davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times., 1906-05-20
Served at Antietop,

Young Tindan's first chance 70 hear
the whistle of the Confederate RIA
ball and the roar OF artillery was .,
the day before the battle Of Antietao,
The next day his regiment was called
upon to make the opening charge on
Bloody Lane; day. he will tell YOU
from behind his desk at the District
building. where the pen has long sup
planted the tools Of war. with its still
lingering cries and groans of the diving
and wounded. viii live in his memory
forever. In this fight. the lad. though
he was among the first TO cross the
wall Of the dead OF both the blue ana
the gray filling the gap of Bloody
Lane, and saw his comrades drop bv
the score all around him, come ont nv
a miracle unscathed. save for a slight
wound on the neck and one on the
hand.
That night, though worn out through
exhaustion and heartsick for bome
The Washington times., 1906-05-20

bulldog" OF the yea with the yam
kee" name and manned by the wearers
Of the gray. poked its ironc!ad nose
out OF the channel OF the James and
began 70 play havoc with the Union
squadron.
While the boys In blue lined the
shore and watched this iron-sheathed
monster ram and sink the proud Cum
berland and the stanch Congress. and
the Inflated ships. hghting back.
belched tons OF round shot against the
impenetrabie sides OF the Merrimac.
only to disappear beneath the blue
waters of the bay, no one among them
prayed harder than did young Tindan
to be given a chance to see the whites
OF the "Rebs" eyes. The chance came
after the little Ericsson monitor bsd
appeared to turn the tide OF defea,
into victory. Early in MAY OF that
year young TindaIi's regiment was
ordered to take part in the can,ura ~
Norfolk' where they witnessed the
total destruction OF the Merrinso -.
its own crew.
The Washington times., 1906-05-20

period He recalled in vivid detail and
with significant contrast the last sum
mcr sojOurn OF President OIlvarra in
Puerto Rey. when his appearance at
their fiestas was the signal for thun-
dering vivas Of love and appreciation.
The first public expression of senu-
mcnt from the people that day fol-
lowed \ low. sustained murmur went
among them like the surf rolling along
the shore.
Ten dollars to a dinner at the Saint
Charles remarked Mr. Vincent.
that rouge wins"
Il never bet agornst my own inter
ests.' said Captain Cronin. lighting
a cigar. Long -w:Gded old boy. for
his age. What's he talking about?"
My Spanish replied Vincent.
runs about ten words TO the minute;
his is something around two hundred.
Whatever he's saying. he's getting
them warmed up"
Friends and brothers. General
Plar was saying, could l reach out
rsay hand this day across the lamenta-
lie silence 0f the grave 10 Olivarra
the Good 10 the ruler who was one
of you. whose tears fell when you
sorrowed. and whose smile followed
your joy-I would bring him back TO
you. but-Clivarra is dead-dead az
the hands of craven assassin
The speaker turned and gazed bold
II into the carriage of the President
Wis arm remained extended alOft as
(. to sustain his peroratiOn- The
President was listening. aghaSt, at
this remarkable address Of welcome
lie WAS sunk back upon his seat.
trembling with rage and dumb sur
prise. his dark hands tightly gripping
the carriage cushions.
who says that Oliyarra Is dead?"
suddenly cried the speaker, his voice,
old he was. sounding like battle
trumpet. His body lies IN the grave.
but. TO the people he loved he has be-
queathed his spirit-yes. mOre-his
learning. his courage. his kindness
yes, mOre-his youth, his image-peo-
The Washington times., 1906-05-20
CONTINUED from Third Page.)

CONTINUED from Third PaEe.)
guished citizen of the republic Hero
Of three wars and innumerabIe revo-
lutions. he was an honored guest at
European courts and camps An eio-
quent speaker and a friend TO the
people. he represented the highest
type Of the Costarag guans.
Holding in his hand the gilt keys OF
Casa Morena. he began his address in
a historical form. touching upon each
administration and the advance of
civiliza tion and prosperity from the
first dim striving after liberty down 70
the present times. Arriving az the
regime Of President Zarilla. at which
point. according TO precedent. he
should have delivered a eulogy upon
its wise conduct and the happiness Of
the people. General Pillar paused.
Then he silently held up the bunch Of
keys high above his head. with his
eyes closely regarding il. The ribbon
with which they were bound futtered
in the breeze.
1t still blows" cried the speaker.
exultantIy. "Citizens OF Costaragu
give thanks to the saints this night
that our air is still free
Thus disposing of Zarilla's admins
tration. he abruptly reverted to that of
OIivarra. Costaragua's most popular
ruler OIivarra had been assassinated
nine wears before while in the prime
of life and usefulness. a faction Of
the Liberal party led b. Zarilla him
self had been accused Of the deed.
Whether guilty or not. 1t was eight
years before the ambitious ard schem-
ing Zarilla had gained his goal
Upon this theme General Pillars elo-
duence was loosed. He drew the pic
ture of the benefcent Olivarra with
loving hand. He reminded the people
Of the peace. the security and the hap
piness they had enjoyed during that
The Washington times., 1906-05-20
A WdIkiny Encyclopedia
" X

"A memory better than the whole
array of District municipal archives"
Is the way an official once spoke of
him. And when you hear this your
eyes open in wonder at his seemingly
linitless capacity to store away even
the fragmentary details of the Dis
trict's departmental operation, corre-
spondence. and what not.
When Congress. in 1874. gave the Dis
trict or Columbia a government to be
guided by three Commissioners. this
same act created the office OF secretary
OF the board. That executive trio look
ed about them for an available man
70 fill this important berth and Sc
lected DR.. William Tindal. AS secre-
tary to Mayor Saylis ]. Bowen and
territorial governors Henry d. Cooke
and Alexander Shepherd, they knew
that he possessed the qualifications Of
the man they needed. Thirty-two years
have passed since then. and each of
long succession of Commissioners has
realized in turn the wisdom OF that
early selection. Each ot there city
fathers has in time come to know him
more as guide, counselor and friend
than simply as executive secretary"
and has learned to value his advice
when shaping the legislative measures
which they have asked Congress to
give the District as laws.
Out Of the peculiar environment OF
governmental machinery there rises in
time an inner circle Of Indispensable"
officials. AS necessary as may be the
thousand and one others who make up
the rank and file. the presence of this
limited few. usually to be counted on
the fingers Of either hand. big and lit
tie 1t is to this class. then. that DR..
Tindam distinctly belongs; for during
this thirty-two years of service every
communication and document Of i'm
portance which has ernanated from the
mind OF Commissioner to be forward
ed to the District committees in Con-
gress has known his familiar sigma
ture.
The Washington times., 1906-05-20

pie Of COst-ra qua. have you forgotten
tie son Of Olivarra2"
CrOnin md Vincent. watching
closely. saw Dicky MaIoney suddenly
raise his hat. tear of his shock of
red han, leap UP the steps and stand
minister OF war laid his arm across
the young man : shoulders All who
had known President Olivarra saw
again his same Hon-like pose, the
the same high forehead with the
peculiar line OF the clustering, crisp
black hair.
General Pillar was an experienced
orator. He seized the moment of
breathless silence that preceded the
"Citizens OF Costaragua." he trum-
peted. holding aloft tthe keys 10 Casa
Morena. Il an here to deliver these
keys-the keys TO your homes and lib
erty-to your chosen President. Shall
/ deliver them 10 EnricO Olivarra's 5 as
sassin. or o his SOM
'Olivarra. Ohvarraf the crowd
shrieked and howled. All vociferated
the magic name-men, women, chill
dren. and the parrots.
And the enthusiasm was not con-
fined to the blood of the plebs- Colonel
Rocas asCended the steps and laid his
sword theatrically at young Ramon
Olivarra' : feet. Four members of the
cabinet embraced him. Captain Cruz
gave n command and twenty of El
CientO HuilandO dismounted and ar
ranged themselves in a Gordon about
the steps OF Casa Morena
But Ramon Olivarra seized that mo-
ment 10 prove himself a born genius
and politician. He waved those sol
diers aside. and descended the steps
to the street. There, without losing
his dignity or the distinguished ele-
gance that the loss OF his red hair
brought him, he took the prOletariat 10
his bOsom-thS barefoOted the dirty,
Indians Caribs. babies, beggars. old.
young. saints. soldiers, and sinners
he missed none Or them
While this act Of the drama was be-
ing produced the scene-shifters had
been busy at the duties assigned them
Two Of Cruzs dra goons had seized
the bridal reins of President Zarilla's
The Washington times., 1906-05-20
Dy4fziaw HndaU

Abernethy, in connection with the
dead there are lies. and ID lies.
and medical statistics"
After the shattered forces Of the
Confederacy laid down It's arms at Ap-
pomattox DR.. Tindan was mustered
out with the rest and came at once to
washington 20 see what the Capital
City had to offer in the way of en-
rloynent 70 youth whose career was
yet to be made. II had been his
thought to tollow the advice Of FIor-
are Greeley. Young man. go West, &c
but At this time the increasing sge
Of his parents told him that his d Ity
lay in the settled East. and here he
remained.
The Washington times., 1906-05-20
X T
Joined the District Republicans

Joined the District Republicans
New came his participation in the
excitement and turmoil incident TO tt-c
introduction OF the ballot box into
the District of Columbia. An unfo--
tunate period. Or. Tindan thinks. and
ne hesltates 20 give his Endorsement
OF it's return. Hailing originally from
political fortunes with the Republican
party. and was an enthusiastic anc
partisan supporter of its policies. both
.-tGonaI and local. at that period.
IHr efforts. then. were directed to
make the policies OF the Republican
party predominant in District affairs.
A suffrage that gave the negro. just
freed from centuries of slavery and
wi'h an untutored mind clouded In the
darkness OF ignorance. unrestricted lib
erty. turned into license and rapine
by the most vicious Of that race. was
bitterly resented by some of the best
OF the Capitals citizens They had
given their sympathies without re-
serve to the cause OF e Union during
The war. but In a condition which
gave this recently freed human chat
tel the opportunity. because Of his
ever increasing numbers, to rule hiss
late master. they saw only a menac-
ing peril. The city. in consequence.
Yas divided into warning parties, anu
The Washington times., 1906-05-20

Although slight Of figure and not pos
sessed Of any marked degree OF physi-
cal strength. and. if anything, given
more to scholastics than to thoughts
of the military, when Lincoln issued
his first call for troops young TindalI
was among the first in his State 10 re-
-spond. The fathers emphatic denun-
citation OF the slave traffic had planted
the seed. and this mere slip OF a boy
stole away to the nearest recruiting
office and offered his service 10 the
cause of what he thought was right.
Here came his frst disappointment.
''Too small and under age" the grun
recruiting orieer told him. He held
back his tears and watched with long
ing eyes the first company Of Whining
ton youth. all his schooImates ana
boyhood friends. depart for the front.
But his chance came when the sec
ond call 10 arms was announced, ana
the people of the Union saw that the
path before them lay through a wider
and bloodier path Donning a blue
uniform and shouldering a nuskek
almost as large as himself. he bade
good-by 10 loving mother and A sad
faced father and went with his reSim-
ment to Fort Monroe. then the as
sembling point OF the army. 10 supper,
General McClella1 in the memora bic
pcninsular camnaisn. Here he sot his
first sight OF real warfare. although
the baptism Of fire was not to come
until later. It was while the troops
wtre impatiently waiting at Fort Non
rne TO be Transported across the Ches-
apeake Bay to the Virginia shore that
the Confederate ram Merrimac, that
The Washington times., 1906-05-20
.M6g

naained at his desk. 10 take the oath Of
the three District Commissioners just
ushered in. and to guide and advise
them with the untried form Of govern
ment A few days prior TO this he was
tie OF Iy official eft with even a sem
blancs Of executive authority at the
Offices Of the old District government,
then loca.ed at Seventeenth and Penn
syivania a-enue
The Washington times., 1906-05-20
n
Volunteered to Fioht

William Tindali. the boy. WAS born
in Wilmington, Del. of a Scotch-Irish
mother and a Quaker-Baptist father.
Here he spent his boyhood days and
received his early education in public
and private schools, and learned on
his mothers lips what has stood since
for a truer and better training than
all the rest. At that time the passions
OF men were being aroused over the
question OF slavery. Congress was daily
the scene OF bitter wrangies and strug-
giles between the parties for and
against, and over every city. village
and hamlet in the entire land there be-
gan to appear that ominous storm
cloud of secession, which later burst
in the turmoil of four years bloody
strife.
The Washington times., 1906-05-20

r,-.es others formed a close guard,
and they gallOped OF With the Jyrant
and his two malOdOrOus ministers No
do1Ibt A place had been prepared for
tter, There are quite a number OF
weII-barred stone apartments IN puerto
ssRo,pe wins" said Mr.. Vincent.
calmly lighting another cigar
watching the vicinity Of the steps for
Good bcyr' he exclaimed, suddenly.
as II relieved. Il was wondering II ne
was going TO forget MS haIhIeeh Aa-
Young Olivarra had reascended the
steTs and spoken a few words 70 Cen
eral Pillar That distinguished veteran
descended 10 the walk and approached
Pasa. Who-Still stood, calm and Won
der-eyed. where DiCky had left her.
With his hat In his hand, and his
medals and decorations SHINING on MS
breast. the general gave her his arm
and they went up the steps together.
And then Ramon Olivsrra stepped for
ward and took both her hands before
all the people.
out afresh everywhere Captain Cronin
and Mr.. Vincent turned and walked
back toward the landing where the
ships gig was waiting for them
''There'H be another Presidente
proclamada In the morning" said Vim
cent?. musinCly. LAS a rule. they are
not as reliable a. the elected ones. But
this yOungster seems to have good stun
in him. He planned and maneuvered
the whole campaign Olivarra's widow.
you know, was wealthy. She gave the
boy eight years of the best education
In the States The company hunted
him up and backed him IN the little
game"
Its glorious thing" said Cronin,
half ieStingly. Ito be able 10 dis charge
a government and insert one Of your
own chosing. these days"
ITS business stated Vincent.
stopping to offer his cigar to a monkey
swinging from a lime tree. -'and THAI
Is what moves the world Of today.
That extra real on the price Of bana-
mas had 10 20. We took the quickest
way of removing tt
copyrighted. 1901. BY Ainslee Magazins ca
nACE EUEUEN
The Washington times., 1906-05-20

careers under DR.. TindaITs official eye,
as years went by learned to know and
to love him FOR the innumerabIe little
helps" he gave them over rough spots
along the way. Perhaps the two best
examples Of this guidance and tutor
ship to be found in the District ser
vice today are Assessor Hopeweu II.
Darnellle and Louis c. Wilson. secre-
tary 10 Commissioner West Both OF
these men learned the rudiments Of
governmental machinery in Dr. Tn
daTs executive school. In fact. his
offices today are regarded by his
boys" as the gateway to higher en-
deavor.
To the thousands OF District people
whose affairs at some time bring them
in touch with thei- local government.
lr. TinGau is known as a courteous.
quiet and resourcefuI official always
intent On giving them the benefit OF his
wide information gathered from life
long association with District affairs.
THE Goldn Rule OriclaF' he might
be ap;ly termed, for "in doing unto
others as ne would have them do unto
him." he believes IN cutting and slash
ing miles OF useless red tape whenever
the occasion demands.
Since his graduation n medicine
from Georgetown College IN 1863. and IN
law from the same university IN 1852.
DR.. TindaI1 IN his leisure moments has
turned his attention TO the world OF
letters HIS best effort IN this d.
rection resulted IN the publication Of
his Origin and Government Of the
District Of Columbia accepted as an
authority on local municipal history.
He has contributed miscellaneous
papers and writings TO the Columbia
Historical Society. OF which he is an
active member. as we'll as many poetic
contributions to current magazines;
and almost any evening he can be
found IN the Iamp-lit library Of his
home on Washington Heights working
away at some new literary thought as
though his Mes success depended up
on It.
Outside OF the District government
as well as inside. he counts his friends
by the legion. No one 70 whom the
doctor Is a familiar figure ever fails TO
md in his genial smile and CHEEKY
greeting the warmth OF something with
A truer ring than simply a passing ex-
preston. And TO even such light
saIutatIon as Hello. Doctor. How's
the District budget7''-which IS by no
means unfamiliar TO him-hs never
falls 20 respond In kind
Since this slender. fair-haired VIII
mIngton youth came &c make the Dis
trict his home more than thirty-fvs
wears ago, his life has been one OF
model citizenship. Unswerving IN
honesty, and with q hxity OF purpose
and a devotion to duty, mixed with q
calm philosophy born Of gentle train
ing. he has endeared himself 10 all who
know him as he Is. When your troubles
or YOUR neighbor's take you 70 the DIS
t-ict building Jney always become MS
be they great or small
The Washington times., 1906-05-20

have at some time found
themselves in the course of a days
business. WREN their affairs have dove
tailed those Of the District govern
ment. within the walls Of the District
building. and have stopped some hur-
ryine clerk or messenger to inquire
where This matter can be straight
ened OUT or that person could De
found that they marvel at one man
being able to carry the whole load
The man to whom the inquirer Is d.
rected Is Dr.. William Tindall. secre-
tary TO the Board of District Commis-
.,orsrs otherwise "the conciliator Of
the public's troubles the tracer OF
DELAYED documents the Districts
bureau Of municipal information"
and the intermediary between the
three-cornered government OF the Dis
trict and the public" Or. Tindan is
somewhat past nfty-fve. rather slen-
der and compact in build. who might.
perhaps, in the matter Of stature. be-
cause nature gave him no great height.
be overlooked in crowd OF six-foot-
ers. Two fine gray eyes look out from
under shaggy brows that are turn
ing and seem 10 smile back at you
when you have a question to PROFOUND
while a dropping mustache. tinged. too.
with a suspicion of gray. covers
well-shaped mouth.
This man sits at big. fat-topped
desk over In one corner of room on
the fifth floor OF the District Build
ing. and when you approach to ask
a question draws up a chair and in
vites you to sit down. From over
the top OF rimless glasses he directs
his kindly gaze at you, as II 20 lessen
the weight Of the mental problem you
carry.
The Washington times., 1906-05-20
'ASK T(NDAlL; tit yNOylc'' ss;ss g; s;sss. e

an order came from corps headquarters
for the young soldier and three others
TO remain on duty TO give succor to
the wounded ard count the dead. -Four
years later the man who gave this
seeming harsh order. then in command
OF the corps and by brevet a major
general. received at the hands Of this
same young soldier. now known as
Secretary Tindsn. an official paper per-
hitting him to become a resident of
the District Almshouse. Strange as the
prsnks OF fate may seem. the former
common soldier had risen in this time
to an ofhcial position next In import
ance to the highest municipal officer
himself. while the corps commander.
sodden and wasted through drink. "a
become sappncant for poorhouse
aims
Although IL appeared little else than
grim humor at the tine. Or. Tsndan
now tells a story OF the reception he
received At the hands OF this same
officer that night when he heard the
number OF dead on the field and found
a discrepancy OF several hundred be-
tween the report OF the soldier and
that OF the medical inspector.
What" growled the general. when
he received the report. that number
don't agree with your superior's re-
port. But then" he mused. using one
OF the maxims of the famous DR..
The Washington times., 1906-05-20
Has Serued 80 Years

In his position OF secretary to the
board. the little man behind the big
oaken desk In the executive offices,
as he seems 10 a visitor al the District
building. has remained through the
vicissitudes Of thirty-twO years OF
official life. watching the ever-chang-
ing scenes in which have been ushered
The Washington times., 1906-05-20

torn by bitter factional fights. Just
as each man loved his liberty and de-
Tended the sanctity of his home, he
fought for supremacy in this troubled
political arena. in order that his own
hand might shape the city's ordi-
nances.
II was into this stormy whirlpool
that Or. Tindall first plunged. and that
The Washington times., 1906-05-20

he kept his head above water. he will
tell you. is due TO the teaching of a
Scotch-Irish mother. who believed
honesty of purpose and defense OF
principle better than all else.
The Washington times., 1906-05-20

EE DR.. Tindall: he'll at
tend 20 your matter.
So often has this reply
fallen on the ears of
thousands of people who
have at some time found
The Washington times., 1906-05-20

PAGE ELEVEN