The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1906-07-05

Legless Man-When Henderson Was
shot-Fond of Music and Liked a
Rousing Chorus.
AprOpos OF Mr.. Henderson's war ex-
perience the following story was told
by one Of his colleagues recently, which
Illustrates as we'll as any of the stories
concerning him his ready sympathy
and tact, says writer in Leslie's
Weekly: In the days when Dave He'll
derson was raw young lieutenant,
and before he had lost leg in the
service of his country, he was called to
q man who had been mortally wound
ed by the explosion of a gun. He found
the poor fellow lying on the grass
swearing blue streak at the unfortu-
nate accident that would cost him his
life, while callow young chaplain
kneeling beside the wounded soldier
vainly eXpOstulated with him for such
blasphemy and besought him to pray,
since he was about to be called into the
presence of his Maker. The chaplain's
sxhortations had no effect upon the suf,
tering soldier, however, who continued
to swear more loudly than ever.
make way" ordered Henderson,
and kneelfng by the side of the soldier
he said in a voice as tender as a wo-
my brave fellow?''
The soldier looked up wistfully at the
sound of the sympathetic words. "I'm
afraid it's all up" he said family.
well, if it is, my man, it must be a
happiness and satisfaction to you to
know that you died for your country.
You are just as much Of a hero as
though you had been killed in the field
Of battle, and your name will always
be revered. God help you, my brave
boyr'
bis rs that sou Is that SOP murmured
the dying soldier That's a comfort,
sir; it's great comfort and, holding
The hand Of his young officer, the poor
lad died.
Mr.. Henderson once told how he lost
his leg as follows:
"a good many people ask me how I
lost my leg. Generally / tell them,
but always think of the story of the
Iowan who had both legs cut off by q
buzzsaw. One day he was riding in a
railroad train, and an old lady who sat
across the aisle from him stared at his
stumps pretty hard. Finally she said:
Pardon me, sir, but will you tell
me how you lost your legs?'
No, l WON'T the legless man Ie-
piled. The old lady sighed and settled
back in her seat. Pretty soon she be-
gan staring again, and, unable to con-
ceal her curiosity, she pleaded:
I wish you would telf me how yuu
lost your legs
'oThe man relented.
"'Well,' he said, I'll tell you if you
will promise not to ask me any more
questions. Now, mind, you can't ask
another question:
81 PROMISE said the old lady in a
culver of excitement.
"'Well,' said the legless man. 7 had
them chawed OFF,"
Bremner Henderson was a lieutenant
In the Twelfth Iowa at the battle Of
Corinth he noticed a soldier whose gun
had been clogged and which refused to
work. The poor fellow, in the belief
that he would surely be killed with a
useless weapon in his hand, became
woefully excited and began to tremble
as with an ague. you Internal FOOL"
shouted Henderson, forgetting conven-
tonalities for the moment. Here,
why don't you pick the tube out with
pin, same as you do when you're
shooting prairie chickens?" The words
prairie chickens in the ear Of this ma
tive of Iowa sounded so good that it
immediately brought him to himself.
He at once cleaned out his gun and
went into the fight. At the end Of the
battle the man who had cleaned out
his gun had been shot in the hip and
Henderson had received the shot in
his left foot which compelled him to
wear an artificial leg. When the two
happened to meet afterward Colonel
Henderson said, 'Well, old boy, that
prairie chicken saved your life If it
didn't your hip!"
One winter certain person with an
ak to grind in the house took rooms at
the Normandie that he might be near
MIR. Henderson and, if possible, gain
his friendship and secure his influence.
Soon after he had established himself
at the hotel he was fortunate enough to
be Invited by one of the guests to a
little supper after the theater at which
the speaker was the principal figure.
The company was gay one, and short
ly before separating the speaker burst
forth with 1.-THE Thinking Of the Banjo
Is the Only Sound 1 Hear" everybody
Joining In the chorus with a gusto save
the man with an ak to grind, who sat
dumfounded, as though hypnotized by
the unusual scene. The chief singer did
not seem to observe the strangers ST.
lence, but when, day or two later,
some one proposed bringing him to call
ON the speaker the latter said he was