The National tribune., 1907-02-14

ment Mr. Reyburn comes of iamlA
which traces its ancestry back tnru I'M
Ohio and Virginia to Scotland II,
father of Mr. Reyburn, William Stuar'
Reyburn was in many ways notable
man He was the pioneer manufactures
of lightning-rods in the United states
being the head of the firm of Reyburn
Hunter & Company, whose establish
ment at Buttonwood and st. Johns st.
Philadelphia, was known thruout tbs
country. John E. Reyburn is still IN
terested in that business.
The elder Reyburn, in addition to be-
ing a manufacturer, was also large
land owner, especially in the Vlclnlty OF
Leavenworth, Kan, where he and MS
family, including young Reyburn, spent
much of their time. The elder Reyburi
was also for two terms member 81
Select Council from the 18th Ward
Philadelphia, in which his son John has
resided within stones throw of the
original parental home, 1920 Green ST..
since 1853. Having built home on
Spring Garden st. (No. 1S20), in loi-,
the elder Reyburn moved from Green
St. and in 1875. having built 1879
Spring Garden St. the family moved
into that home, and there John Edgar
Reyburn has since permanently resided.
Thoro PhiIadelphinn.
Young Reyburn was born in New
Carlisle O., Feb. I, 1S45. He was thers-
fore l3 years of age when the famlls
came TO PHILADELPHIA. At first instruct
ed by a private tutor. John Edgar Key
burn at Is years of age was sent 10 the
celebrated school of Prof. Saunders To-
Gated where the Presbyterian Hospital
now stands at 39th and Market Sts
Thereafter, having been qu1Zzed py N.
B. Brown, a prominent Phlladeipnia
LAWYER, who, by the way, became the
IF Ia Fidelity Trust ana
Safe Deposit Company, he entered the
office of E. Spencer Miller as student
at law. This was in 1867, after some
Interesting war experiences coAcerniiS
which reference will be made hereafter.
From 1857 to 1870 young Reyburn al.
tended the Law Department lectures At
the University of Pennsylvania, from
which he was graduated in June, 1sio.
Before he had attempted seriously to
engage in the practice of the law, IN the
Fall of the very year of his graduatlon
and admission to the bar. he was eject
ed to the Legislature of PennsylVanla
from the 18th Ward. As member OF
the Legislature, following the adoption
of the Constitution of 1874, ne hao
much to do with framing the laws
nutting that Constitution into effect AS
O member and Presiding Officer OF the
Senate of PENNSYLVANIA, and subse-
ouently as a member of Congress, eject
ed to succeed Judge William ID. keiiey'
of "pig iron fame" Mr.. Reyburn's ac-
tivities and public services were note
worthy: but for the present further
mention of them may be passed In OF
der to take up the story of his boy SOL
Sier life in Kansas story that mas
never been printed nor even pupIcE
discussed because his own modesty mas
hitherto forbidden it.
A Reminiscence of John Brown.
The story begins with the elder Rey-
burns visits to Kansas, where his land
Interests were large and where many
Investments were made. 1t was on one
of these visits in 1856 the elder Key
burn landing at night in one or the
frontier towns sought accommodations
at a crude hotel 1t was cold nlsht'
the snow covering the ground, ana no
warm beds TO be had.
.I could not give you room for love
or money" said the hotel man, but
there is an old fellow upstairs In bed'
and If you are satisfied III put you II.
with him. He's all right; little bit OF
crank. but about as clean as anyone
who comes around here.
"All right" said Mr.. Reyburn; I'll
go YOU" It developed next mornina
that the "clean old fellow" was none
other than John Brown, OF Ossawota-
nie. then agitating the people OF Kan
The elder Reyburn helped TO develop
all the country around I1eavenworth.
where at one time in Jackson and Ne
mana Counties. he owned as many as
$4,000 acres. His enterprises included
the first steam ferry on the Missouri
River west of st. Louis. and it was be-
cause of these interests he made semi
annual trips to the West. accompanied
occasionally by his son. He often told
the story of John Brown, and being an
Abolitionist himself, TRANSMITTED some
of the same spirit to the subject or TINS
sketch.
Young Reyburn Volunteers.
In the Fall of 1864 the senior Rey-
burn was in Leavenworth, accompanied
by his family Rumors of a raid upon
Kansas by the Confederate General
Price set the people upon edge 1t was
reported that Price was in missouri
threatening to go thru Kansas. The
Governor of Kansas bestirred himself.
and ali available men were called into
service as militiamen to defend the
State. Fired with the spirit of the oc-
casion and believing II his duty to aid
in protecting the lives and property OF
the State, young Reyburn borrowed
horse and without gun joined one of
the two companies that left Leaven-
worth under the command of the Mayor
of that city, John A. Mcdowell. The
only arms which the young Hldi car
ried was an old saber, too rusty to be
easily drawn from the scabbard. The
two companies leaving Leavenworth
were attached to the 18th Kan. and
were ordered at once into Missouri.
When they reached the border line be-
tween Missouri and Kansas there wer"
signs of dissatisfaction on the part OF
the Kansans, who We're disinciined to go
beyond the lines of their own State.
They argued that their business was
only to protect Kansas, and they had
no right to seek foe in another State.
Young Reyburn, who had been horse
man of some experience, and who was
very popular with the officers, was ap-
pealed to to break up what threatened
TO be disorganizing element. After
consultation with some of his cronies,
he made the dash with them across the
Iine and had the supreme satisfaction
of seeing the entire body of horsemen
follow.
on to Meet the Enemy.
They crost the Big Blue River. Rey-
burn being assigned to the company
which had charge of the ammunition
train After rough experience on tina
march the Kansans reached Independ
ence, Mo, where Reyburn was taken
sick BY this time he had come into
possession of a revolver, thru the use of
which he forced the delivery of much
needed drugs from shopkeeper, who
had been particularly ugly in refusing