The National tribune., 1907-08-29

it's delegation to Saratoga to support
and present the name of Capt. Patrick
| Henry Coney to the National Encamp-
ment for this distinguished honor.
| But a hurried glance at the interest
ing story of the life struggle and splen-
did accomplishments of this gallant,
patriotic American boy. student. SOL
dier. lawyer, officer statesman, editor,
orator, exemplary citizen, forceful,
| fearless exponent and champion of all
| that touches the interest of the soldier
discloses a career thronged with that
admirable quality of vigorous Ameri-
canism that successfully combats ad-
verse fate, turns defeat into victory,
wrests glorious conquest from the jaws
| of disaster in all the avenues of a busy,
active, aggressive, successful profess
sional public and private career and
stamps him as a leader of ideas and
| of men.
| Born at Newberry, VT, March 10,
1S4S. a soldier at the age Of Is years,
| in Co. II, 111th n. Y, serving after
enlistment in the engagements of that
regiment that lost 249 OF. of $50 fight
ing men of the line Cor y II per cent?
ON Seminary Ridge. at Gettysburg, in
repulsing the attack of Pickett; later
| serving as dispatch bearer for Gen.
McDougall and Gen. Nelson A. Miles.
Severely wounded at the battle of
Peach Orchard, in front of Petersburg,
Va, June 16, 1864, he continued with
command until surrender of Lee, and
was then transferred to Battery II, 4th
y. Y. II. a, and mustered out Oct 5,
1865, at Hart's Island, n. Y. The tes
tmonials of his comrades, including
Gems. Miles and McDougali, of the part
borne by Capt Coney, speak of him
'as a brave and gallant soldier, merit
ing high esteem"
Graduating at Walworth, n. Y, in
1867, this resolute man reached Leav-
cnworth in April of that year, then a
garrison point of prominence on the
border of rapidly advancing civiliZa-
ton, stranger in strange land, and
Immediately entered upon brilliant
business career.
Among the young fighting blood that
set their faces to the West after the
war, Capt. Coney established the Ma
tional Banner, the first soldier paper
in the West, subsequently the Knight
and Soldier, and later on the Western
Veteran. His early and continuous at
tachment to the Grand Army of the
Republic is as follows:
Joined Custer Post, 6, Leavenworth,
Kan, 1870.
Reorganization of Lincoln Post, l.
Topeka, Kan.
Organized Rice Post (now Topeka
Post. I'D, Topeka, Kan.
Commander Rice Post, II, Topeka,
Kan
Transferred to Lincoln Post, 1, To-
pciia. Kan, and now member.
For 20 years a member and attend
ant of National Encampments.
Department Commander, Department
of Kansas, two years, breaking a pre-
| sedent of 26 years standing.
Under the stimulating touch. inspir-
ing eloquence and magnetic influence
of Commander Coney the Department
of Kansas has felt the impress of mis-
strong personality and leadership, az
the faithful recruiting officer, as is
shown in the gains made in two years,
from all sources. aggregating 4,S00.
Legislation was needed, and as the re-
suit of a vigorous campaign the follow
ing bills prepared by this man of ac-
ton were placed upon our statute book.
to wit
l. Strengthening Soldiers Preference
Law.
?. Authorizing cities to appropriate
money to defray expense for proper
observance of Memorial Day under aus
pices OF Grand Army of the Republic
3. Securing $1,000 per annum for De-
partment Headquarters.
A. Amending Soldiers Burial law" c,
as to include the wife or widow.
D. Providing for display of the United
States flag on and in the school houses
or his state. and a course of patriotic
instruction in such schools prepared un
der direction of State Superintendent
Of Public Instruction
8. stablishing birthday of Abraham
Lincoln as a legal holiday
Z. For the better government of Sol,
diers' Home and Mother Bickerdykc
Annex.
s. Providing for burial of deceased
soldiers of Spanish-American War.
8. Five thousand dollar appropria-
ton to transcribe and preserve military
records of reSimental organizations in
Kansas.
10. Reduced railroad rates and fares
to members of G.. A. r.
IL. An act to prevent desecration of
Memorial Day. providing penalty of not
less than $500 and not more than
$4,000 for each violation.
In State 400 miles long and 200 |
wide thousands of miles have been
travelled. hundreds of Campfires and |
Reunions have been charmed and in
spired by his eloquence and over 10000
pieces of mail sent out from Depart
ment Headquarters
A member of the bar of Supreme
Court of the United States, Federal and
State; practice before all Departments
at Washington, brilliant and logical in |