Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1908-08-22
Y4igtory doean't alwaya repeat It-

contrary Notwithstanding. The &C
Cepted authorities agree also that his
tory does not always deal strictly in
hard facts. Bits of fiction have been
dropped in from time to time. or un-
pleasant truths CLOSED over, II not
wholly omitted, simply to save the
popular fancy from q shock. Histo-
rians are wont to excuse this kind Of
lnaccuracy on the ground Of poetic
llconRe and let It go at that.
Although standard historians make
40 mention OF It, there 10 reason to
believe that General Wolfe was shot
by one of his own men in the battle
with Montcalm before Quebec. He
tell early In the conflict. Edward
3. Ellis, of Montclair, N. j., for many
years a profound student OF history,
furnishes probably the most accurate
account OF the killing of Wolfe that
IL to be found outside OF the histories.
He does not Vouch for the truth of
| Il. but gives 1t for what 1t IL worth
and thinks It merits consideration.
II have no doubt many will not
be willing to accept what say about
the manner OF General Wolfes
DEATH" says Mr.. Ellis, "but at the
same time think that even the most
skeptical must admit that my version
of It may have foundation in fact.
Here is my authority for It:
"My father was born up the State
In 1908, and lived to an advanced
age. When was very small boy
/ recall that one day he pointed out
to me q faded old house not far dis
tAnt from our old home, and said:
There once lived the man who shot
General Wolfe
"Ot course this incident of my
early life 10 rather vague, but that 1t
actually happened I cannot doubt, for
I have always been blessed with a
retentivs memory. AS l recall now,
my father said that the man who
lived in the house he pointed out to
me was named Smith, but as to that
there is some doubt, since he died
long before my time, and his family
was lost trace Of.
But that my father knew and re-
membered him we'll cannot be doubt
ed. He and others in the neighbor-
hood often listened to the old SOL
dier's account of the shooting Of
Wolfe. know that my father
heard the story from his own lips
many times and firmly believed it. l
know also that my father was rigid
ly truthful, and that ne and his
neighbors without exception accepted
the venerable soldiers statements as
trustworthy.
my father handed the story down
to me Just as he got 1t. The soldier
said that he and a brother several
years his Junior were serving as pri-
Yates in General Wolfe's army at the
time of the siege of Quebec. One
day letter was brought to them
through the lines apprising them Of
the fact that their mother was at the
point Of death at the family homo not
many leagues distant. The letter
begged them to make haste II they
wished to see their mother alive.
1.-THE brothers applied for a brief
furlough, but In the extremity of the
circumstances, when every man was
needed In the ranks, this was re-
fused. The elder brother then
begged that the younger one be per-
mitted to see their mother, pledging
his own life that the brother would
return to the army without delay.
But this plea also was refused.
THAT night the younger brother
stealthily slipped through the picket
lines with the assistance Of some of
his comrades and fastened to the
bedside of his mother. He barely
took time to say a last goodbye be-
fore setting out ON his return to the
army before Quebec. He Fejoined
his company several days before the
battle, but already he had been re-
ported as q deserter and was hailed
before a drumhead court-martial.
THE young soldier was speedily
found guilty and sentenced to be
shot. General Wolfe himself issued
the decree Of death. The old man
told my father that, with the refine
ment of cruelty worthy of an Apache,
General Wolfe compelled him to be
one of the firing squad. This is a
point In the venerable soldiers story
that is extremely difficult of belief
and 1t may we'll be that at the sunset
of his life he grew morbid and came
to believe a mere fancy that had
grown up in his mind.
Even to-day can recall wildly
the closing words of his dramatic
story as my father repeated them to
me.
"'T don't know whether l shot
General Wolfe or not the old man
was wont to say, but do know that
at close range / took deliberate ain
at him and saw him fall when
pulled the trigger"
The last words of great men In his
tory have ever been fruitful source
OF hero worship. For example, where
is the schoolboy In all the wide coun.
try whose pulses have not Quickene6
at the story of the death Of Captain
Lawrence, commander of the lucklesl
frigate Chesapeake in the battle witt
the British ship Shannon of Boston
In the war OF 1927
Don't give up the shipl" cried the
isdomitable sea fighter, according tC
all of the standard school histories
Highly dramatic and eminently ap
propriate to the occasion, as mus
be admitted, but not strictly in &C
cord with facts. There 10 excellen
reason to suppose that Lawrence'l
historic last words" were the crea
ton OF Boston editors fertile brain
When the news Of the Chesapeake'I
capture and the death of her famous
commander reached the city the peo
pie were fred with excitement. TIT
editor was put to 1t to give a ORA
matte account of the battle tina
should thrill his patriotic readers.
what were his last words?" h
demanded of those who were giving