The National tribune., 1908-09-24
THE NATIONAL WASHINGTON THURSDAY SEPTEMBER

generous-hearted man. He was first n
drummer boy and then telcgraphes, in
the war of the rebellion. and he gained
honored right to be buric.l in Arling-
ton. where he was laid te rest last week,
after dying in Chicago, alone and among
strangers. Mr.. Coyle had been news
paper man in many different States.
and many a young man owed his start
in life to the generosity of man who
never knew the worth of dollar. III
he had one 1t was of just enough value
to get him and his friends something
that they could enjoy together. In his
later years Mr.. Coyle was little down
on his luck, but he died smiling. He
did not know how to frown. He was
at his best in the boom days of the
great West, where as q promoter he
helped numberless men to fortunes, but
never was able to accumulate anything
for himself. The writer remembers him
when he was at his best in the late
sos, when his open hand and generous
hospitality to newspaper people made
things a mighty sight brighter for them
than did the editors of the papers they
were working for. He was about the
first "press agent" as that Office is now
known, and first attached himself in
that capacity to p. T. Barnum's Circus.
He died of cancer, and because of his
long connection with the theatrical
world as a press agent his funeral ex-
penses were paid from the actors fund.
Some little apprehension is being
caused in military circles by the break
ing out of cholera in the Philippines.
Some 81 cases have been reported in
Manila and one of the transports, the
Sheridan, was detained in port because
case was found aboard ship just as
they were about to leave, and had to
wait in quarantine for disinfection.
A man died in Washington the other
day who had lived an eventful life, in
deed William Henry Piles was nearly
SO years old at the time of his death.
Up to the time of his fatal illness he
was remarkably active, both mentally
and physically, performing light work
about his farm and attending to other
matters of business. He is survived by
four sons and two daughters.
Mr.. Piles had much to do with the
construction of the famous Cabin John
Bridge He was in charge of n gang of
so men who worked on the structure.
He was fond of telling that, while the
bridge was being built, he was sum-
moned before Jefferson Davis, then
Secretary of War, and how, after he had
become incensed by a remark made by
Davis, he used some strong language
before the Secretary, whereupon the
latter threatened to box his ears. which
Piles dared him to do. They afterward
became good friends, and Mr.. Piles
remained in Government employ for
many years.
Another incident he often recalled
was his seeing President John Quincy
Adams throw the first shovelful of dirt
broken in the construction of the Ches-
apeake e. Ohio Canal. Mr.. Piles said
President Adams removed his collar
and necktie, put the shovel in the
ground, and threw the dirt over his
shoulder. The point at which work was
begun ON the canal, according to Mr..
Piles, was near an old magazine, close
to the border line between Maryland
and the District.
President Lincoln figured in another
incident in Mr.. Piles's life. He said the
President drove out one day toward
Cabin John, and without disclosing his
identity approached him and questioned
him concerning some Government work.
Not knowing who his interrogation
was, Mr.. Piles gave blunt answer, and
Mr.. Lincoln drove on. That evening
he learned it was President Lincoln to
whom he had been speaking. The Presi-
dent happened out that way soon after,
whereupon Mr.. Piles took occasion to
apologize for his bluntness on the pre-
vious occasion. The President accepted
at courteously, and friendship was
formed which lasted until the death of
Mr.. Lincoln.
By an order issued at the War De-
partment a reward of $50 will be paid
in all cases where deserter is deliv-
IL .ft- =.
military post, or at such other place as
may be designated for his delivery BY
proper military authority.
The order provides that the amount
shall include full consideration for all
expenses incurred in such apprehen-
sion and delivery. In special cases, and
in the discretion of the Secretary of
War, the amount of the reward may be
reduced.
The statement is made at the Patent
Office that the record of patents issued
since the first one was recorded, Jan.
Is, 1896, up to the present time shows
q total of over 100000.
The first patent recorded was issued
to j. Beverly Allen for Improvement
in box for packing tobacco" During
the first year of the Patent Office lie
were issued.
Mrs. Charles w. Fairbanks, former
President-General of the National So
ciety of the Daughters of the American
Revolution, and wife of Vice President
Fairbanks, is quite ill at the home of
relatives in Marysville, o. Mrs. Fair.
banks had gone to Marysyille to at
tend the wedding of her niece, Miss
Cornelia Cole Sellers, who was named
for Mrs. Fairbanks. The condition Of
the distinguished patient is not consiG-
cred dangerous. Mrs. Fairbanks has
nor been in the best of health for q
year or more.
Gen. Miles has again suffered loss by
death, and this time it is his only re-
manning sister, Mrs. Colgate Hoyt Mrs.
Hoyt lived at Center Island, near Oys-
ter Bay, and had been i'll for a long
time. Another sister died just few
weeks ago.