The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1908-08-14


self, the time-worn axiom to the
contrary notwithstanding. The ac-
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 I'M
pleasant truths CLOSED over, If not
wholly omitted, simply to save the
popular fancy from shock Histo-
rians are wont to excuse this kind of
inaccuracy on the ground of poetic
license and let it go at that.
Although standard historians make
believe that General Wolfe was shot
by one of his own men in the battle
with Montcalm before Quebec. He
fell early in the conflict. Edward
s. 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
Is to be found outside of the histories.
He does not vouch for the truth of
it, but gives it for what it is worth
and thinks it merits consideration.
Il have no doubt many will not
be willing to accept what I say about
the manner of General Wolfe's
DEATH" says Mr.. Ellis, but at the
same time l think that even the most
skeptical must admit that my version
of 1t may have foundation in fact.
Here is my authority for it:
MY father was born up the State
In 1903, and lived to an advanced
age. When was a very small boy
/ recall that one day he pointed out
to me a faded old house not far dis
tant from our old home, and said:
There once lived the man who shot
General Wolfe
''Of course this incident Of my
early life is rather vague, but that II
actually happened l cannot doubt, for
/ have always been blessed with q
retentive memory. AS l recall now
my father said that the man who
lived in the house he pointed out tc
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 oil
Wolfe. know that my father
heard the story from his own lips
many times and firmly believed it.
know also that my father was rigid.
ly truthful, and that ne and hi:
neighbors without exception accepted
the venerable soldiers statements as
trustworthy.
MY father handed the story down
to me Just as he got it. 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 oil
the fact that their mother was at the
point of death at the family home no;
many leagues distant. The letter
begged them to make haste IL they
wished to see their mother alive.
The brothers applied for a briei
furlough, but in the extremity of the
circumstances. when every man wa:
needed in the ranks. this was re
fused. The elder brother ther
begged that the younger one be per,
mitted to see their mother. pledgins
his own life that the brother would
return to the army without delay
But this plea also was refused.
That night the younger brothe,
stealthily slipped through the picket
lines with the assistance of some OF
his comrades and fastened to ths
bedside of his mother. He barely
took time to say a last goodbye be
fore setting out on his return TO tht
army before Quebec. He rejoined
his company several days before tbs
battle. but already he had been re.
ported as deserter and was hailed
before drumhead court-martial.
The young soldier was speedily
found guilty and sentenced TO bs
shot General Wolfe himself issued
the decree of death. The old mar
told my father that, with the refine.
ment of cruelty worthy of an Apache
General Wolfe compelled him to bs
one CT the firing squad This is 3
point in the venerable soldisr's stor,
that is extremely difficult of belief
and il may well be that al the sunsst
of his life he grew morbid ano came
to believe mere fancy that had
grown up in his mind.
Even to-day I can recall vivid,
the closing words of his drauati,
story as my father repeated them Il
me.
81 don't know whether | shoi
General Wolfe or not. tie old mar
was wont to say, but do know thai
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 a fruitful sourc,
OF hero worship. For example, wher;
is the schoolboy in all the wide cour
try whose pulses have not ouickeneC
at the story of the death of Captain
Lawrence. commander of the luckles.
frigate Chesapeake in the battle witt
the British ship Shannon OF Bosto.
IN the war OF 1912?
Don't give up the ship" cried tn
indomitable sea fighter. according L