Omaha daily bee., 1908-08-13

The national convention of whIes met
in Philadelphia some time in June. 1875.
and on the third ballot nominated General
Zachary Taylor. "Old Rough and Ready -
as their candidate for the presidency over
Henry Clay. Daniel Webster and General
Scott. And some time later during oats
harvest. while that frontier colonel. who
had not voted for forty years. was work
ing in his oats field and talking to Captain
Daniel OF old days and Of happy days
he had spent at Camp salubrity. the mott
tlcation committee, aboard the Major
Ringgold. landed near where "Old Rough
and Ready was working and talking, and
really notified him, that ia, gave him the
first Information he had of his nomination.
The captain tells the story as follows:
In the summer OF 1s4S I was a passen-
ger on board the Alhambra. Before land
ing 1t had been told by the captain that
we would land at Taylor's plantation, Just
below the town OF Rodney. in the state
OF Mississippi, to take on wood. We were
there for several hours. and as soon as I
landed, I saw General Taylor. with whom
had got acquainted at Camp Salubrity
some years before, just across the road in
an oats field, where he and several negroes
were at work grading and binding oats.
"The general wore a broad brimmed. low
crowned, white felt hat, blue blouse. no
shirt, and blue pants. His feet were en-
cased in homemade boots. His hands and
race were covered with dirt and black from
oats. When l called out and said. Hello.
general he at once recognized me, and
as was his question hailed me by saving.
Hello, Wheelsman.'
He came over the fence and for quite
a time we talked Of the DAYS we had
spent together when Taylor was stationed
at Camp Salubrity, and of the second day
of July, 1876 in particular, when we broke
camp, and L, as pilot. or wheelsman.
on board the Yasoo. began steering General
Taylor's entire garrison. heavy artillery
and ammunition from Grandecore (mean-
ing high bluff landing to the famous bat.
tlefield of New Orleans. six miles below
the city. from which point sea-eoing ves-
sells conveyed the soldiers, artillery and
ammunition to Powder Horn. then a land
landing near the Rio Grande in Texas.
1T was while we were sitting there on
the fence recounting our many experiences
that a large boat. all decked in holiday
attire. and flying flags and bunting rounded
into sight. As 1t came nearer we heard the
band playing and General Taylor remarked
that It must be a circus boat. As 1t ap-
preached a salute was fired. the band
struck up The Star spangled Banner the
bell began to ring and the steamboat,
which was Major Ringgold. began round
ing to land. When the general and / saw
the boat was going to land we got down
off the fence and walked across the road
to witness the landing, neither knowing
or even surmising the mission Of the boat
and its crew.
"When the landing had been made and
the staseplank run ashore, the people
by the score began crowding out. The vast
crowd was led by James Guthrie and
George D.. Prentiss of Louisville, KY, who
were followed by a Mr.. Bluford. No
sooner had Guthrie and Prentiss introduced
themselves to General Taylor than Bluford,
who had been a former schoolmate Of Tay-
lor's shouted Hello. Zach and with an
oath or two ran up and embraced old
Rough and Ready who recognized Biuford
with delight.
"When invited on board the ship. Taylor
begged to be excused on account Of his
dress and appearance, but Bluford, Guthrie.
Prentiss and others with loving arms
around the sweaty, old general, hurried
him aboard where he was officially notified
in his every day working attire, that the
whig party in convention assembled had
nominated him as a candidate for the
presidency. Ee made a few remarks. thank.
ing the committee for the honor and as
surfing every one that II he was elected he
would do right II God gave him the power
to see the right.
"A reception was then held and the
dirty toiler of the oats field was intro
duced TO the hundreds on board of the
boat One of the features which inn
pressed me most forcibiy was the fact
that every woman. regardless OF her silk,
satin and jewelry, wanted to kiss the
dirty-faced old warrior.
Before the reception was over the bell
on the Alhambra rang and the $50 or sOd
OF It's passengers who were aboard the
Major Ringgoid had to leave the festive
scene and hurry back to the AIhambra
That boat was soon on its way north.
leaving the notification committee and
the presidential candidate OF the whIs
party, enjoying the music and refresh.
ments which the committee had brought
along.
This" said the captain, was the most
Impressive scene OF my whole life. Truly
II was one instance OF the nomination
seeking the man and one instance where
the notification committee really notified
the steamboat then being the fastest
mode OF travel as well as the fastest
means Of Communication, the telegram
not having attained general use. Genera
Taylor who had not voted for forty year.
and who very probably did not know tina
q convention had been held. was thus
officially notified, and in the campaign
and election which followed was tri.
umphsntly elected, but died on July 9
1850" =
Americans in R1IIoo1 R..s