Omaha daily bee., 1910-03-26
UNCLE SANS one GOOD MAN
Governments Only Personal Testi-
monial Given to Capt. Lawrence.
BACK TO THE SEA IN OLD AGE
After Retirement as Omaha business
Man He VIII Return 60 spend De-
cIininE Years by Ocean where
He spent His Youth.

The only testimonial Of character ever
given by the United States Is borne BY
Captain f. b. Lawrence, a retired business
man who is leaving for the east, where he
will live by the sea on which he spent the
days Of an adventurous and romantic
youth.
Captain Lawrence in other days sailed
the ocean in the service Of the United
States navy. His career led him into all
the ports Of the world and back again.
He fought with the unregenerate Fiji down
at the other end of the world and returned
to do battle with Johnny Reb.
When Captain Lawrence left the navy
he declared himself done with the sea
and was given what was then called in
the paTlance of the service a short dis
charge" Long discharges were issued
only to men who were to re-enlist. This
short discharge was a point blank blunt
sort Of document with no ornamentation.
In recognition OF his worthy service to
Seaman Lawrences discharge was added
the pen written postscript But he is a
good man."
Through all the years Captain Lawrence
has treasured his discharge from the navy
with its unique testimonial. He is a good
man and has the word Of the great United
States for It.
kidnapped in south Sea.
While a sailor Captain Lawrence was
engaged in a conflict in the FIJI islands
when he and several Of his fellows were
kidnapped to become Of his fellows were
supplies for hungry cannibal chief He
was slashed across the right wrist by the
stroke Of a bolo in the hands Of a lusty
savage. The fighting seaman came near
losing his hand by the wound. but recov-
cred on the long voyage home, after the
rescue by his shipmates.
At the outbreak Of the civil war Captain
Lawrence attached himself to Bartletts
naval brigade, rather unique organization
designed for either land or sea service, but
more particularly for coast service. Prac-
tically all Of the men were former seamen,
and the regiment, which was organized as
an infantry regiment, known later as the
Ninety-ninth New York infantry, saw con-
siderable service at the very outbreak Of
the war, taking part in the battle OF Big
Bethel, the first battle Of the war. Some
OF the companies were assigned to snip
duty, one Of them being on the frigate
Congress that was sunk by the Merrimac
IN Hampton Roads in 1852
On Both Land and Sea.
The regiment occupied a distinct position
in the service and though technically
known as the Ninety-ninth New York,
still maintained its greater reputation as
Bartlett's Naval brigade.
Captain and Mrs. Lawrence have been
residents OF Omaha for over twenty years.
He is q member OF the Nebraska Com
mandery Loyal Legion and was at one time
its commander. Captain and Mrs. Law
renee will leave Monday for New Lon
don, Conn, where they will make their
future home. Captain Lawrence has pur-
chased an eighty-acre farm near New
London, portion OF which lies along the
sea coast. He and Mrs. Lawrence will
spend their summers in their new home,
but will winter in Nebraska.
Now TO Five in Ease.
Il do not think that shall do much
personal farming" said Captain Lawrence
But the place Is beautiful one and we
have just bought 1t as a nice place to end
our few remaining days. We hate to leave
Nebraska and Omaha, as we have made
many dear friends here that we shall al
ways cherish, and will come back each
winter to visit with them"
Captain Lawrence through his long resi-
dence in Omaha, was long connected with
the lead industry. He was president of
the Omaha Shot works. founded in 1882,
and later sold his properties. TO the trust.