Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1910-10-28
COL. NATHANIEL c. SAWYER DEAD.
Years and Formerly Paymaster Of
United States Volunteers.


United States Volunteers.
Col. Nathaniel Chandler Sawyer. S. for
a long time an examiner in the pension
bureau and formerly paymaster Of United
States volunteers, died in the home OF
A. II. Hines on Green street where he and
Mrs. Sawyer hL3 been living since Sep
tember He had been in with paralysis
a number Of years and his death mad been
expected for five or six weeks Mr. Saw
yer was born in Lancaster, Mass. Aug.
70. 1870. and was a son Of Esquire Ezra
Sawyer and Eliza H Sawyer. his father
being one Of the most prominent men in
the town at that time He attended the
schools in Lancaster and when d boy
moved with his parents to South Ian
caster. now known as Clinton He con-
tnued his studies in the schools Of that
town until his graduation, when he took
up his life work, that Of an accountant
He remained in Clinton until bis marriage
to Miss Martha Palmer OF that town.
March 4. 1856. when he came 10 Brattle-
boro and began work for Fisk & Chenev's
Canadian express Soon afterwards he
took position as teller in the First
National bank
When the war broke out Mr SAWYER
wished TO enlist but the bank officers
wanted him to stay at home and they paid
Tor substitute to 60 in his stead Then
came Lincoln's call for 100000 more men.
and Mr.. Sawyer laid down the pen. paid
the bank the money they had given his
substitute and enlisted July D. 1869 He
was major and paymaster Of United
States volunteers. his commission being
signed 10y President Lincoln and Andrew
Johnson. He was stationed in Washing
ton and was accompanied there bv Mrs
Sawyer, who also did valiant duty during
the war. The living expenses were 50
high in Washington that they were com
ne led Tr EQ11s
secessionist feeling was so strong in that
city that M. Sawyer was compelled 10
dress In civilian attire many times al
though he would preferred much 10 wear
the uniform Of his country While sta
toned In Washington he diskursed more
than 100000 to the men Of Gen. Sheri-
dams army. on March IS. 1866 he was
breveted lieIt~uart-colonel Of United
states volunteers for conspicuous bravery
and meritOri0us service in rescuinE a
pay trunk, containing S250OD0 from Mos
by's daring band Of guerrlnas Shortly
after this he was ordered TO the Pacific
coast and with Mrs. Sawyer made the
trip by way Of the Isthmus Of Panama
On reaching san Francisco he was
ordered TO pay the soldiers in many Of
the western forts. and the work was par
ucularly hard and dangerous at that
time, not only because the Confederates
We're dangerous enemies. but the Indians
difficulties and were upon the war-path.
Mr.. Sawyer Travelled from fort TO fort
through all sorts of adverse weather
and many dangers, and never faltered in
his work for his country On July 21
lSG. he was mustered out Of service
He returned TO Brattleboro and once
more entered the employ Of the bank.
where he remained until the Institution
was wrecked by the defalcations OF its
president and cashier. the late Silas
NJ Waite. in 1880. In 1889 he went to
Washington as clerk in the pension
bureau. and became special examiner for
the bureau and held that position until
removed for political reason by President
Cleveland. He was again appointed TO
the bureau during President McKinleys
adm nlstratiOn. In 1907. his health being
so poor that il was impossible for him u
remain in Washington. he went 10
Plymouth Mass, where he lived until
Sept 2s Of this year when he and Mrs
Sawyer came back 10 the town where
he had lived 50 many years in his youn-
ger days
Always interested in politics. he was
a staunCh Republican and Mrs SAWYER
read 10 him daily the news Of political
developments and current events from
the Boston and Washington daily papers
He was fond Of reading as long as he
was able and had a fund of valuable IN
formation always at his command He
remembered many events of the Civil war
and could tell interesting stories Of many
Of the great men OF the country. HIS motto
fairly may be said 10 have been exemph-
field truly in his life. 1t was ''Semper fidel-
Is, s,"-always faithful Besides his wife MI
Sawyer leaves one son, G. Edwin Sawyer
Of New York
He was member Of Columbian lodge,
F & A. M, was the last surviving
charter member Of Fort Dummer chapter,
r. A. NJ, and a charter member OF Beau
seant commandery, K. T.
Following PRAYER in the home. funeral
services were held in ST. MichaeTs Epis-
copal church at l13O today Rev Andrew
Harper. rector, officiating The body was
placed in the mausoleum in Mornin gside
cemetery, Knights Templar service be
ing held there. Later the body will be
taken 10 the National cemetery IN Ar
hngton. Va. spot always dear TO Col.
Sawyer.