St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1911-06-28
FROM FIFTY YEARS AGO.
H. w. Bailey Sends Some Clippings
Taken From Old CaIedonian.

Taken From Old CaledOn1aH.
To the Editor OF the CALIFORNIAN:
There can be. little doubt but what
newspaper making, and editorial
writing of fifty years ago. was a long
ways from a lost art, nor can it be
said that they were in crude stage,
| the fact is Mr.. Editor 1 believe the
fifty years ago copy of the Caledonian,
May 81, 1861, is as good paper in
every way as any copy of the Gale
DOMAIN that I have seen in the last
ten years, and | have seen nearly
all of them am not discussing
printing presses, modern appliances
and the terrific speed with which
newspaper work is now done, but
rather the subject matter, news gen.
eral and local, etc.
/ am submitting some of the items
| in the old Caledonian, all relating
/ to the war, as a sample of the good
use of English, of paragraphing, and
of patriotism This old CALIFORNIAN
contains news item relating to the
death of Col. Ellsworth which is worth
reprinting for it's historical value,
many boys were named for Elmer
Ellsworth in the early sixties. The ed
itorial on the Assassination of Col.
Ellsworth probably written by the
editor, the late G.. NJ. Stone, is as
clear cut, historical and patriotic as
present day editorials. You will not
think for a moment, MIR. Editor, that
the writer has in mind the dispar-
aging of modern newspapers and
| Journalism, nor an nnfavOrable crit
icism of modern editors, for they
keep apace, and frequently ahead, of
| the procession, and if / mistake not
are leaders in modern thinking and
aggressors in good government. But
| in this day and generation when so
much is said about the Greater YER
mont and the New Vermont, -
and what not, it is worth
while to scan doings half century
old. My search among old newspap-
er files, conVinces me that the men
and things of fifty years ago do not
| fade when compared with today, and
/ offer these clippings from the Cal
! edonion of May 81, 1851, as partial
evidence of my assertions.
HORACE w. BAILEY.
June 26, 1911.
Particulars of Col. Ellsworth's
Death.
HIS ASSASSIN IMMEDIATELY
KILLED.
After the Zouave regiment had
been formed in line at Alexandria,
Col. Ellsworth, with his aid, Lieut.
Wisner, and a file of men, started
| to cut the telegraph wires. They had
proceeded only three blocks, when
the attention of Col. Ellsworth was
attracted by large secession flag fly
| ing from the Marshall House. Col.
Ellsworth entered this hotel, and
meeting a man in the hall, asked.
'.Who put that flag up?" The man
answered, 81 don't know am
boarder here Col. Ellsworth,
Lieut.. Wisner, the chaplain of the
regiment, Mr.. House, a volunteer
aid, and four privates went up to the
roof, where Col. Ellsworth cut down
the flag. The party were returning
down stairs, preceded by private
Brownell, and as they left the attic,
boarder," but who proved to be the
landlord, James w. Jackson, was met
in the hall carrying double barrell-
ed gun, which he leveled at Brown
ell. The latter struck up the gun
with his muSket, when Jackson pull
ed both triggers, lodging one charge
between the third and fifth ribs of
Col. Ellsworth, and shattering the
fourth rib; slugs entered the left
auricle of his heart, destroying the
integuments. The other charge of
the gun entered the wainscotting
near him. Col Ellsworth fell on his
face, only exclaiming, my God!"
and blood gushed from his wound
with such profusion as to drench the
entire passage A few seconds af-
forwards he uttered low moan, but
his eyes were instantly fixed and he
soon ceased to live. He was laid on
bed in a room near at hand, with the
rebel flag, stained with his blood
and now trophy of his glory,
wrapped about his feet
Immediately after the fall of his
leader, BroWne1l, with the quickness
of lightning, levelled his musket at
Jackson and f1red.-The ball struck
him on the bridge of the nose, passed
through his skull, and killed him
thrust him through with his sabre
bayonet Jackson's wife presently
discovered the fatal deed, and ap-
preaching the body of her husband,
uttered the most agonizing cries,
and although treated with all the
consideration that could be offered
her in her misery, she remained
long time in the widest state Of
frenzy.
EllswOrth's companions held
guard some ten minutes, until re-
inforced. The house was in the ut
most confusion; dodgers darted from
their rooms, but we're held in con-
troll by the four Fire Zouayes, who
at once established and maintained
order. The Zouayes might have been
hemmed in by the number of persons
in the house, which was consider
able; but their trepidation was too
great for any organization and moth
ing of the sort was attempted.
A company made a litter of their
muskets,- and placing the corpse of
their lamented commander on it, re-
turned to the boat, leaving a de-
tachment to guard the hotel and
make prisoners of all its occupants.
The body of Col. Ellsworth was left
at the Washington navy yard. After
fitting ceremonies, it will be sent to