The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1911-02-16

Booths Mona, Buffalo, n. Y.
He took part in the battles of Hatchie
river and Kenesaw mountain. and was
near General Mcpherson when he was
killed during the battle of Peachtree
Creek. Mr.. Curry resigned his office
in the army in December. 1864, when
his regiment joined Gen. Sherman's
forces in the famous march to the
sea- He returned to Indiana and be-
came a member of the staff of Gov
ernor Oliver p. Morton.
First Speech in Public.
He made his first appearance as a
public speaker in Indiana in 1852
when he spoke in behalf of prohibi-
ton. He afterwards stumped south
ern and middle Indiana in the cause Of
temperance and often engaged in de-
bates on the subject He took an &C.
tive part In the campaign preceding
the second election Of Lincoln. and he
took a keen interest in the political
questions during those stormy days.
Slavery was then the principal issue
and time and again Mr.. Curry en-
gagged in warm debates with promi-
nent platform speakers. He was rec
ognized as an orator of so much force
and ability that his services were in
constant demand.
His friends urged him to become a
candidate for congress while he was
resident Of New Albany, and he
made the race against Kerr. the DEM
ocratic candidate, afterward speaker
Of the house. Michael c. Kerr car
ried the election by only 1900 votes
despite the fact that Judge Davis, the
Democratic candidate in the previous
election. had carried the district by
three thousand votes.
Narrowly Escapes Death.
While Mr.. Curry was making polit-
ical speeches In Indiana, the Knights
of the Golden Circle made two -unsuc-
cesful attempts to lynch him. II was
only by the Intervention of a Demo
cratic hotel keeper in Orange county.
near West Baden. that a dozen mask
ed men were put to flight. Another
time Mr.. Curry was delivering po-
litical speech at Leopold, near Evans
willie. when the Knights of the Golden
Circle threatened to kill him. FEEDER
al officehs came to his rescue at that
time and he narrowly escaped being
captured.
In 1869 Mr.. Curry was elected d.
rector of the southern Indiana prison
at Jeffersonville and under his admin
istration mechanical employment for
convicts was introduced in Indiana for
the first time.
Becomes Secretary Of State.
Two years later he was elected sec
rotary Of state. It was Mr. Curry who
made the first public report for a Gov
ernor Of Indiana. The state officers
were divided in politics when Mr.. Cur
ry took office IN 1872 and the work
accomplished during that administra-
ton was significant.
The legislature in aJnuary. 1878,
vuSSSu NuC hAot lUVldud law lOi CSNi-
mating the valuation and taxing Of
corporations. The state officers made
up a commission to assess the value
of railroads and other companies op-
Grating in the state and their wark
was successful from every point Of
view. II was during the year that
Governor Hendricks and his staff paid
official visits to the Governor Of ILL.,
nois and the legislature then in ses-
sion. They afterwards called on Pres
ident Ulysses 8. Grant in Washington.
During subsequent campaigns the
Republican chairmel Of a number Of
a number Of states solicited the SER
vices of Mr.. Curry as platform
speaker and he delivered tariff
speeches in Pennsylvania. New York.
New Jersey. Ohio. South Dakota and
other states. II a PARTICULAR district
was in doubt and the Republicans
needed its vote they would send Mr.
Curry to line up the voters. And he
seldom failed. He appealed to the
masses.
Was an "offensivs Partisan"
my ambition was never to hold of.
fice." explained Mr.. Curry. in speak.
ing of the days when he took an &C.
tive part in state and national poll.
tics. but it was to shape my language
in such way that every man could
understand clearly what I was saying.
wanted to instruct and educate PEG.
pie. That is all"
Mr.. Curry came to Washington in
April, 1881. when he Was appointed to
fill a position in the pension bureau
Four years later. when President
Cleveland took office be was let out
for offensive partisansAip. When he
was told why he would lose his posi-.
ton. Mr. Curry said: Mr.. Cleveland
is right. My partisansAip 10 always
offensive. Never defensive"
In 1907 Mr. Curry Wa returned to
the pension bureau and he has since
held one Of the most responsible
places in that departmen.
II was always too mueh of a politi.
clan to be preacher. and too much OF
a preacher to be politician" said Mr.
Curry.
On next Sunday morning, Mr.. Cur.
ry will deliver sermon al the Uni.