The sun., 1913-12-23
".IOHN PHENIx."
How Hc Escaped BY Marcy's Sense
NnnOr the Wrath Of Jefferson Davis.

How Hc Escaped BY Marcy's Sense Z
HumOr the wrath Of Jefferson Davis.
To THE EDITOR OF THE SuN--Str. Many
years ago, at a time antedating tho
memory of any man now living, Judge
James Campbell of New York was one Of
the shining ornaments OF Tammapy Hall.
That organization was then the political
home Of the most highly respected and
influential statesmen and politicians OF
New York. largely influential in moulding
and directing the wiser counscs of the
Democratic party.
As the friend Of Van Buren,, Marcy
and many Of tho other leaders of his
party. Judge Camrbelrs name and infiu-
encc werc potent IN connection with the
prominent political movements of those
early days His daughter Marian. the
widow OF Samuel l.. Gouverneur. Jr, is
still living In Washington with mind and
memory undimmed. and beloved by Il
wide circle OF admiring friends. Two
years ago she wrote and the Appletons
published AS I Remember: Recollections
of American Society during the Nine
exceptional interest at this moment when
the notorious "Carabao dinner OF the
other day Is causing such Il laughable
excitement 1t II as follows:
'1n his boyhood Mr.. Gouverneur formed
an intimacy with George II. Derby. bet
ter known In literary circles under the
nom de plume OF John PhRnix' He Is
we'll remembered by students OF Ameri-
can humor as contemporary and rival
of Artemus Ward. lie was member of
prominent Boston family and Of the
class of 1916 at West Point. He was a
gallant soldier. having been wounded dur
ing the Mexican war at CerrO Gordo and
was promoted for his bravery in that
battle. Scarcely any one was immune
from hia nraCffpa1 inkas h,f nj ~
for his peace of mind Mr.. Gouverneur
was acquainted with an incident OF his
life which if known would make him "a
butt OF ridicule. and he accordingly felt
perfectly safe In his companionshp and
well enjoyed his humorous exploits. one
day Derby and MIR. Gouverneur were
sauntering through the streets of Wash
ington when the keen eye of the hunorst
was attracted by n Sign over store
door which read. Ladies' Depository the
old fashioned method of designating what
would now be called a 'Woman's E,x-
change. Turning to his companion.
Derby remarked I have n little business
to transact in this shop and I want you
to go inside with mo- They entered and
were met by n smiling female to whom
Derby remarked: My wife will be here
tomorrow morning. ! am SO pleased to
nave discovered this depository. hope
that you will'take good care or hcr. Ex-
pect her at eleven. Good-morning'
I'm the early Sos Adjutant General
Roger Jones determined to adopt IA new
uniform for the United States army and
Derby was thus afforded a conspicuous
opportunity Z" exercise his wit lie WAS
an excellent draughtsman and set to work
ana produced design. He proposed
changing the entire system of modern
tactics by the aid of an iron hook to he
attached to the seat of each solde r :
trousers. this hook tn lie used by the
three arms of the service cavalry. I'm.
fantry and artillery. n" illustrated il by
a series of we'll executed designs and
quoted high medical authority TO prove
~ advantages from sanitary point OF
view. He argued that the heavy khan
sack induced stopping position and a
contraction of the chest. but hung on Z,
hook by strap over tho shoulders It
would hrac" the body and back and ox-
pand the chest. The cavalrymen were IN
he rendered more secure IN their seats
when hooked to ring IN the saddle.
MI commissioned officers were to carry "A
light twenty foot pole with Il ring at
tached to the end. To he used during an
engagement in drawing straggl.rs back
into the ranks. lie made a drawing of
a. tremendous battle during which the
generals and coloncls were thus occupied,
and in many oth-r ways cxpatiated upon
the value Of IN" hook. When Jefferson
Davis, the Secretary Of War. saw Derby :
designs and read his recommendations he
folt that his dignity was wounded and
the service insulted and he Immediately
issued an order that Derby be court
, martha He'd.
william T.. Marcy. the Secretary ~
state. was told OF the transaction and of
the cloud hanging over Derby. He looked
over the drawings and saw Il regiment,
their backs toward him and drawn up IN
| line, with llnapsacks. blankets and every
thing apperta!ning to camp lii" attached
to each soldier hv a hook. Marcy who
saw the humorous side at once, said Ia
! Davis It's no use to cuurt-martlal this
man. The matter Will be mad. public
| and the laugh Will he upon US Besides
| a man who has the inventive genius that
| he has displayed AS We'll as the faculty
| of design. NJ directed though they be. Is
| too valuable to- the service tu be trlticd
with Derby therefore was not brought
! To- grief. and in time DtVis's anger WAS
| sufficiently mollited for him to enjoy tn.
| joke. am enabled To state. through the
courtesy OF the present Assistant Serrc-
tdry OF War. that the drawings referred
| to are not now to De found IN the files
| Of the War department, and pictur,
which at the time was the source of ui-
| told amusemen and of widespread noto-
rcty seems to be lost TO the world "
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