The Washington times., 1914-05-07
-RANSFER CHANGES
CELEBRATION PLANS
I'D Postoffice EmpIoye and Wife
to Observe Golden Wedding
Among Strangers.

N~Tay MI and Mrs. c. T. Stailey, Tor
..sz--ciSht wears residents of Washing
-. after planning for months to cele-
..tc their coIdeu wedding anniversary
-. must content themselves with re-
.. mhcrlns the occasion among stranS-
=. in Cleveland.
ncIc sam recently has played into
- hardS of Cupid. with the aid ul
.rrctary Daniels. But. by one of those
.rtlcss twists of fa.e. this veteran
ms military and civil service, whose
nance began amid the smell of pow
- in the great civil struggle. must
md out his half century in strange
ry despite earnest pleas of himself
10 his friends to remain here.
Surrounded by co-workers of the Post
CfIcC Department, where he has work
: fcrly-ciglt years. and by friends, he
ok leave of Washington few days
80 without 2 murmur of complaint.
Drawing himself to his full height.
! memory OF his days as A soldier. he
id the group at Union Station to see
I'm off. i've always obeyed orders
no ] Won't play the kicker now.
Tears at Leaving.
Eu, as his train pulled out Of the sta
On ne could not keep back the tears
{ the thought of leaving, at the age of
,ventv-two, the city he helped defend,
I'd in which he had spent the best part
{ his life.
\ few DAYS later Mrs. Stailey followed
I'm to his new home, and today, nlty
cars after he was given a leave OF
hsencs at tho personal insuga1on OF
cneral Early TO he married, he VIII
art upon new work at the CleVelano
cstcffiCc.
Private Staiiey was at HsrperS tcrrN
! his CountTN's service when he met
81 lnir NI=.a h-fp
{ happened that Stailey had won ap-
rotation of General Early by especial
cts of heroism in several engagements.
when the young man mad the rath-
9 surprising request to DC relieved OF
uty long enough to be married, the old
uueral smiled. and remarked that Gu
id is Inighticr than the sword
II so happened that the Confederates
ere troubling the Federal troops SO
ttlc that Stailey and his pretty bride
ers permitted TO so to Washington TO
G married. thence to Baltimore, at that
lne the mecca for honeymoon couples.
Was Not Premeditated.
In the COS the trip from Harpers
'erry to WashinSton was consider
I,lc iadnt. even in peaceful times. 1t
ooll them three days to get from the
amp there TO the Capital. The bride.
l war time. even through territory held
\ friendly troops. was game
Eut difficulties looned up when young
tailey was about to return to his com
@Hy. \ sudden change of the Federal
@auS caused the roads between Wash
1Pton and Harpers Ferry TO pc block
ped. and their honeymoon was con-
idera bly, prolonged. Instead of saying
ood-by TO his bride of a few days, the
oUnE soldier found he would be COM
"led to remain in Washington for sew
al weeks.
Immediately at the close of the war,
ir. Stailey entered the service of the
'ostoffice Department. in the dead letter
ffce. The scene of his enforced
-vreymoon became his permanent home,
nd he and his courageous bride made
wide circle of friends in this city.
Is Still Active.
Though ne now is seventy-twO years
Id, Mr. Stailev still is activt. though
taldly Young enough to take up q new
inc of work. So, when the dead letter
"rcc here was CuTtailed and employees
-iven the choice of leaving the Govern
Hent service or accepting positions in
0stOffiCcs of other cities, AIr. StaiIey
led to get 4 transfer TO another posi-
ION in the Capital.
Many OF his friends offered 20 make
0 plea IL his behalf, but about that
nc the Mexican war loomed I'D and
1 was found impossible to zee any OF
n" mon from whom he had expected
sslStance.
Uncle Sam was too busy with foreign
matters. this time, to stop to help one
one servant to end his DAYS in the city
= here he had served so long. or 20 take
'ognizancc of the second honeymoon"
Il couple whose courtship ard mar
= 20 d h. h1+
he'll.
Air. and Mrs. Ssiley for marlv years
wed on Capitol Hill. For the last few
ears they bad been at 2l20 G street !
northwest They have one daughter, /
tv'nc in Cleveland. which is tine one
,f- -,.sr