Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-03-24
M'NETLLE, VETERAN OF
TWO WARS, "a TODAY
Foreman of Special Coroner's
Jury Fought Under General
Scott in Mexico.

/ Sixty-oiEht years ago Martin Mac.
Nellie enlisted az n drummer boy under
General Winfield Scott in the Mexican
War; - years ago he enlisted under
Colonel Small in the Civil War. but was
unable to get past the Baltimore riots
and returned TO Philadelphia to re-enlist
under Colonel Morhead 80 years ago he
began a 13-year term as school director
from the 5th Ward and seven years ago
he was appointed to his present position as
foreman of the Special Coroner's Jury.
This, in brief. is the record of Mr.. Mac
Nellie who is 50 years old today. He is
the uncle Of Judge Raymond MacNeille,
appointed to the Municipal Court by for
mer Governor Tener during the last few
days of his administrat ton Mr.. Mac
Nellie has returned verdict on every
murder or suicide that has taken place in
this city since April, 1908, when he was
appointed to the jury by Coroner Ford.
81 don't remember all these cases" he
said today when asked for few incl
dents. want to forget the horrible de-
tails, so that I can keep young. It's bad
enough to have to hear the evidence with
out retaining it in your memory But
do remember the case of Mrs. Frieda
frost, who poisoned her husband three
years ago | have taken a personal in
terest in her: ! even called on her at the
Eastern Penitentiary, yesterday. | re-
call that Italian stabbing affray at 9TH and
Christian streets, two years ago, too. one
Italian went into store for n quart of
peanuts. He was given n regular 5-cent
bag, and when he objected the show COM
menced. We held four men, one of whom
was convicted
Mr. MacNeile has lived in Philadelphia
l. tFa IL. l., Ia, In
army. He was born at I'd and Green
streets, when that was in the old North
ern Liberties. March "a. 1891. When he
was ten years old he went TO work as a
printers "devl' in the shop of John C.
Clark, GS Dock street, where he remained
until the Mexican War broke out. He
enlisted in Company Is, Second Scott Le-
gion, under Captain Robert Winslow. Mr.
MacNcille served in every battle with
General Scott, and at Vera Cruz received
two bullet wounds in his right leg,
In 1850 he opened a paperhanginE store
at 4OS Arch street, and kept 1t until the
Civil War, Then he enlisted in the l06th
Pennsylvania Infantry and served until
the end of theswar tlc took part in the |
battles of Antietam. Gettysburg, Malvern
Hin. Seven Pines and others. He was
present at AppomattaN, During the fight
ing bullet took away a bit of the bridge |
of Mr.. MacNeille's nose, and baNOnet |
was thrust through his right hand When |
MIR, MacNelle returned to his home he
opened new store at 5o5 Spruce street, |
which he kept until he retired from busI-
ness in 1898. From 1870 to 1883 he was |
School Director from the 9th Ward
Mr.. MacNeille Is in the best of health |
Last year he was afflicted seriously for |
the first time. He was III three months |
with penumonia lie walks five miles |
every day, and attributes his sound |
physique to regular exercise. He says
he serves on the jury not for money, but |
because he wishes to keep his mental !
faculties alive.