Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1915-10-28
Ehfntttg Chat

a couple of men were talking about
people with memories the other day
and one man when asked to name
those in public life in Harrisburg who
could give valuable information right
OFT the reel replied: "City Clerk
Charley Miller and Dan Hammel-
baugh secretary of the School Board.
Both of these officials have been long
IN the service of the city. Mr.. Miller
having recently finished his silver an
niNersary as city clerk and having q
few more years credit, while Dan has
peen in charge of the secretarial duties
at the Chestnut street offices since
1880. Both men have frequently told
me things without hesitation which ]
wanted to know and know badly in my
business. Mr.. Miller used to he q
printer before he went into Council
ana the Legislature and he absorbed
about as thorough a line of information
ABOUT this community as can be found
ana he has not forgotten anything that
mas happened since. Dan knows the
'front.' name of everyone who has had
anything to do with the school system
for about thirty years and woe betide
anyone who tries to manhandle figures
IN talking about the school district
You might add that two men who also
not in public life were the late w. X.
Alricks. president of the Dauphin De-
poSlt Trust Company, and the late
James Nj. Lamberton, the lawyer.
Both were exceedingly we'll informed
on this community and could give
names, dates, initials and facts with
out thinking much about it,"
The lawyer who had perhaps the
!nost Wonderful memory of anyone at
the Dauphin county bar" went on my
informant, was the late Congressman
MarIn II. Olmsted. He never seemed
TO forget | have heard him recall
incidents connected with the days
when he was connected with the Audi
tor Generals department and the fact
that he held a very important place
When ne was barely over 81 was in
itself recognition of the fact that he
was brainy man. In court and at
! hearings ] have heard him cite cases
with references and present facts in
that remarkable way of his without
very much preparation. / do not think
that IN years | ever knew him to be
taken at loss and he could recall
many matters which the ordinary
lawyer would have been fortunate to
remember where to find"
| Up at the Capitol they ask Adjutant
General Thomas ]. Stewart when they
| "SAAI " SCI any ABOUT the
National Guard just as people about
the city ask Theodore 3. Klein, presi-
| dent of the Dauphin County Historical
Society, when they want local history.
General Stewart is a living COM
pendium OF military information" was
the way newspaperman long in the
harness referred to him. 81 have
known him to be talking about some
| thing when one would mention a reei-
ment. Then Stewart would say oh,
yes. that was So and Sos regiment.
He's dead. And So and So was the
eutenant-colonel. I guess So and So.
who was the adjutant or captain of
company "A, is about the only one liv-
ing. And when you would go to Bates
| history of the Pennsylvania volunteers
you find it just so. The general never
mas any notes when he talks about the
their officers. He knows them all,
their initials. and I think he could
give their street addresses. When II
comes to specialized information there
are few men in the State to compare
with the memory of Tom Stewart"
Another official who has a remark
able memory for names and dates and
incidents in the governmental life of
| Harrisburg for the past thirty years or
more is Henry w. Cough, former
councilman, former city controller and
| ~" SOuiIy CoHtToller ana candidate
on the Republican ticket for re-elec-
tion. Mr.. Cough is frequently con-
suited by persons desiring information
not easily accessible. The other even
ing debate arose as to an early re-
election of City Engineer Cowden.
which is a period lost in antiquity to
any but the oldest inhabitants. But
Mr.. Cough not only readily remem-
| bered the date, but gave the vote,
Cowden's opponent at the time and re-
called with some amusement how a
councilman had been rushed home
from Philadelphia just in time to break
the deadlock that was impending.