Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1915-04-20

early eighties payday was day 10
be dreaded by the citizens as well as
the merchants of Steelton in a way.
The issue of the pay envelopes always
means so much more drinking and
carouslng. Now and then gangs of
foreigners would congregate and start
a fight that would assume proportions
of a small riot. In these instances Ma
jor Bent would prove conclusively how
well he could pick out face. AS soon
as such a gathering would be spied by
the borough authorities, the Major
would be sent for. Fearlessly he would
go among the crowd, pick out man
here and there and simply say: smith
you come over to the office Monday
and get your time. The same to you,
Jones" That ability of the Major to
pick out face eventually had much
to do with breaking up these little dis
turbances.
Helped Organize Fire Company
While Major Bent always liked to
keep out of the personal limelight as
much as possible he figured conspicu-
ously in all the big movements that
aimed at a better municipality. He
was particularly interested in the or
ganization of Steelton's first fire COM
pany, the Citizens. Mr.. Verbeke, with
a dozen or more men who were en-
ployed at the big works. started the
movement to organize a fire lighting
organization shortly after several dis
astrous fires had occurred. Major Bent
while refusing any office. permanent or
honorary. was one of the chief boost
ers and backed the new company with
the steel firms moral and financial
support Within sixty days after the
company was formed enough money
had been subscribed to provide fire
engine and 1000 feet of hose. Within
60 he eaYNNT nd 9
own house. Major Bent point blank
refused TO accept any credit for his
splendid assistance. The best he would
permit the company to do by way of
appreciation was to let the members
name the steamer IS. NJ. FELTON," af-
ter his father-in-law.
Helped Postlewaite Up Ladder
The first step up the ladder of fame
for f. I. Postlewaite, now high In the
official councils of the Pennsylvania
railroad was made, it is said, with the
assistance of Major Bent. Mr.. Postle-
waite was a member of business firm
in Harrisburg which failed and the
partner entered the office of Major
Bent as a stenographer. While n big
official of the Pennsy was in confer
ence with Mr.. Bent one day, Postle-
waite, so the story runs, had nothing
to do at the time, and casually took
down" the two-hdur conversation be-
tween the two. When a little later,
/ the major learned of this he was so
pleased that he promptly recommend
ed Postlewaite to the railroad officials
service.
Always Drove to Office
While residing in Steelton Major
Bent lived on the heights overlooking
Second street, since occupied by the
steel company heads. At that time
the lawn. known as 'Bent's Lawn" eX-
tended all the way to Front street. In
after years Second street was cut
through it. Major Bent invariably
drove to his office. Bernard Blakey, a
negro who was old in the memory of
many of Steelton's older residents of
the present day. always served as Ma
jor Bent's charioteen.
Got Fun Out of Addiction
The former head of the Steel plant
was trifie cripple, his one shoulder
being deformed just enough to give it
the appearance of a lump on his back.
His affection never bothered the ma
jor however; he frequently got fun out
of it. Here's a story they tell about
that. On one occasion Major Bent
came upon a lot of young employees
of the works were were fighting. They
of course had been drinking, and the
steel company official promptly or
dered the offenders to 1.-The office" for
their time" the following Monday.
las soon as I get over there. the
first thing I'll do IL be to knock that
lump of yer shoulder snarled one of
them.
Good" replied the major prompt
ly. that's what I've wanted done for
; years So don't wait till Monday
Come over to-day"
When in Cuba
About the time of Major Bents ac-
tivities at Steelton. the Pennsylvania
steel works had begun its operations in
the Cuban ore banks and ne spent
much of his time there. While al
ways anything but dudish in his dress
! the major was invariabl. fastidious
I particularly as to the summer cloth
/ ing he wore to Cuba. In the dead of
! winter when snow was several inches
! deep, Major Bent would frequently get
ready for HIS southern trip. And at
first his shopping tours-to buy linen