The Washington times., 1919-10-15

strange to her Without waiting
for an answer the major published
the gist Of the letter.
He was after that reported dead
at one time and again in jail for
defrauding a local newspaper.
Nothing more was heard Of 81
gOurney, Huntley. Sill0way. or Sui
loway until 1881, when a letter ap-
peared IL behalf Of needy and re-
markably accomplished printer, W.
A. Galloway, which said:
Col W. A. Cilloway. a printer In
this city, Is probably the most
learned printer in the United states,
and the only printer living who has
set up the Bible in the original
Greek He has worked IN London,
oxford, Paris, Madrid, Rome, Flor
ence, Crete and elsewhere He
served in the MeEicas @-aF and ave
years during the rebellion. He
saved President Lincoln from cap
ture by the rebels when they at
tackled the James Brooks, and has
several letters from Lincoln thank
in ghim for his bravery. Colonel
CiIlOway has suffered much from
hunger in endeavoring to support
his family. his parents being very
aged people-his father 1O2 years
and his mother nearly 100. It seems
that the fraternity ought to know
these things"
For four years after 1881 Siuoway
was not heard from particularly.
but IN 1885, the following item ap-
peared under the heading: a Pat
riot in Need"
"A correspondent writes shat
Col William A. siIloway, an old
solder OF two wars and probably
the most learned printer Of the DAY
he having set up the Bible entire
In the original Greek and the New
Testament in German, French,
Spanish. and Hebrews now liv-
ing in the city in destitute circum-
stances, without work. This Is the
old hero who. in May. 1853, saved
President Lincoln from being kill
ed or captured when the dispatch
boat was attacked in returning
from City Point to washington.
Colonel SilloWay has an autograph
letter from Lincoln in reference to
the matter. Something should be
done for this old soldier"
What the responses were to the
kindly appeal Of Mr.. Bowies' corre-
spondent, made as IL was in the
same style-although as to a dif-
ferently spelt SillOway. does not
appear. Five years later, after the
death in July, 1890, Of John W.
Watson, author Of Beautiful
Snow Col William Allen Silloway,
then living in this city. thought
that he had at last found a medium
through which he could lay claim
to dead mems lauFels and announc-
ed himself the true author Of
Beautiful Snow"
"Lifted" Engliah Verse.
Later he turned up in New York
and defrauded the publications there
with old poems They later dis
covered the poetry had been lifted"
from English periodicals and the
titles changed.
And now came the grand move OF
the fellow. The HaFpCrs having
threatened 10 have him arrested for
the fraud. his next coup was 70
commit suicide. and the press oS
the country Erayely announced that
the author Of Beautiful Snow" Lad
committed suicide by blowing out
his brains o. tho BlooTciLgdale
road. But IN few days Il turned
out that Sillov-ay had got Up the
story himself by writing an account
OF his suicide. Then for o few
months Siiloway disappeared from
his literary arena. out again ap-
peared al the criminal bar. He had
stolen and was ia the TOmks.
The lime or the death OF 'Silio-
way is not recorded. but no doubt
he will be remembered I'm Wash
ingtOu as one OF the most deter
mined preteaters OF his day.