Brother Elwell Must Know the Women.
From the Bloomsbur g Columbian.
Bemraic il
Bellefonte, Pa., Feb. 9, 1900.
= A woman running for school director al-
ways tries to convince the easy voter that
her greater knowledge of child hood insures
the youngsters better treatment than they
Terms or Susscmipriox.—Until further notice | 8% from the other sex. But most Women
this paper will be furnished to subscribers at the | are firmly convinced that everybody’s chil-
following rates : dren but her own are ‘‘little beasts.”
Paid strictly in advance.................... $1.00
Paid before expiration of year... 1.50 .
Paid after expiration of year..... 2.00 ~——Subseribe for the WATCHMAN.
P. GRAY MEEK, - - Ebp1ToR.
A Fund to Reimburse a Faithfil Coty Official.
A CALL TO THE PEOPLE OF CENTRE COUNTY.
Let us All be Sharers in the Burden that Has been Placed Upon a Former Sher=-
iff for Having Done What Sober Men Believe to Have Been His Duty.
Unless We Come to His Aid Former Sheriff John P. Condo Will
Have to Pay $1,400 for Endeavoring to Apprehend
an Out Law.
The decision which Judge Beeber, of the Superior court of Pennsylvania, has just
handed down in the case of H. M. Goodman, Adm’r of etc., of Emma C. Goodman,
Dec’d., vs John P. Condo, H. H. Montgomery, William Garis, John L. Dunlap, James
Cornelly and Joseph Rightnour, confirms the decree of the common pleas court of Cen-
tre county and fastens upon our former sheriff a burden that he has no reasonable cause
to bear. It is the sequel of the great Ettlinger traged, that occurred at Woodward on
March 6th, 1896.
The frightful occurrences of that day and the one preceding it are still vivid in the
minds of those who were in the usually peaceful little village of Woodward. William
R. Ettlinger, either because of imaginary persecutions or petty differences with his
neighbors had made himself so obnoxious as to come under the mandates of the law.
On the 5th of March a bench warrant was issued for him and while attempting to arrest
him he shot constable John Barner, then ripped his throat from ear to ear. This mur-
der was committed in the house occupied by Ettlinger, which was the property of Em-
ma C. Goodman’s estate. The people of that vicinity were horror stricken when they
learned of the crime from the constable’s assistant, who fled from the house when his
chief fell dead. Many of them ran to the scene with the intention of rescuing the fallen
officer, but they were met by a shower of bullets from Ettlinger, who had barricaded
his house and defied arrest.
The sheriff of the county was called upon and with a posse of men from this place
left for Woodward on a special train provided by the county commissioners. They ar-
rived at the scene that night at 9 o’clock and were on duty all night to keep the mur-
derer from escaping. When morning dawned the sheriff, with a party of deputies, ad-
vanced toward the house to make the arrest, but they had no sooner gotten within range
than a load of buck-shot was sent into them; one of the missiles having passed through
the hat of one of the officers. Every subsequent attempt to approach the place was met
by the same shower of leaden notices to keep off. How many lives might have been
sacrificed no one can tell.
Finally, when all their ingenuity had failed to accomplish its purpose it was de-
cided to burn him out. The building was fired and shortly afterwards Ettlinger’s little
children were cast from it. Then his shackled wife escaped, but he remained; firing
into the officers until he realized that he must either die like a rat in a trap or give
himself up to the law. Just what his purpose really was no one will ever know, for
with the flames eating their way closer and closer to him he jumped from his cellar
way, immediately the sheriff and a few others rushed toward him, but before they
reached his side he threw his left hand to his head and sent a pistol ball crashing into
his brain. It was such an intensely dramatic scene that all stood appalled for a moment,
then there was a rush to rescue the dead body of constable Barner from the burning
building. And scarcely had the last of those who entered stepped from the door when
a terrific explosion sent the whole end of the structure, wrecked in thousands of fire-
brands. It was the result of another of Ettlinger’s hellish designs. He had m. ed his
house with dynamite to blow up any party that might have forced its way in.
This is a brief story of the tragedy. The entire county felt relieved and there was
universal approval of sheriff Condo’s course in having accomplished what he did with-
out the loss of a life. No one, for a moment thought that he would have to pay for the
building destroyed. He fired it upon the advice of hundreds of sober men, after mature
deliberation and when no other plan seemed possible.
No one supposed that the Goecdman heirs would be compelled to suffer the loss,
either, but it was generally believed that the county would pay it without question.
And this was the evident intention of the commissioners, but when the Goodmans pre-
sented their bill the value of the house was so over-estimated that the commissioners de-
clined to settle on such a basis. This resulted in three suits being instituted. One,
against John P. Condo and his deputies; the others, against Condo and his bondsmen
and the county. They were entered for the August term, 1897, and reached trial at
the November sessions, 1898. At that time the case against Condo and his deputies
was taken up first and went to the jury; the court having first propounded four questions
for it to answer. The members of the jury were under the impression that they were
merely fixing the value of the building and returned with a verdict of $865.00. That
they bad no idea that sheriff Condo was to be made pay it was clearly demonstrated by
several of the jurors who called at this office to protest against the assertions made in
an editorial published in the WATCHMAN of Dec. 16th, 1898, under the caption ‘‘Mulect-
ing a Sheriff for Doing His Duty.’” Probably not one of the twelve men who passed
upon it at that time thought that the sheriff ought to pay it. In fact, those who spoke
to us declared, emphatically, that such would be an injustice. The court had reserved
points of law, however, upon which it decreed that sheriff Condo and his deputies were
responsible.
This decree was handed down on Aagust 28th, 1899, and a new trial refused. Im-
mediately Messrs John G. Joknson, J. C. Meyer and Jno. M. Dale, attorneys for the
sheriff, carried an appeal to the Superior court, with the result that judge Beeber has
just handed down.
It is not with any intention of questioning the equity of the case or reflecting upon’
the courts that have passed upon it that this fund has been started. It is common sense,
however, that will point out to most men that a great injustice is being done an official
who was in faithful pursuit of his duty. Centre county never knew a better sheriff than
was John P. Condo. He left Bellefonte in January, 1897, with the contidence and es-
ecm of all who had business or social relations with him. On Saturday, Jan. 2nd, ’97
former judge Furst arose, voluntarily, in the court room and spoke such words of praise
as are seldom heard of any man. His honor, judge Love, followed judge Furst with
ecomiums of equal warmth and sheriff Condo retired from official life.
It is such a man who mustjnow pay the $865.00 for the Goodman house, in addition
to the costs that run the bill up to nearly $1,400.00. And it is for this man that the
WATCHMAN calls upon the public for re-imbursement. He makes no appeal, but Cen-
tre county cannot afford to have a faithful officer thus mulcted. He saved the lives of
many—in all probability—and now must pay dearly for it. He restored order and quiet
to a terror stricken community and must suffer the consequences of a law defying des-
perado’s murderous act for doing it, unless we rally to share the burden.
Confident that the people of Centre county will not be willing to permit such an
outrage we make this call upon your generosity.
Subscribe whatever you feel you are able to give towards the fund, which is to be
known as the People of Centre County’s Re-imbursement to a Faithful Sheriff. Money
or subscriptions can he forwarded to this office or to the Jackson, Hastings & Co. bank,
which will be make the depository of all funds and the list of contributors will he pub-
lished from week to week.
The work has started off enthusiastically already and we call upon every person in
Centre county to take it up for the honor of the county. Any sum will be acceptable,
because it will record the substantial sympathy of the donor.
Don’t stand back is this laudable work. Those who had witness fees or other costs
that have not been drawn, who care to contribute all or a part of them to the fund can
doso. It will be the same as a cash contribution. Send along a relinquishment of the
claim.
The mere annonncement of the WATCHMAN'’S intention to start such a fund was
enough to bring forth the following generous offers :
A Friend - - - - - $50.00
The Democratic Watchman - - - 25.00
M. Fauble & Son - - - - 10.00
Thos. H. Harter - - - - 5.00
Montgomery & Co - - - - 10.00
100.00
Nine Towns Have Been Garrisoned.
With the Forty-Third and Forty-Seventh Regiments
A Thousand Insurgents Were Encountered During
Trip. Americans Lost One Man.
MANILA, Feb. 5.—2.50 p. m. —Briga-
dier General Kobb’s expedition in the
islands of Luzon, Leyte and Samar, has oc-
cupied permanently and garrisoned nine
towns with the Forty-third and Forty-sev-
enth regiments. This has placed on the
market 180,000 bales of hemp.
A thousand insurgents armed with rifles
and over 5,000 armed with woodenswords,
bows and arrows, were encountered during
the entire trip. The troops killed seventy
natives, eleven of whom had rifles. The
others were villagers armed with wooden
swords. The American loss was one man
killed and nine men wounded. The Amer-
icans captured $9,000 in gold, enemy’s
money, and forty muzzle loading brass
cannon. At Calbagog and Samar the en-
emy evacuated the towns, the Americans
chasing fighting, scattering them to the
mountains.
At Catbalogan, Lukban, the Tagalog
general fired the place with kerosene juss
before the Americans Janded and then
fought with cannon and rifles from the
hills encircling the town for two hours.
When the Filipinos were driven out the
Americans did their best to save the town,
fighting the fire for several hours. Thirty
stone and sixty other houses, half the bus-
iness portion of the place, were consumed.
The soldiers prevented the fire from spread-
ing. The next day Major Allen, with
three companies of the Forty-third regi-
ment, pursued Lukban to the mountain
fastnesses and thence to the coast town
where Lukban was heading in hope of es.
caping. Lukban, by taxing the natives,
has accumulated $100,000 in gold. His
capture is probable.
At Takloban, island of Leyte, the enemy
evacuated the town and the Americans
pursued them to the hills. Several fleeing
von-combatants were killed, including
three women.
At Palo, seven miles distaut, the enemy
was found entrenched and resisted.
Lieutenant Johnston and twelve scouts
of the Forty-third regiment drove out 150
of the enemy and captured the town.
The insurgents in these towns were
mostly Visayans who had been impressed
into the service of the Tagalog leaders from
Luzon.
The Visayans appear indifferent or sul-
lenly antagonistic to the American occupa-
tion. The Tagalog chiefs influenced them
against us, but, when they perceive we are
much more powerful than the Tagalogs
and intend to maintain garrisons in order
to open the islands to commerce, it is be-
lieved the rebel party will lose its popular-
ity.
The Americans are gladly accepted by
the inhabitants, who are daily returning to
the towns. There is a rush of commercial
vessels from Manila to these new ports.
The Forty-Seventh in Trouble.
Holding off the Insurgents in a Convent.
MANILA, February 6.—The insurgents
attacked the First battalion of the Forty-
fifth infantry, near Nice. A major and a
captain were wounded and one sergeant
killed, but details of the engagement are
lacking.
Ships arriving from Legaspi reported that
the insurgent General Pana concentrated a
large force about the top of the town and
made a sharp night attack on Major Ship-
ton’s battalion of the Forty-seventh infan-
try, which occupied a large convent as a
fort. One battalion and a baftery have
sailed as reinforcements for Shipton. The
casualties are unknown.
A corporal and four men while patroling
the railroad near Mabalacat recently dis-
appeared and are supposed to have been
captured. A searching party looking for
them was ambushed and a corporal killed.
Hon. William Goebel is Dead.
The Democratic Leader Succumbed to His Wound at
6. 40 O'clock on Saturday Evening. The End Came
Peacefully.
FRANKFORT, Ky., Feb. 4.—William
Goebel is dead. After a battle for life, in
which even his bitterest enemies were fore-
ed to acknowledge his courage and deter
mination, the Democratic leader and poli-
tician succumbed to his wound at 6.40
o’clock last evening.
He had been sinking gradually all after-
noon, with an occasional slight rally, but
so surely marked for death that his physi-
cians thrice predicted before sunset that he
could not live five minutes longer. Yet he
did, fighting up to the very last minute
for existence, and with his last words a re-
assurance to his attendants who had warn-
ed him so many times that his hours were
few.
The end came very peacefully and quiet-
ly. He breathed his last at 6.40. His
brother, Authur, and his sister Mrs. Braun-
acker, of Hartwell, O., were in the room
at the time.
INTERMENT IN FRANKFORT.
The remains of Governor Goebel were
buried yesterday in Frankfort, in the cem-
etery where lie the remains of Daniel
Boone. Vice President Richard Johnson
and several Kentucky Governors, eminent
jurists and soldiers.
Although the burial took place in Frank-
fort, in accordance with the wishes of the
friends of the dead man, the funeral serv-
ices were held in Covington, his home.
The remains were taken to Covington Mon-
day on a special train accompanied by the
relatives of the dead man, the legislative
committee,judges of the court of appeal and
other political friends. Tuesday morning
they were conveyed to Odd Fellows’ hall
in Covington, and from 8:30 in the morn-
ing until 10 in the evening laid in state.
Funeral services were extremely simple, in
deference to the wishes of the family.
Wednesday morning the remains were
taken back to Frankfort and placed in the
big ball room of the Capitol hotel, where
they laid in state that day.
Plans for the raising of funds by popular
subscription for the erection of a monument
to Governor Goebel’s memory are rapidly
taking shape.
Artificial Lumber.
The latest novelty in the building line
is artificial lumber. It is the invention of
Oscar L. Gardner, of Brooklyn Patents
have been obtained in the United States,
Canada, Australia and all over Europe.
The Artificial Lumber company of Amer-
ica has been formed with a capital of $12,-
000,000 and the building trade is about to
be revolutionized. Artificial lumber is
made from straw into long fibre hoards
and is fire proof, non-conductor of heat or
cold, air tight, will not warp or split, free
from cracks, deadens all reverberations,
gives back no echo, obviates the use of
lath and plaster. saves labor and material,
has more uses than natural wood, rivals
mahogany and oak in durability, has a
beautiful finish and is cheaper than wood.
FOR THE SOLDIERS AND SAILORS
MONUMENT.
The Schools of the County Co-operating in the Monu-
ment. Supt. Gramliey Issues a Call to Work for the
Monument Fund.—A day set apart for the Promo-
tion of the Work. Scholars, Parents and Teachers
to Join Forces in Observing a Memorial Day. A
Sketch of Curtin’s Life.
To THE TEACHERS OF CENTRE COUNTY.
At the last annual session of the teach-
ers’ institute the following resolution was
adopted.
Resolved : That in furtherance of the proposed
monument to be erected to the memory ofthe
soldiers and sailors of Centre county, in the war
of the rebellion, with which a statue of the late
Gov. A. G. Curtin is to be connected, we recom-
mend the observance of a “Memorial Day’ some
time during the present term, the date to be fixed
by the county superintendent.
The object of this action is to acquaint the
boys and girls with the unswerving pa-
triotism of Gov. Curtin, and the active part
he took in the cause of the public schools, -
and to teach them to revere the memory of
those who sacrificed their lives that we may
enjoy our glorious heritage.
Gov. Pollock, recognizing the eminent
qualifications of Hon. A. G. Curtin, ap-
pointed him Secretary of the Common-
wealth, a position which he filled with sig-
nal honor and ability, and in addition to
the duty of Secretary proper, he was ex-of-
Jicio Superintendent of Pablic Schools. In
this position he took special pride and la-
bored zealously, and was instrumental in
inaugurating great improvements in the
common school system.
Centre county was the home of Hon. A.
G. Curtin, ‘‘Pennsylvania’s War Gover-
nor,”’ who ranked with the ablest lawyers,
greatest statesmen, and most benevolent
citizens of his time. His career as Gover-
nor was filled with acts of kindness and
beneficence in behalf of the State, and he
was ceaseless in his devotion to the interests
and wants of those whom the State had giv-
en for national defense. ‘‘The desolate
hearth-stone and the moans of the bereaved
excited his sympathy, and he devised a
system of care and instruction for the or-
phans of the fallen which should make the
State their guardian and support.” This
was possibly the crowning act of his life.
‘‘He was the soldier’s friend and made his
orphans the children of the State.”” Of him
it may be truly said.
“One of the few immortal names
That were not born to die.”
February 22nd, 1900, is designated as
‘Parents’ and Memorial Day,’”’ and it is
hoped every school in the county will pre-
pare appropriate exercises for the occasion,
and make special efforts to secure the co-
operation of parents, friends and veterans;
thus giving to patrons the privilege to see
the work done in the schools, and at the
same time show honor and reverence to the
soldiers and sailors that fell in battle.
To show our further appreciation of the
heroes of the civil war, it is suggested, yea
urged, that a collection be taken, and may
it be a liberal one.
Contributions are to be forwarded to the
undersigned, who will acknowledge the
same through the county press, or through
any channel designated by the Veteran
Club monument committee.
C. LL. GRAMLEY,
County Superintendent.
The foregoing call of county superintend-
ent Gramley is sufficiently explanatory and
it is hoped there will be a rousing response
to it in the schools of the county. Already
many of them are making preparations for
a proper observance of the day and especi-
ally commendable is the plan that the
schools of Millheim have adopted in com-
bining for a joint exhibition and in order to
accommodate all who care to witness it the
celebration will be carried to the town hall,
which has a much greater seating capacity
than any of the schools rooms.
I'or the benefit,of those teachers and
scholars in the public schools of the county
who do not have any work on Cartin at
hand we republish the following sketch of
his life from the WATCHMAN of Oct. 12th,
1894.
EX-GOVERNOR CURTIN’S CAREER.
Andrew Gregg Curtin was born at Belle-
fonte, Centre county, Pa., April 22nd,
1815.
Seventeen years before his birth his fath-
er, Roland Curtin, settled in Bellefonte and
began the manufacture of iron. He was a
pioneer in this great industry, which has
now grown to such gigantic proportions in
this State. He is said to have erected one
of the first, if not the first, iron furnaces
built in Pennsylvania. He emigrated from
Ireland seven years hefore settling in Belle-
fonte, and brought with him to this coun-
try wealth and a good education, obtained
at the French capital. His second wife was
the daughter of Andrew Gregg, who served
as United States Senator, member of Con-
gress, and Secretary of State. So, in birth
and advantages, Governor Curtin was favor-
ed above the lot of most men. He had
every advantage of education that the
schools and academies of Bellefonte afford-
ed, and after a term of school at Harrisburg,
ended his academic education at Milton.
At the time of his graduation William
W. Potter who was afterwards iu Congress,
was practicing law in Bellefonte, and with
him young Curtin began the study of law.
He finished with Judge Reed, then one of
the greatest attorneys of the State, after
graduating from the law department of
Dickinson college, at Carlisle. He was
admitted to the bar in his native place, and
began the practice of the law in 1837. He
at once took a leading position in his pro-
fession, but was noted as an advocate rath-
er than as a close practitioner. His powers
as a speaker naturally tarned him in the
direction of politics, and when only twen-
ty-three years of age he made a State repu-
tation as an orator in the campaign of
“Tippecanoe and Tyler too.” He was an
ardent Whig, and in 1844 made a canvass
of the State for Henry Clay.
EARLY POLITICAL CAREER.
The reputation he had made as a speaker
in 1840, in behalf of General Harrison, gave
him leading rank on the stump in 1844.
His success in this campaign stamped him
as a man of not only great oratorical power
but of keen wit and humor, and of politic-
al foresight far beyond his years. From
this campaign Mr. Curtin’s political ad-
vancement dated, and his reputation as an
advocate grew.
In 1848 he was a presidential elector,
and his efforts in behalf of General Taylor
were everywhere recognized as contributing
to his election. In 1852 he was again upon
the electoral ticket. and in the forefront of
the battle for the Whig party. In 1854 his
leading position asa man and politician
was so well recognized that his party
desired him to become its ~ candi-
date for Governor. He declined the
honor, but ggve his best efforts to the
election of Mr. Pollock, who, after his suec-
cess, appointed him Secretary of State. In
those days this position was one of greater
power and influence than at present, for in
addition to the regular duties of Secretary
of State those of Superintendent of Public
Schools were added, and under his admin-
istration the school system of the State re-
ceived a strong impetus in the direction of
its modern development.
In the years from 1854 to 1869, when the
Republican party was springing into life as
a result of the agitation of the slavery ques-
tion, he naturally took a leading position
in the stirring events which attended the
birth of the new party, and in 1860 was
made its candidate for Governor. This
honor was the more couspicuous because of
the all important questions then pending,
and because the future of the party, virtu-
ally born with his nomination, depended
almost entirely upon his success.
AT CHICAGO IN 1860.
The election of Lincoln depended upon
the two doubtful States, Pennsylvania and
Indiana. Both of them held their state
election in the October preceding the Nov-
ember election, and it was therefore essen-
tial, nationally, that these two States
should declare for the Republican candi-
date to insure his election. When the con-
vention met at Chicago, it was apparent
that Seward was the choice of a large ma-
jority ‘of the delegates. But it was morally
certain that Pennsylvania could not be car-
ried for the Republicans with Seward as
the presidential candidate; for it had been
charged, and was believed, that he had been
elected Goveriior of New York as a Whig,
upon an understanding with Bishop Hughes
that the school fund of the State was to be
divided with the Catholic educational in-
stitutions. Hence the native Americans in
the Republican parcy, who came to it after
the death of the Know-Nothing party, were
bitterly opposed to him. It will thus be
seen that at the outset of Mr. Curtin’s ca-
reer as the Republican nominee for Gover-
nor, his own position as well as the position
of his State attracted the attention of the
whole country.
The Pennsylvania delegation in the Pres-
idential convention of 1860 was instructed
for General Simon Cameron, with John
McLane, of Ohio, as its second choice. The
necesvity of carrying Pennsylvania in Octo-
ber for the success of the Republican ticket
in November being so apparent, Curtin
went to Chicago with A.K. McClure chair-
man of the Republican state committee,
where he met Henry S. Lane, of Indiana.
It would be hard to picture the important
part which Mr. Curtin and his position
played in the nomination of Mr. Lincoln.
He and Henry S. Laue, of Indiana,decided
the contest in Lincoln’s favor.
While the convention was largely in fa-
vor of Mr. Seward, most of the delegates
outside of New York were willing to forego
their preference, and nominate a candidate
acceptable to Mr. Curtin and Henry S.
Lane, the candidates for Governor in the
two October States.
ELECTED GOVERNOR OF PENNSYLVANIA.
The presidential convention over, Mr.
Curtin turned his attention to the duties of
his own campaign with characteristic ener-
gy, and his brilliant personal canvass is still
remembered with enthusiasm. He was
elected in October, by a large wajority as
was Henry S. Lane in Indiana.
The wisdom of the selection of Governor
Curtin from his party standpoint was justi-
fied from the day he assumed the position
to which he had been elected, in the intel- |-
ligence with which he dealt with the grave
questions forcing themselves upon the
Executive of a great State, with the nation
upon the threshold of a sectional war. He
was guided by wise counselors and was
himself discreet, conservative, and able in
the discharge of his important and delicate
duties, during the trying days when all
were endeavoring to peaceably prevent re-
bellion. He was patriotic, firm and even
stubbornly courageous when all efforts fail-
ed and the war came.
A PATRIOTIC INAUGURAL.
In bis inaugural address in January,
1861, Governor Curtin said :
‘‘No one who know the history of Penn-
sylvania and understands the opinions and
feelings of her people, can justly charge us
with hostility to our brethren of other
States. We regard them as friends and fel-
low countrymen, in whose welfare we feel
a kindred interest; and we recognize in
their broadest extent all our constitutional
obligations to them. These we are ready
and willing to observe, generously and fra-
ternally in their letter and spirit with un-
swerving fidelity. Ours is a National Gov-
ernment. It has within the sphere of its
action all the attributes of sovereignty, and
among these are the right and duty of self
preservation. It is based upon a compact
to which all the people of the United States
are parties. It is the result of mutual con-
cessions, which were made for the purpose
of securing reciprocal benefits. It acts di-
rectly on the people, and they owe ita
personal allegiance. No part of the people,
no State, nor combination of States, can
voluntarily secede from the Union, nor ab-
solve themselves from their obligations to
it. Topermit a Strate to withdraw at pleas-
ure from the Union, without the consent of
the rest, is to confess that our Government
is a failure. Pennsylvania can never ac-
quiesce in such a conspiracy, nor assent to
a doctrine which involves the destruction
of the Government. If the Government is
to exist, all the requirements of the Consti-
tution must be obeyed; and it must have
power adequate to the enforcement of the
supreme law of the land in every State. It
is the first duty of the national authorities
to stay the progress of anarchy and enforce
the laws, and Pennsylvania, with a united
people, will give them an honest, faithful,
and active support. The people mean to
preserve the integrity of the National Union
at every hazard.”’
SERVICES DURING THE WAR.
The civil war followed close upon Cur-
tin’s inauguration as the chief executive of
the State, and when the first gun was fired
he sprang to the duty of raising troops for
the General Government, with an energy
and spirit unequalled by any other state
executive. He encouraged enlistments in
every possible way, and in an eloquent war
speech just after the fall of Sumpter he
kindled campfires upon almest every hearth
in Pennsylvania, and called more men into
service than were asked for by the General
Government.
Governor Curtin’s administration was
conspicuous for the heneficent and merciful
policy adopted to temper the terrible
scourge of war. He was ceaseless in his
devotion to the interests and the wants of
those whom the State had given for the na-
tional defence. He went to the field and
visited them in their camps, not with pomp
and ceremony, but to encourage them by
personal intercourse. In the hospitals he
gave words of hope to the wounded and
suffering, and bore messages of affection to
and from loved ones at home. No letter
from a soldier at the front, whether officer
or private, was ever received without being
promptly answered. It mattered not how
impossible was the request, if it could not
be granted the reason was kindly told. In
every time of suffering and discouragement
the soldier felt that he who represented the
power and majesty of the Commonwealth
at home was mindful of him. Wherever
were sickness, or wounds, or death, there
was the official agent of the State to per-
form every duty to the living and the last
rites to the dead. The bodies of the dead
were brought back to sleep with their
kindred, and their names eurolled in the
lists of the martyred patriots.
Nor was the solicitude of the Governor
confined to the soldier. He beheld his
family broken, and left without support
and protection by his death. The desolate
hearthstone and the means of the bereaved
excited his sympathy, and he applied him-
self vigorously to the originating of a sys-
tem of care and instruction for the orphans
of the fallen slain, which should make the
State their guardian and supporter until of
sufficient age to provide for themselves.
He was successful in his humane and
patriotic endeavors. The Legislature gave
an attentive ear to his appeals, and voted
liberally millions of money for this worthy
object. The fruit of this expenditure will
be most abundant. A body of well-instruct-
ed and morally trained young men and
women will be given to the Commonwealth,
instead of an equal number of the offspring
of ignorance and want, which otherwise
would almost inevitably have been the re-
sult. When he shall be laid in an honored
grave, no prouder line will be found in-
scribed upon his tombstone than this : ‘‘He
made the orphans of the soldiers the chil-
dren of the State !”’
RE-ELECTED GOVERNOR.
In 1863, Governor Curtin was, from his
arduous labors, broken in health, and was
compelled to give himself, for weeks at a
time, to the exclusive care of an eminent
physician in New York. President Lincoln
appreciating his services, and recognizing
the necessity of a change of climate and em-
ployment, formally tendered him a first
class foreign mission, which the Governor
signified his willingness to accept when his
term should expire. But in the meantime
he was nominated for re-election, and re-
linquishing his intention of going abroad,
he accepted the call of his fellow citizens,
and again entered upon the canvass.
Thousands of voters were beyond the limits
of the Commonweath, facing a still defiant
foe; but they generally favored the re-elec-
tion of Governor Curtin and he was elected
by a “‘returned’’ majority of about 15,000.
It was the aspiration of his friends that
he should be made United States Senator
at the end of his second gubernatorial term
but the influences which had ever been hos-
tile to him prevented. Soon after General
Grant's election, Governor Curtin was nom-
inated and confirmed as Minister to Russia,
and spent nearly four years at St. Peters-
barg.
A LIBERAL REPUBLICAN IN 1872.
Minister Curtin returned home in 1872,
and took part in the liberal Republican
movement which nominated Horace Gree-
ley. He was very prominently spoken of
for thesecond place on that ticket, and was
the choice of the Pennsylvania delegation
in the Greeley convention for President.
His connection with the Liberal Republi-
can movement, and the fact that his power
and influence in the Republican party,
which were eminent while he remained in
the country, but which had been broken
during his absence, carried him into the
Democratic party.
He was a member of the Constitutional
Convention of 1872-73, and for a few years
after had little to do with politics.
HE JOINS THE DEMOCRACY.
When he wearied of the quiet of business
life and longed for politics, Governor Cur-
“tin found a place in the Democratic party,
and was nominated for Congress in 1878
when he was defeated by the Greenbackers.
He was nominated again in 1880 by the
Democrats of his congressional district, and
was elected for two terms, retiring in 1887
near the close of his 71st year. In Congress
Governor Curtin wasa faithful public ser-
vant, and attracted much public attention.
At one time he was chairman of the House
Foreign Affairs committee.
HIS CLOSING YEARS.
After leaving Congress Governor Curtin
pursued a quiet life at his mountain home,
this place, respected and esteemed by peo-
ple of all classes. His familiar figure was
an every day sight on our streets. Tall
and erect as in youth he would walk about
for his daily exercise. Until within a very
short time previous to his death he kept up
a lively interest in the politics of the coun-
ty and it was his influence that made his
friend Dr. J. H. Dobbins the postmaster
here under the former Cleveland adminis-
tration and not until he had given evidence
that it would prove satisfactory would the
Department recommend the appointment
of his successor. His time was occu-
pied in looking after his business here and
dispensing charities. No more pleasant
hour could be spent than a talk with the
ex-Governor, he always loved young people
and gave them friendly counsel whenever
an opportunity presented itself and those
who enjoyed his intimacy will cherish his
Tha rming personality as long as memory
asts.
To Be a Soldiers Monument.
To THE PEOPLE OF CENTRE COUNTY:
In order.to correct misapprehension and
misunderstanding made apparent by many
inquiries concerning the purpose of the
erection of the proposed soldiers’ monu-
ment, we beg to say that at the meeting of
the Veteran Club of Centre county in 1894,
in the series of resolutions adopted, it was
set forth:
‘That Centre county owes it to the memory
of the dead and the commemoration of the
virtues of those who live to see that a suit-
able monument be erected in a central place
which will commemorate the part taken by
her sons in the war of the rebellion’ and
That, 1 the judgment of the Veteran Club,
the monument should embody, as one of its
features, astatue of Andrew G. Curtin, the
War Governor of the Commonwealth, so that
hisservices may be perpetuated in connection
with the monument to our dead heroes.”
The monument for which an appropria-
tion by the connty has been recommended
by the grand jury and approved by the
court is to be strictly a soldiers’ monument,
commemorative of the lives and services of
the men from Centre county who gave up
their lives during our civil war. Whilst
the survivors who served in that war are
anxious to have the memory of Gov. Curtin
commemorated in connection with their