^•;^'.i^^' !ig^!)''.:tVtf:vJ<;;4!;- ' ' '5, 1) : y * •< f Class u. i=Ll. Book^£_li___ Copyright N" COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT. JAMES CLARK STRONG This picture taken on eighty-fourth birthday 1910 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF JAMES CLARK STRONG Colonel and Brigadier General, by Brevet. Los Gatos, Santa Clara County, California. 1910 Copyright 1910 BY James Clark Strong ©C1.A*^8(;082 DEDICATION This Biographical Sketch is affectionately dedicated to my loving wife EMILY K. STRONG Who is still with me, and has been my faithful companion for over fifty years, and to our children JEAN D. STRONG EDWARD CLARK STRONG STUART EFNER STRONG PREFACE This Biographical Sketch is written at the request of my family, and is written in a free, off-hand manner without any attempt at style or literary merit. I may be mistaken as to the date of some of the incidents narrated and also in their chronological order in some cases, but that — it seems to me — can, and will be overlooked. If anyone desires to know more of the history of my an- cestors I refer them to Rev. B. H. Dwight's History of the Strong family, printed by Joel Munsell, Albany, N. Y., 1871. Our branch comes through; ist, Elder John Strong; 2(1, Jedediah ; 3r(l, fVeserved ; 4th, Noah; 5th, Adonijah, who was mv grandfather. He was a Colonel in the Revolutionary War, and was made Commissary (icneral of the Army in the New England States, by General Washington. My mother's family is given in the ''Genealogy of the Stod- dard family, originall}' compiled by Charles Stoddard and hUijah W. Stoddard and published in 1849. Revised and en- larged by Elijah W. Stoddard, and re-published in 1865. Press of J. M. l>ra(lstreet & Son, 8 Spruce Street, New York."" SYNOPSIS OF CONTENTS. Page CHAPTER I. ------ 1 FATHER. My brothers. CHAPTER H. ------ n MOTHER. Her genealogy. My farming days. Peddling books when fifteen. CHAPTER HI. - - - - - - 20 Dr. Marcus Whitman. First one to interest me in the Indians. Advised me to study medicine. Taught school. CHAPTER IV. ------ 27 Williston, Easthampton, Mass. Incidents while there. Health tailed. Began studying medicine. CHAPTER V. - - ' - - - - 41 Journey to Oregon with Brother William. Rio Janeiro. Saint Catharmes. Cape Horn. Valparaiso. San Francisco. Astoria. CHAPTER VI. ------ 54 Earlv days in Oregon. Cathlamet. Fort Vancouver. Major Ingais. Captain \J. S. Grant. Oregon divided. Inhabitants disap'pointed because new territory was named "Washington." Member of its First Legislature. Appointed Asst. U. S. Attorney. Elected Prosecuting Attorney. Visited the States, expecting to return. Remained there on account of my aged mother. Married. CHAPTER VII. ------ 62 Civil War. Captain in 21st Regt. N. Y. Vols. Incidents while guarding the Long Bridge at Washington, D. C. Gov. Mor- gan's visit to Col. Rogers at Fort Runyon. Promoted to Lieut. Col. 38th N. Y. Vols. CHAPTER VIII. ------ 72 Located the sharp-shooter. My balloon target for enemy's tield-piece. Over the works at Yorktown. Buried shells. Gen. McClellan astonished. Ordered to double quick. Gen. Hooker's men on the retreat. Ordered to drive the enemy's skirmishers from the woods on the right. Gen. Kearney's order. Advanced on al)atis in front of their redoubt. Drove enemy from ritie-pit with bayonet. I fell ; shot through the hip. Kindness of my men. Surgeon Berry of the 38th. Gave orders to Captain of steamboat. Gen. Rufus Ingalls. CHAPTER IX. ------ 83 Arrival of brother John at Fortress Monroe. Steamboat. Cars. Reached home. Letter from Col. Ward. General Birney's report. Commissioned Colonel 38th X. Y. Vols. Mustered out with regiment. CHAPTER X. ------ 91 Commissioned Colonel I5th Regt. Vet. Res. Corps. Commis- sion signed by President Lincoln. Ordered to take command of the post at Chicago, including Camp Douglass. Number of prisoners became too great for one regiment to guard. The 8th V. R. C, Col. and Bvt. Brig. Gen. Sweet, and a battery sent to assist. Ordered to report to General Meade in Phila- delphia. Mistaken for General U. S. Grant. Lectured in Eng- land on North American Indians. Pleasant incident on return voyage. Moved to California. CHAPTER XL ----- - 100 Visited the Lewis and Clark Exposition at Portland, Oregon, in 1905. Trip to Alaska. Surprised at the climate, flowers, and beautiful scenery. 1906, visited Buffalo, N. Y. Found it much changed. Conclusion. LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. Page JAMES CLARK STRONG - - - (frontispiece) REV. HENRY PIERCE STRONG LAURA STODDARD CLARK STRONG • - 9 HON. WILLIAM STRONG _ . - - 39 JOHN C. STRONG, ESQ. - . - - 81 REV. HEXRY PIERCE STRONG 1785 - 1835 Chapter I FATHER. My father, Re:v. Henry Pierce: Strong, was born in Salisbury, Connecticut, Feb. 2^^, 1785, graduated at Yale Col- lege, class of 1807, and at the /Vndover Theological Seminary in 1810; married Nov. 6, 1810, Laura Stoddard Clark, daughter of James Clark, and Hannah Stoddard, born in Dan- bury, Connecticut, Nov. 3, 1786. In x\ndover, father and Professor Moses Stuart, (grand- father of Elizabeth Stuart Phelps Ward), became very warm friends, and married sisters. Prof- Stuart was five years older than father, and mother's sister, Abigal, (whom he married), was five years older than mother. Father settled and preached in New York City, and at several places in the New England States until he lost his voice from a bronchial difficulty which compelled him to retire from the ministry. He then moved to Vienna (now Phelps), Ontario County, N. Y., where he bought a farm and began farming, and here it was that I was born, ]\Iay 6, 1826. After a few years, father regained his voice sufficiently to preach again, and took charge of the church there, as well as the one at Oaks Corners, four miles distant. His farm consisted of eighty acres, and for some distance along where the house stood, joined the boundary line of the 2 CHAPTER I village, so we did not have to go more than about two blocks to reach the church, in the basement of which was held the Sunday School, which we all had to attend, from the time we were old enough to walk, and recite the seven verses we had learned during the week, for it was the rule in father's house for each child to learn one verse of the Bible every day. I remember his giving me a dollar, — which was a large sum of money for a little boy to have, — for reading the Bible through. Between our house and the village line father had a fine garden and on the sides of one of the walks had planted some tomatoes, although they were then thought to be poisonous to eat. He would let us boys play with them by rolling them in the walk, but told us, that should one break, not to touch it with our hands, but scrape it up with the shingle he gave us for that purpose and throw it over the fence. I remember the first time I saw tomatoes on the table as an edible vegetable, which was quite a while after father's death. In those days the use of intoxicating liquors was not considered wrong by the great majority of people, even min- isters of the Gospel used them, but father did not entertain that idea and never used them. He would make a bargain with the men he hired to mow the hay, — it was then all done ]:>y hand — that he would pay them a certain sum more than the going wages per day, if they would not use any intoxicat- ing liquor while working for him. T have heard my older brothers sav that fath.er made money by that arrangement as CHAPTBR I 3 the men would do more work, and could be relied upon to be on hand more regularly than the men on other farms who were paid less cash, and supplied with the customary amount of liquor. At Rushville, on the County line between Ontario and Yates Counties, and twenty miles distant from Vienna, lived my father's warm friend, Rev. Joseph Brackett, who had mar- ried a relative of my mother's. Mr. Brackett was taken sick and asked father to supply his pulpit during his illness, which he did. Mr. Brackett died in September, 1832, and father was asked to assume charge of the church. This he did, but did not move his family to Rushville, until May 6, 1833, the day I was seven years old. A short time before he moved to Rushville was the only time he ever punished me. I had been sent to school and had done something the lady teacher thought deserved punishment, and I have no doubt she was right, although I do not remember what it was ; she placed me between two negro girls about my own age and put one of their bonnets on my head. While in this, to me, disgraceful predicament, two ladies came in to visit the school, and while the teacher was attending to them, I jerked off the bonnet and ran down the stairs. The punisment father gave me was to take ofif my clothes, wrap me in a blanket, and hold me under the cistern pump, while my oldest brother pumped the water on to me ; then he carried me into the house and put me to bed. He did not send me back to that school, however, either because we were 4 CHAPTER I about to move to Rushville, or because he did not blame me much for running away. Father died in Rushville on August 28, 1835. "^^^ death of my father, when I was but nine years of age, was the great- est loss I ever suffered. He was a kind father, was highly educated, and very studious. At the time of his death, I had been studying Latin nearly two years, and although he was a very strict, puritanical man, I never felt afraid to ask him questions about my studies. When father died, he left mother money enough which put at interest brought her $310.00 a year, also ten acres of land with a very comfortable house upon it, in Rushville, and it was here she lived for many years. As this is but a sketch of my life, I will only mention those of my brothers who particularly come into it, except to show how many I had, and how mother was situated at the time this sketch begins. Henry Strong, M. D., my oldest brother, was married and living in Mississippi, when father died. He had attended Hamilton College, N. Y., but left prior to graduation. He obtained his medical education at the medical college in Louis- ville, Ky. His first wife dying, he married again, and prior to the Civil War, moved his family to Rockford, 111. He was a noted physician and surgeon, and his fame as such spread far and wide. When the Civil War broke out, he was commissioned a Major, in the Medical Corps, and ordered to report to Gen- eral Sherman, which he did, and served on his staff to the end CHAPTER I 5 of the war. General Sherman and he became very warm friends, sometimes joking upon their relationship. The Doc- tor was nine years older than the General, a strong Union man, and on his mother's side was fourth, and the General fifth, removed from a common parent ; a relationship far too distant to be claimed, or even spoken of, unless it connected one with a great and noble man like General William T. Sherman. George Perrine Strong, next younger than brother Henry, attended Hamilton College, but left prior to graduat- ing, went to Mississipppi, taught school, married, and studied law. Prior to the breaking out of the Civil War, moved his family to St. Louis, Mo., where he continued the practice of law, during the remainder of his life. He never lived at the Rushville home. William Strong was next younger than brother George. He never lived at the Rushville home, graduated at Yale Col- lege, class of 1838, studied law, married and settled in Cleve- land, Ohio. He enters into my life more than either of the two older ones, and I shall have more to say about him later on. John Calvin Strong was next younger than brother William. He was eight years older than myself, fitted for college at Canandaigua, N. Y., taught school, entered Yale College in 1838, graduated class of 1842, studied law, married in 1847, ^i^d began the practice of law in Geneva, N. Y. Thinking he could do better in a larger place, moved to Buffalo, N. Y., and continued the practice of his profession there during the remainder of his life, so he was not much at 6 CHAPTER I the Rushville home ; in fact, never Hved there after father's death. As he enters largely into my life I shall have more to say abont him later on. Thomas Strong was next younger than brother John, and four years older than myself. He remained at home and did his full share of the work, and mother kept him at school just as she did me, and we had lots of fun together. He never studied the languages, and why father did not make him study Latin, as he did all the older boys and myself, I do not know, unless it was because he saw that the trend of his mind was all for music. In the summer of 1837, he unfortunately had a heavy bar fall on the instep of one of his feet, which laid him up for quite a long time. After he became perfectly well, apparently, he went in swimming, caught cold, and rheumatism set in, from which he was a great sufferer all the rest of his life. Sometimes he would be better for a while, and then again be under the doctor's care, suffering great pain. Thus matters went on until brother Henry wrote mother to send him to IMississippi, hoping the climate might benefit him. This she did, but it did not do him as much good as they had hoped it would. He was passionately fond of music, was a sweet and powerful singer, and mother bought a piano for him, which he learned to play, and made some money giving public con- certs. After mother died, Thomas lived with brother Henry at CHAPTER I 7 Rockford, until death called him to that ''Haven of Rest" where all sufferings cease. He died very suddenly. One morning- at the breakfast table, after brother Henry's second wife had died, and Henry was away, one of his little boys was crying because the cook had failed to have a piece of pie ready for his lunch at school, and brother Thomas had quieted him, and made him very happy by saying, ''Never mind, Newtie. Uncle Tom will get you a nice, big red apple." Soon after when he started to rise to get the apple he was taken with a spasm, seized the arms of his chair, and was dead in less than ten minutes. He was never married. Charlks Strong — three years younger than myself. He was but six years old when father died, and lived at the Rush- ville home until he left for Oregon in rather a peculiar way. One time brother John, while living in Geneva, which was only sixteen miles from Rushville, was home visiting mother, when at the dinner table, Charlie said, "If I had ten dollars I would go to Oregon." "Don't let that stop you, Charlie," said brother John, at the same time handing him ten dollars. "All right, I'll go," said Charlie. When mother saw that he really meant it, she strenuously objected but after Charlie had left the room, John told her that he would get no farther than New York before he would be out of money and write for some to come home with, and he would send it to him, that the experience would do Charlie good, etc., etc. So mother let him go. When Charlie reached New York, he strolled around the 8 CHAPTER I docks until he found a vessel loading for San Francisco, and went to work checking on freight. He was always a very jolly fellow, and by the time the vessel was ready to sail, he had worked himself into the good graces of the captain to such an extent that he was shipped as Captain's Clerk. On rounding Cape Horn, the vessel was so nearly wrecked by a storm that they had great difficulty in keeping her afloat, and when they reached Valparaiso, Chili, the captain turned her over to the Underwriters. After a while, through the friendship and influence of the captain, he procured a position on another vessel to San Fran- cisco and from there had little or no difficulty in reaching Oregon. He remained there two or three years, then returned to the State of New York and married. During the Civil War, he was commissioned ist Lieuten- ant of Company K, 6th Reg't U. S. Vols., and served one and a half years guarding the Engineers surveying the first route for a railroad across the plains to California, and was then mustered out. LAURA STODDARD CLARK STROXO 1786 - 1861 Chapter II. MOTHER. My mother descended from Anthony Stoddard, of whom the historian says: "The name Stoddard is derived from the office of Stand- ard-Bearer. and was anciently written, De-La-Standard. In the office of Heraldry, England, the following origin of the Stoddard Family is found : "AVILLTAM STODDARD, a knight, came from Nor- mandy to England, A. D. 1066, with William the Conqueror, who was his cousin. Of his descendants we find record of" — (here the historian mentions quite a number, among whom is) "ANTHONY STODDARD, of London, who emigrated to Boston, about 1639." He was my mother's progenitor. Mother was a kind, loving mother, and kept me at home and at school in the village, earning what I could, for all schooling had to be paid for as there were no free schools then, — and she was not left rich — until the spring of 1838, when she put me out to work on a farm at $3.00 a month, which was good wages in those days for a boy only twelve years old. This farm was about six miles from home, if I went cross lots, and the farmer allowed me to walk home once in a while, on Saturday afternoon, but I must be back by milking time 12 CHAPTER 11. Monday morning. He had six cows, of which he milked four, and I two. There were no matches on the farms in the western part of the country in those days, and as our bed of coals had gone out one morning, I had to go to the nearest neighbor's, at least a half mile away, to get some coals with which to kindle the fire. It was considered a great invention when sulphur matches came into use ; these were made of fine splinters of dry pine, about four inches long, one end of which was dipped about half an inch in melted sulphur, and when that dried, they could be laid away until needed, then all one had to do to gel. a fire was to light some punk with a fiint and steel, touch the sulphur match to it, which would blaze, then light a candle and take your time at building a fire. They had been used at the East, and in villages, but not on farms in the West. Candles were all dipped at that time, and it was quite a knack to be a good candle maker, for one had to use his own judgment as to how many times to dip, to make the candle the right size for the wick, to prevent its smoking. Brothers Thomas, Charley and myself made all the candles mother used, and we thought it a great invention when candle molds came into use. We could then make a dozen at a time, and always the same size, so we had no trouble with smoky candles after getting the right sized wick for our molds. Just before my six months was ended. Mother lost her cow, and was greatly worried as to how she could get an- other. One day the farmer said, "Jimmy! I hear your mother has lost her cow. and if she wants vou to take old brindle for CHAPTER IL 13 your pay you may take her, although she is worth $20 and your wages will amount to but $18, but you have been a good bov and I will give her to your mother for your wages." So I drove the brindle cow home, and I guess it would have re- quired a modern search-light of the highest power to have found a prouder twelve year old boy in the whole State of New York. During the next v/inter Mother heard that a daughter of a friend of hers had married, and was living with her husband on a farm about twelve miles from Rushville, and that they wanted a boy about my age to work for them, and thinking that would be a good place, sent me there in the spring to work at $3 per month. I had not been there long before I wished I was somewhere else, anywhere I thought would be better than where that woman was. The man was kind and good, but the woman was a virago. She made me wash all the flannels and stockings, mop the floors, and do all the mean work about the house. She was very sweet and lovely to her husband when anyone was around, but a fearful tyrant when there wasn't. She had him so cowered that he did not dare oppose her in the slightest particular. I tried to write mother but was never allowed to send the letter. Thus matters went until the 3rd of July, when mother sent one of my brothers to bring me home to spend the 4th. I then told her what kind of work I had had to do and that I didn't like it. I found, however, that the woman had kept mother posted as to my health, saying I was well and happy, and was a good 14 CHAPTER II. boy. Then with my brother she sent a letter to mother say- ing she hoped nothing would prevent her sending me baci< to work out my six months. Mother listened to my complaints and then said that it was a boy's duty to obey his employer, and to do the work his employer wanted done, and that I must go back and finish the six months. I knew there was no appeal from her decision, and on the next Monday morning I went back. Matters went on again about as before for some time, until a little incident happened which mortified her exceeding- ly, for she wanted the neighbors to think her the ''pink of perfection." The cows were in the habit of coming up at night to the barn-yard ; to do this they had to come through a long lane from the pasture. One night one of them, a new one they had just purchased, did not come up, and the woman told me to go and find her. I went and looked thoroughly through the pasture, but, not finding the cow, came back. She saw me coming up the lane without the cow, met me at the barn-yard, and said, ''You go right back and find that cow, and» don't you come home 'till you do find her." T had been working all day and was tired and hungry, and said, "T want my supper first." She then said, "You shan't have any supper 'till you find that cow, and mind you, don't you come home without her." T went back, looked all around but could not find the cow. At the farther end of the ])asture was a swamp and finding a CHAPTER II. 15 piece of the fence broken down I thought possibly the cow might have gone into that, so I went in there quite a distance where I found a Httle island high and dry, on which was a large hollow log that had probably been cut down some years before as a bee tree. It was nearly dark, so I took the long stick I had been carrying to help me jump from bog to bog, and cleaned out the hollow, which was plenty large enough for me to crawl into, then gathered a lot of brush and placed it before the entrance and crawled in feet first, drawing the brush after me, thus stopping up the entrance, so that no squirrel, toad or even snake could get in. I felt so very tired that it was not long before I was sound asleep. When I saw daylight through the brush, I knew it must be morning, crawled out, began looking again for the cow, and, fortunately finding her in a ravine in some woods, drove her home. On nearing the barnyard I was surprised to see three or four men near the house and when they saw me, all came to meet me, the woman rushing up and throwing her arms around my neck, kissing and hugging me almost to death, covering me with endearing and loving epithets. One of the neighbors asked me why I didn't come back last night. "Because she told me not to come back until I found the cow, and said she wouldn't give me any supper if I did." I was asked where I stayed all night, etc., and I told them. These were neighbors who had gathered to go out and hunt further through the swamp for me, and it mortified her very much to have them hear my story. I learned afterwards that the woman's husband and one i6 CHAPTER 11. of the neighbors had been out all night hunting for me, firing guns, blowing horns and calling me, fearing I had gotten mired in the swamp, and that she had not gone to l^ed that night at all. She treated me much better after this, so I came to the conclusion that my night in the hollow log in the swamp was really a blessing in disguise as far as I was concerned. Mother sent for me when my time was out, and I had the satis- faction of handing her the eighteen dollars. During the next winter some one told mother that I could make more money peddling books and getting subscriptions for papers than I could farming, and that they could get authority for me to solicit subscriptions for some New York papers on commission. It was now nearly spring and hardly time to make all the arrangements, and as this year, 1840, was a presidential elec- tion year, it might not be a good one to start in that business, and as I, after my last experience, objected so strenuously to being put out on a farm again mother concluded to have me sta}- at home, and she would get things ready for next year. That summer I spent earning what I could at odd jobs, and by driving horses on thrashing machines for farmers nearby, at twenty-five cents a day, and when not at work, mother kept me reviewing my lessons, for she was one of those who did not beUeve in letting a boy be idle, and after General Harrison was nominated for president I spent some of my time riding in processions with other boys, singing, "Tip pccanoe and Tyler, too," which was great fun. When the fall term commenced 1 started in school again. CHAPTER II. 17 but getting provoked at the teacher, came home one day an 1 told mother, ''I don't want to go to school any more." I had a little touch of the disease called "big head", and thought I had enough schooling. Mother, after trying to reason me into changing my mind, and failing, said, "Well, you must learn some kind of business, then ; no boy of mine shall grow up a know-nothing if I can help it." I still remaining obdurate, she made an arrangement that very afternoon with a blacksmith whose shop was not far from our house to take me. I learned afterwards that it was under- stood between them that he should make me work very hard, and not let me come home, or play with any of the boys during work hours. He carried out mother's wishes to the letter, and I was so tired every night when I went home that I wanted to go to bed instead of going out with any of the boys. In about a week my pride gave way, and I told mother that I would rather go to school. "Oh, no!" she said, "I can't have a boy whiffling around like that and changing his mind every few days. You had a chance to go to school, and I told you how it would be, but you made your choice, contrary to my advice, and you must stick to it." I felt pretty sad when I went back to work the next day, and every night I would beg of mother to let me quit and not learn the business, promising her that I would always study after that, if she would only let me go to school again. \Mien it came the second Saturday night, the blacksmith told me that my mother had asked him to let me stop working 1 8 CHAPTER 11. for him, and go back to school, and he hoped I would be a good boy, and study hard. Monday morning saw me back at school. I had to stand a good many jeers from some of the boys, who had been over and seen me in the shop and who taunted me by saying 1 hadn't pluck enough to stand hard work, but that was better than not coming back to school. During that winter my mother's friends had procured authority for me to obtain subscriptions for some New York papers, and when it came pretty good going in the spring, mother let me take her horse and became security for what books I might need at a book store in Canandaigua. I made a water proof box that just fitted into the buggy, and on one Monday morning started out, a fifteen-year-old book peddler, most always returning home on Saturday afternoon. I kept at this business two summers, having a good deal of time to read, — of which I became very fond — much more than I could have had had I been working on a farm. Besides, it was an experience well worth having, one that could not be had in these days. I always stopped over night at some farm house, and being a little fellow, the family did not seem to mind my being present, and I saw a great deal of home life, without any veneer on it. Before I became well acquainted with my different routes I would sometimes reach a house where I expected to stay over night, and find they had no room for me, and if it was too late to go on, T would slecj) on the hay in the 1:)arn ; after I learned my routes I liad no trouble. Each fall when the CHAPTER II. 19 roads became bad, I went home, settled up all my accounts for books and papers, and again began going to school. At the end of the second summer, I had much more money than ever before, besides having acquired a good deal of experience and self-confidence, which was of great value to me in after life. Chapter HI. DOCTOR MARCUvS WHITMAN. I mention Dr. Marcus Whitman — the missionary who estabhshed the Whitman mission in Oregon — in this sketch, as he it was who first created the desire in me to go to Oregon, which tended greatly to mold my future life. His mother was a member of my father's church in Rush- ville, and other members of his family also lived there, with whom I was well acquainted; in short, he himself was born there. In the spring of 1843, '^^^ ^"^is return to Oregon, from Washington and Boston, after making that memorable ride across the continent during the winter of 1842 and 1843, ^^^ came to Rushville to see his mother, and while there gave a talk in the old church, telling of the missionary work among the Indians. He described the Indians, the country and the climate so vividly that when he said he wanted to get as many as he could to go back with him to settle in the country, I asked him to take me, but he said he wanted only married men, and as I lacked a month or more of being seventeen years old, and, of course, unmarried, J did not fill the requirements, but I became so deeply interested that I resolved to go there as soon as I could. It took me seven years to carry out that resolution, as will be seen later on. Several of us boys were very much interested in what he CHAPTBR III 21 told us about the two Indian boys, John I-ce, and Richard Tac-a-tu-i-tis, the ones he brought back with him from Ore- gon and left at Rushville during the winter of 1835 and 1836, while he went East and married. They attended the same school we did and we became much interested in them. I called upon Dr. Whitman the next da}' and asked him many questions about the Indians, and he, seeing how earnest I was, said, "The Indians need good doctors and if after you have nnished your education and studied medicme, you want to come, we should be glad to have you." This gave me an idea as to how I might get to Oregon. I had expected to resume peddling books again that sum- mer, but, before it was time to get ready, something occurred which changed my plans materially. A little east of Rushville was a district school that em- ployed a man teacher winters, and a woman teacher summers. Last winter the boys had thrown the teacher out of the school house and broken up the school. Two or tliree of that school board were warm friends of my mother, and members of the same church. One day I heard them say they had not found any one who n^ould take the school for the summer on account of the rough boys. I asked them what they would pay me. They smiled at first, but when they saw I was really in earnest, said that if I would agree to charge nothing in case I failed to keep the school, they would pay me so much, mentioning the amount. They had all known me from childhood. In those days it was the custom to have the teachers board around through the dis- 22 CHAPTER III trict, which I did not wish to do, and boarding at home would be of great advantage to me, as it would give me much time to study. After awhile we agreed upon a price, I to board at home, which 1 thought would be better for me than peddling books, taking into account the advantage of being at home. Alother thought so, too. I had but few scholars the first week and no trouble. One morning the second week, three large boys came, being the same who had thrown the teacher out of the school house the winter before. I could have handled either of them alone, but the three combined could easily have handled me. They did not bring any books. In a short time I saw by their actions there was trouble brewing, but being "forewarned is fore- armed," and I was ready for them. I had placed a bundle of good whips in my desk, and a revolver, loaded with a light charge of powder, and a quantity of salt, instead of bullets, in my coat pocket. It was not long before they were whispering and laughing. I told them to be still. They laughed at me, and one of them picked up an inkstand to throw at me, but I was too quick for him, and drawing my revolver, cocking it, and pointing it straight at him told him I would shoot if he attempted to throw that inkstand. He could see the bright caps on the revolver, which showed that it was loaded. The sight of a revolver was something far out of the ordinary and probably had never been seen in a schoolhouse, and had a very quieting effect upon all three. I then told them that I had heard of their tii rowing the teacher out of the schoolhouse last winter, and that he ought to have shot every one of them ; CHAPTER in 23 that the law would have justified him if he had, and that I was prepared, and would shoot every one who attempted to at- tack me, that I was going- to teach this school, and rather than be thrown out of the schoolhouse or have the school broken up, I would shoot every one of them. I then ordered the one who had seized the inkstand to come out onto the floor. He looked surprised and hesitated, but, after receiving assurances from me, in very sharp language, that he would be shot if he didn't, and seeing the revolver cocked and pointed straight at him, he came. I made him take of¥ his coat, and get upon his knees, and with revolver in one hand, and whip in the other I gave him a good thrashing, keeping my eye well on the other two, also. After I was through and he had arisen and put on his coat. I told him he might go home now, if he wished, of which permission he immediately took advantage. When re- cess came the other two went home and I saw no more of any of them. Before the summer was over I had fifty scholars, which was more than had ever attended the school before either winter or summer. I am sure had I not had the revolver and had I not pre- sented such a determined front, I would have been thrown out of that schoolhouse. I did not tell anyone except the schoolboard that it was loaded with salt instead of bullets. They did not blame me, and very few, not connected with the school ever heard of the revolver incident. I had a very pleas- ant summer, and in the fall began going to school again. Early the next spring, my brother William, — who, after graduating at Yale College, married and settled in Cleveland, 24 CHAPTER III Ohio — sent for me. I had spoken to him of my desire to study medicine and to go to Oregon where Dr. \Miitman was. He said he could now get me a place in a drug store of a friend of his, so I went to Cleveland. He was acquainted with an old doctor living there by the name of Gregory, who said to me — a short time before I was to enter the drug store, "]^[r. Strong. I think you are just the person mv son wants, and it will be a good job for you all summer, and will pay you twenty dollars a month and all ex- penses." I learned that his son. Dr. Charles Gregory, living at Sand Lake, a little east of Troy. X. Y.. had been putting Gregory's Pills upon the market for manv years and gotten rich enough to take them up through the country and confine his business entirely to wholesale houses : that he had had a man traveling with this object in view for two years, but when he started out this spring an accident happened which injured him so severely that he could not proceed farther on the trip. I accepted the offer, went to Sand Lake, and was instruct- ed in what I was to do. ]\[y equipment was most complete, consisting of a very fine horse, harness and buggy, so thorough- ly curtained tliat I could ride all dav in the rain, if necessary, without getting wet. T carried riothing but notes, with a memorandum book giving me the name of every place I was to visit, the number of miles each was from the other, and the name of the person or persons T was to see there. My instruc- tions were just as brief and to the point: "Never carry much monev. send it to me bv drafts on Xew York as often as vou CHAPTER III 25 can. Write to nic once or twice a week. Always stop at first class hotels, as a matter of safety, and alwavs have }onr buggy and harness \