Part 5

Some time after I ceased to receive pay. I then took the official letter of the Patriotic Fund, dated October 18th, 1894, to Senator J. Hawley. He said, “Why did you not come to me before, I would have put you back.” I told him I was not able to do anything. “Then what can I do for you?” he said. I replied that I wanted a place for my wife in the Treasury. He said, “I am sorry for your sake, I do not belong to that administration, but I will get her a place.” Three days after she was employed in the Treasury till we came to England. I have never been able since the Ford Theatre disaster to do any employment. I lived in Leek, Staffordshire, for sixteen months, and the chief of police and several of the magistrates, doctors and chemists of the town, know that I was sick in bed nearly all the time, and have been sick in Nottingham this last five months, but the climate seems to agree with me better, being my own native place.

I shall ever be grateful to America. It is a Heaven for a soldier. They never want, if a good record. If they cannot work they have Soldiers Homes to retire in; better looking than any Hotel in Nottingham. If they die their relatives receive ten pound to carry them to the finest Cemetery in the world; with marble head-stone, and their graves strewn with flowers every 30th of May. Any soldier with a record can get relief and forwarded to his destination. The Americans are the finest comrades in the world, and they are the only nation that can fight side by side with the British, they would understand one another and be proper chums, while other nations do not understand one another. You would require an interpreter to understand their names; much more work together in battle.

I have attended many fires and assisted to put them out, about 1860 I went to a fire at Mr. Hollins’ mills, near Pleasley, Derbyshire, no finer mills in England. After the fire engines were on some time, I told Mr. Hollins they were on the wrong side, and he had them removed to the other side. I told him the fire was on the top story and they put up ladders to reach it. No one man seemed to be able to carry the hose and leather pipes up. I told him it would be dangerous for many to be up so high when the water was put on, it would make it too heavy for the ladder. After several tried I took it up myself, broke in the window with a hammer, put in the hose and in half an hour or less I got inside, put out the fire and went down the stairs. I then walked to Mr. Hollins’ House, their dinner was on the table, and the room full of ladies and gentlemen; no one seemed to be dining. After I told Mr. Hollins I had put out the fire, I sat down and dined. He wanted to reward me, but I would not receive anything, and he placed me on his game list. I should not speak of this, only there are plenty of ladies and gentlemen living who can bear out this statement.

About 1874, I was walking up High Street, in Ayr, N.B., I saw a great blaze in the second story of Mr. Semple’s the largest Ironmonger in the town, and in the centre of the market space. I procured a bag of salt and went up stairs with it, the oil had caught fire in a large tank; in less than ten minutes I had it out, only Robert Reed was in the room. Mr. Semple sent me a handsome present.

If I was to give my life in full it would make a book. If my health gets better I will write fuller.

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Cause of the “Charge of the 600” BY THE “MAN OF THE HOUR.”

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Never before been published.

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To be obtained of all Booksellers in the United Kingdom and United States of America.

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PRICE SIXPENCE.

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Post Free in the United Kingdom, 7d. United States, 14 cent. stamps.

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Printed by Arthur Johnson, Maypole Yard, Nottingham, England.

Footnotes

{24} In the printed booklet “1875” is printed just above the heading “THE CROSS OF VALOUR.” However, it’s been crossed through, and doesn’t agree with the date of the letter. Perhaps it was meant for 1857?—DP.