The Morris County chronicle. [volume], May 06, 1898, Image 1

About The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915

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Morris County Chronicle.
VOLUME XXI.—NO. 36. MORRISTOWN. N. .1., FRIDAY, MAY 6, 1898._PRICE FIVE CENTS.
‘ RESOLVED: THAT THE PEOPLE OF THE ISLAND OF CUBA ARE, AND OF RIGHT OUGHT^TQBE, FREE AND INDEPENDENT.'’
DEWEY IS SILENT BUT SAFE.
No Doubt in Washington as to His Complete Victory
Movements of the War.
Strong Opinion that the Philippine Islands Should be Held Per
manently—General Merritt Called to Washington for Confer
ence_startling Facts Concerning the Cuban Army—Opinions
as to Size.of Invading Force Differ— Hoqor to General Sewell—
Life at Camp Voorhees.
By telephone from Governor Voorhees.
Camp Voorhees, )
May 6, 1898, 12 o’clock M. j
“The Camp is in fine condition.
The soldiers are very comfortable
and not disposed to find fault. Out
of over 3,000 men, only two are on
the sick list this morning, which,
when it is borne in mind that we
have had four days of almost con
tinuous rain, tells its own story.
The State Military Board was some
what disposed to criticise the care
ful preparations which were made
at the Camp before I ordered the
mobilizing of the militia here.
I had in mind the health and com*
fort of our soldiers, hence every
preparation was made for their re
ception; after all I was the first
Governor to wire the War Depart
ment that “the New Jersey State
quota was in Camp, fully equipp
ed, and waiting for orders ” I
made a personal inspection of the
camp yesterday and was highly
gratified with the bearing of
our troops. No finer body of
men will respond to President
McKinley’s call. A contrast be
tween our boys comfortably quart
ered here and the New York troops
mobilized at Hempstead in the
rain and mud, wdthout, in many in
stances, even ordinary camp
comforts, will show that the prep
arations were wise. Company A
of the First Kegiment of Newark,
Col. Campbell, was mustered into
the United States service at 10.30
this morning—only two were re
jected, so the company has its full
complement. The examinations
and mustering will continue right
along. The Morris County boys
are soldiers every inch, and their
townsmen and fellow residents of
the county have a right to be just
ly proud of them.”
Government Not Anxious About Dewey.
Washington, May 6—12.32.
Chronicle, Morristown:
Nothing has yet been received
directly from Admiral Dewey, but
no alarm about him and his fleet is
felt at the Navy Department. It
is an unwritten law in military and
naval circles that when a comman
der has a task to perform and com
munication with headquarters for
any reason is cut off no attempt
to resume communication is ever
made until after the commander
has performed his task to his own
complete satisfaction.
By this custom timorous or mis
informed officials in the rear are
prevented from hampering the ac
tion of the Commander at the front.
No doubt is felt as to the complete
ness of Dewey's victory. Every
body here believes that he is in
possession of Manila,which of course
means of the Philippines. The
question mostly discussed now there
fore is what shall be done with the
Islands at the close of the war. The
feeling is growing in the Senate
that the United States should re
tain them permanently. This feel
ing is expressed by both leading
Democrats and Republicans. Ad
miral Sampson is understood to be
on his way to seize Porto Rico, the
only coaling station the Spanish
have left on this side the Atlantic.
If the Spanish fleet or any part of
it makes its appearance in Porto
Rican or Cuban waters Sampson’s
fleet is expected to make an end of
it and no doubt will accomplish
that feat. E. W. Brady.
French Liner Gobbled.
Key West, May 6, 9.35 a. m.
French line steamship Lafayette has
been captured while trying to run
the blockade with contraband arti
cles of war on board for Havana.
Schroff.
Manilans Flocking to Uncle Sam.
New York, May 6—12.28.
Chronicle, Morristown:
State Department at Washington
has received a cable from Consul
Wildman at Hong Ivong, stating
that four of the wealthiest families
of Manila have tendered their alle
fiance to the United States, having
etitioned for citizenship.
Great Losses Among Manila Civilians.
New York, May 6—-12.30.
Chronicle, Morristown:
London dispatches dated Shang
hai published to-day purport to give
Japanese reports of the fighting at
Manilia received via. Formosa. It
says that, after disposing of the
Spanish fleet and Cavite forts,
Dewey bombarded the town of
Manila. The city was soon on fire
in many parts, the work, it is added,
chiefly of the insurgents. Great
loss of life is reported to have oc
curred among the Spanish resi
dents. Scrroff.
England Will Not Consent to it.
London, May 6.
It is asserted that certain of the
powers have again made overtures
to Great Britain to intervene in the
war, and that Great Britain has
again refused.
Schroff.
aj^HiNGTON, May 5.—Now that the
States has possession of the
Pffl^Ppine Islands there is a growing dis
position to hold them. They constitute
one of the finest insular regions in the
world. They have been a mine of riches
| to Spain for three hundred years and in
enterprising hands would be susceptible
of a development that would make them
amazingly profitable to whatever coun
try possessed them. Lying as they do
between the Northern Pacific Ocean and
the China Sea, they form one of the most
valuable strategic positions in the Far
East. Whatever disposition may be
made of them, it is recognized that the
United States must retain one of the
ports of these islands as a coaling sta
tion. It is believed that the interna
tional complications that would arise
Continued on Fourth Page.
FOR SOCIAL THE telephone saves !
- TIME, TROUBLE AND
PURPOSES NERVES.
With a telephone in your HOUSE, you may secure your
theatre seats—make or change your engagements—discuss
plans with your friends—or if you would go out, you may .
call your carriage or order one from a livery stable.
Tie lew Tori am lew Jersey Teieylom Go.,
81 Willoughby St., Brooklyn. 8 Erie St., Jersey City.
25 MARKET ST., MORRISTOWN. \
Many States Represented at the
Congress in Morristown.
STENOGRAPHIC ACCOUNT OF ADDRESSES
Roll Call Shows Ninety-two Delegates from
Thirty States—Annual Reports—The Pass
ing of the Prospect of Union with theS, R.
—Luncheon at the Lafayette Building—
Vote to Endorse President’s War Action—
New Officers—Eloquent Banquet Speeches
by Local Patriots.
Morristown has at last
the proud honor of having
received as her guests the
loyal patriots of the Sons of
the American Revolution.
For several years the idea
has been nurtured among the
pet ambitions of the Hon
John Whitehead, President
of the New Jersey Society and an honored
resident of Morristown; and on Saturday
last he was a happy witness to its final
and glorious fulfilment. Few people ap
preciate the importance of such a con
vention, but to those of our local patriots
who have long been devote^ to the lofty
aims and objects of the society such a
meeting of these illustrious men from all
parts of the country, with their expres
sions of admiration for the many notable
historic points and the undeniable beauty
of Morristown, their discussion of patri
otic questions and their general influence
mean much more than can be told in
this brief space.
As early as Thursday of last week the
delegates to the congress began to arrive,
and on Friday afternoon the great ma
jority reached town. Others came on
Saturday morning, taxing the local ho
tels to the utmost capacity.
The general exercises and business
session of the day, held at the Lafayette
rooms on the old Headquarters prop,
erty, was opened with prayer, by Rev.
R. W. Clark, D. D., of Detroit in the ab
sence of Chaplain General Bishop Cheney
of Chicago, after which President White
head, with a few appropriate remarks,
handed to President General Barrett a
gavel carved from an oak beam taken
from the old Arnold Tavern, the first
headquarters of General Washington
here. The gavel was presented to the
New Jersey Society of the S. A. R. by P.
H. Hoffman, the present ownerof the pro
perty upon which the old tavern stood.
The call of the roll brought ninety
two responses from about thirty different
States. When the name of Gen. Jos. C.
Breckenridge was called it was explained
that Gen. Breckenridge was in the ser
vice of the U. S. Army, and that only the
day previous he had been promoted by
President McKinley from the rank of
brigadier general to major general.
When Vice President General Thomas
M. Anderson was called it was stated
that General Anderson was also with his
regiment on the Pacific Coast.
Following the opening, J. W. Roberts,
President of the Washington Association,
was presented to the Congress and said :
“It gives the Washington Association
great pleasure to extend the use of the
Lafayette rooms to the patriotic society
of the Sons of the American Revolution.
We also extend to you a most hearty
welcome to these headquarters, sacred
to the memory of General George Wash
ington and his associate officers in the
American Revolution. I hope you all
will derive very much pleasure and
profit by your visit here at this time and
that you will all soon visit us again.”
Following these preliminaries, the re
port of President-General Barrett was
listened to with interest, the burden of
the report being the settlement of
the long considered question of union
with the Sons of the Revolution, finally
decided in the negative, which has been
fully set forth in the two preceding issues
of the Chronicle. With the disposition
of this question,which has done much to
retard the work and growth of the
society, a good progressive future is
assured among all the thirty-six
State organizations. The president also
reported that the National Flag Com
mittee had been active in the endeavor to
get Congress to pass an act forbid
ding the desecration of the flag for
base business and utilitarian pur
poses ; but that small progress had been
made. He congratulated the members
upon being able to meet in Morristown,
as did the report of Franklin Mur
phy, Secretary-General of the So
ciety. Mr. Murphy covered also, for the
sake of record, the entire proceedings of
the committees on the question of union
with the S. R., and said that in this mat
! ter the Society of the Sons of the Ameri
can Revolution had done all that could
be done with self-respect, even to the
sacrificing of its name, to effect a union.
Treasurer-General Charles W. Haskins
: reported receipts during the year of
! $2,209.85, of which a balance of $696.81
I remained after paying the expenses of
the society. Registrar-General A. How
! ard Clark reported 38 State organiza
tions with a total membership of 9,141;
; during the year 1,160 applications for
new membership had been examined,
the average annual gain for past nine
years being 1,020. Three State Societies
now exceed 1,000 members, Massachu
setts 1,300, New York 1,098, Connecticut
1,009. Others next following are Illi
nois 470, Minnesota 411, New Jersey 409,
District of Columbia 408. By the ef
forts of Gen. Horace Porter, late Presi
dent-General, a society of fifteen mem
bers had been organized in France, with
a good outlook for its growth and perma
nency. It was reported that over 11,000
application papers, containing names and
much data important in the preservation
of the nation’s history, are now filed in
the office of the Registrar-General at
Washington.
Continued on Fifth Page.
Local Society For Reliet and Care
of Sailors and Marines.
A Patriotic Lady Plans to Send Suppling to
Hospital Ships and Delicacies For Those
in the “Sick Bay1’—Correspondence With
the Medical Department of the Navy
Surge on-General Van Ruypen Congratu
lates Patriotic Women of His Native
State.
S
The recent glorious victory in the
Philippine Islands has enhanced the
public interest in bur navy, and the let
ters given below will find eager attention
from bur readers.
We beg to call attention to the letters
regarding a scheme for united and,sys
tematic work for Naval Bg^\ aid
which is being perfected by Wf onr
leading citizens, full particulars of which
will be given in our next issue.
The writer of these letters is a lady
who is thoroughly familiar, from many
years’ practice, with all the details and
needs of a good hospital and who inher
its from her mother a patriotic regard
for the care of men who are wounded in
the service of our country. Such a
scheme, properly managed, would assure
these men that friends at home remem
ber them with kindly sympathy of the
most practical kind, as it is experienced
in gifts and services for their comfort
and restoration to health.
The mode of collecting and preparing
materials and organizing a corps of
nurses will be an object lesson in patriot
ism to the rising generation, teaching
them that every one of us has a common
duty f o perform in the service of our coun
try, whether at home or in the field, and
that the men at the front are fighting
onr battles, and e at we are eouallv in
terested with them in their success.
roe movement will undoubtedly be
participated in by all the States in the
Union, and it will therefore serve to de
velop and give practical expression to the
united patriotic spirit free from political
or sectional jealousy which has been so
manifest since the war began:
WASHINGTON, D. C., April 28, 1808,
To the Editor of the Chronicle:
Dear Sir—Now that war has really begun,
despite the efforts of our government for an
honorable peace, it is the duty and privilege of
all loyal men and women to thoughtfully con
sider what each one can do for our common
country.
And I believe yonr readers will be interested
to hear a few details about some of the work
which is being done and planned here for the
relief and care of our sailors and marines. In
an interview with the Surgeon-General of the
Navy, Dr. Van Ruypen, I was told that while
all necessary and usual supplies for use in
hospitals on shore and afloat were abundant,
the Medical Department of the United States
Navy would gladly receive, put to use, and
publicly acknowledge any contributions of
money, delicacies or hospital clothing that
may be sent.. The first hospital ship, the
Solaoe, is now finished, and is taking on her
supplies at Norfolk. She has on board eight
men nurses, trained in the school at Bellevue
Hospital, New York, who have enlisted for
this important service. Through the gener
osity of a society of laiies she will carry a
variety of good things, boxes of lemons,
oranges, ice, fresh meats, etc., withjher in her
immediate ‘trip to Key West. Even if an
imminent battle should be delayed, there are
always, the Surgeon-General says, a certain
number of men in the “sickbay'* of each of
our ships, and the Solace will visit them,
taking to her beneficent care the serious cases
and leaving for the others a portion of the
delicacies with which she is laden. And it is
hoped that this admirable vessel may be only
the first of many others in her humane labors
for the care and comfort of the brave men who
are giving themselves so nobly to the defense
of the shores of our country and the safety of
the homes where we dwell in peace.
The women of the Civil War are not all gone
yet. and those who have passed on have left
daughters to inheritithe spirit of their mothers.
With one heart and; mind they will labor at
home for their friends who fight, abroad. But
for work of any sort to be effective and telling,
system and wise plans are necessary. In the
next issue of your paper I shall hope to give a
letter from headquarters here, stating the
needs of the navy hospitals, and advising the
best methods of work to supply them.
I feel sure that the women of our State will
be in the front rank of those who will answer
generously the call of their country for aid.
Truly yours,
F. H. C,
Washington, April 27, 1898.
Medical Director W. K. Van Ru ypen, t
Surgeon-General U. 8. Navy. (
Sir—Will you kindly inform me whether
your department will accept Bupplies of deli
cacies, clothing, etc., for use in the Naval
Hospitals, if collected and forwarded by the
women of New Jersey ?
Also please to indicate where to ascertain
what articles would be most useful ?
And oblige yours respectfully,
Frances H. Catlin.
Department of the Navy, l
Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, i
Washington, D. C., April 28,1898.
Dear Madam—Referring to your letter of
April 27,1 have the honor to reply that the De
i partment will gratefully receive such supplies
I of delicacies, clothing, etc.S as may be col
! lected and forwarded by the women of New
: Jersey for use in naval hospitals. Anv arti
cles collected may be forwarded to Medical
Director Delavan Bloodgood, U. S. Navy,
Naval Hospital, Brooklyn, N. Y., who will be
pleased to indicate articles especially de
sirable
As a native of New Jersey it elves me special
nleasurelto recognize the prompt action|taken
by her loyal and patriotic women.
Very respectfully,
W. R. Van Ruypen,
Surgeon General U. S. Navy.
Republican Apathy Brings Vic
tory to the Democratic Banner.
Complete Official Kef urns of Tuesday'*
City Election—Two-Thirds of lhe Vote
Cast—Personnel of the New Board of
Aldermen—Notes of the Midnight Cele
bration of the Democrats—Their Cry,
“Hurrah for Fennell.”
Tuesday recorded the most peaceful
charter election that Morristown has
seen for years. The forces of darkness
dearly love a rainy election day, and
they prevailed. By noon not one-fifth of
the voters had visited the polls and the
entire vote of the day was a bare two
thirds of the registration—1,788 ballots
out of a total list of 2,546. The chilling
apathy of the Republicans, combined
with the button-hole, orgie and cash can
vas of Democratic “workers/’ brought
victory to the Democratic banner, which
elected every candidate for the first time
in many years. E. A. Quayle was
chosen Mayor for the third successive
term of two years by a total majority of
354, and Eugene S. Burke, John T. Lines,
John N. Conkling and Harrie A. Free
man, representing the four wards re
spectively, were elected to the Board of
Aldermen by majorities given below,
making the political complexion of that
body for the next year, including the
Mayor, Democratic by 6 to 3. The new
members will be sworn into office within
a week. Retiring members are Emile
Hurtzig, Edward A. Fleury and Eugene
Carrell; re-elected, H. A. Freeman.
Hold over members are Charles G. Van
Gilder, C. A. Reed, J. J. A. Owens and
J. B. Byram.
The official returns show the vote in
full by wards:
WARD I.
1st 2d
mayor. dist. dist. Tot. Mai.
John E. Parker. R, 105 127 282
E. A. Quayle, D, 124 169 293 61
ALDERMAN.
Emile Hurtzig, R 115 124 239
Eug. S. Burke, D, 114 170 284 45
Ballots east, * 236 302 538
Republican, 125 139 264
Democratic, 108 158 266 2
Rejected, 3 5 8
WARD II.
MAYOR.
John E. Parker, R, 74 100 174
E. A. Quayle. D, 114 179 293 119
ALDERMAN.
Eug. M Garabrant, R, 61 101 162
Jonu T. Lines, D. 123 166 289 127
Ballots cast, 184 267 451
Republican, 75 101 176
Democratic, lie 171 287 111
Rejected, 7 0 8
WARD HI.
MAYOR
John E, Parker. R, 98 101 199
E. A. Quayle, D, 107 180 287 88
ALDERMAN.
JohhH. Madigan, R, 93 109 202
John N. Conkling, D, 110 172 282 80
Ballots cast, 208 286 494
Republican, 107 122 229
Democratic, 99 161 260 31
Rejected, 2 3 5
WTARD IV,
MAYOR.
John E. Parker, R, 150
E. A. Quayle, D, 236 86
ALDERMAN.
O. L. Dobbins, R, ia5
Harrie A. Freeman, D, 248 113
Ballots Cast. 293
Republican, 167
Democratic, 229 72
Rejected, 4
The vote for School Commissioners
was as follows:
1st 2d 3d 4th Tot.
REPUBLICAN. w. W. W. W.
Arthur H. Lynch, 262 173 125 156 716
Stephen Pierson, 265 180 126 158 729
Edward Howell, 261 176 128 158 723
J. H. VanDoren, 265 177 127 157 728
A. G, Phillips, 263 178 121 1,56 718
G, E. Voorhees, 265 178 128 158 729
DEMOCRATIC.
David H. Wilday, 266 288 258 234 1046
Oscar D. Miller, 266 276 255 229 1026
Geo. C. Smith, 266 289 245 229 1029
Lonis A. Vogt, 265 288 259 229 1041
J. Van Winkle, 262 285 260 227 1034
H. B. Andrew, 264 286 258 229 1037
When the votes were counted in the
evening the Democrats at once built a
bonfire down at the Park; when it
burned low organized a circus and pro
ceeded to parade. Headed by a blazing
broom, a has-been fife and a bottomless
boiler, they tramped about the town,
halting long enough to jeer at the Rev.
S. Z. Batten and also for a free serenade
before the homes of each of the vic
torious. But they failed to get any
speeches or even a sight of those they
had “worked” for, save that the “faith
ful” John Wright made a brief address,
flourishing a live Plymouth Rock rooster
by way of emphasis. So they got mad,
and talked plain. About 12.30 the Hon.
Thomas J. happened along and was
urged to make a speech. With great re
luctancy he mounted the front step of
the Babbatt building and proceeded to
comment on the victory. Then the
crowd at the opposite corner began to
“jolly.” The Honorable could not stand
it. He got mad and talked back. Then
he had to stop. He went home. His
friends took up the case and there were
warm words; later there was singing,
more bonfire, tin boiler, orgies and other
things, and through it all the battle cry
was sounded—“Hurrah for Fennell.”
Madison Boys Enter the Navy.
At the battalion meeting of the Naval
Reserves on board the training ship
Portsmouth at Hoboken, held on Monday
evening, volunteers were called for to
man the auxiliary cruiser Badger, for
merly the Ward liner Yamnri. About
85 per cent, of the men offered their ser
vices, among them were four Madison
young men, E. E. Burnet, William
Force, Howard Garrison and John Mc
Graw. The Badger when ready for ser
vice will be classed as a protected cruiser
and will carry three batteries made up of
eight inch, five inch and rapid fire guns.
She will be placed in commission next
week.
MORRIS COUNTY IN SIXTY-ONE
Story of the Patriotic Enthusiasm of Morristown and the County
Upon the Outbreak of the Civil War.
(THIRD PART.)
Local Events of Sixty-two—A Year of Enlistment—Farewell to
Captain Duncan and His Men—Celebration of Washington’s
Birthday—A* Morristown Naval Officer Heard From—The
Soldier Sends His Money to the Folks at Home—County
Meetings to Encourage Enlistment—Local Companies of the
Eleventh and Fifteenth Regiments and a List of Morristown
Survivors — Organization of Other Companies abouffthe
County.
The year of sixt3'-two was no less eventful in the war enthusiasm of
Morris than sixty-one. It was hut a continued manifestation of a deep
and abiding love of country, aroused into untiring activity by the out
break of the Rebellion. This year witnessed tbegieat bulk of the
enlistment from Morris. Tim North was yet smarting under first de
feat, and a sure realization of the sense of M ar and its horrors was work
ing itself among the people. It begot a grim resolution to “win at any
cost,” and thus when neu- calls came they^ met Milling and quick
response.
Another Farewell—Boonton Patriotism.
About the middle of January, 18G2, Lieut. Mnllery, Captain Wat
kins, and Sergeant Connett, detailed as United States recruiting officers,
opened a recruiting office in Morristown. About the same time Cap
tain William Duncan completed the enrollment of men for his com
pany. to be attached to a regiment forming in the Distinct of Columbia.
Just before leaving tOM’n the company of seventy men M-ere gathered
in the old Washington Hall, M’here copies of the New Testament M ere
distributed to the men and addresses Mrere made by Rev. M. E. Ellison
and Rev. David O. Irving. The village of Boonton furnished forty
two of the seventy, and it is noted to the credit of the patriotism of tins r
little village that up to this time two hundred and sixty men had enlist
ed—about one-sixth of the male population.
Washington’s Birthday Celebrated in a New Way.
General local enthusiasm prevailed, and enlistment proceeded without
special event until February 22 of this year, when our citizens cele
brated Washington’s birthday with a spirit and enthusiasm which had
not been manifest for years, augmented by the news of the first victor
ies for the Union armies. In response to the patriotic proclamation of
Governor Olden, bells were rung and salutes were fired morning, noon
and night, and Old Glory was all day proudly floated from the liberty
pole on the Green. A general parade was also held, led by the two
Morristown compaYiies before mentioned and a company of volunteers
from Pine Brook. March was taken about the principal streets
thence to Washington Hall, where a grand patriotic meeting was heir1,
Chief Justice Whelpley presiding. The opening part was the reading
of Washington’s Farewell Address by L. II. Chandler, followed by
ringing patriotic addresses by Van Cleve Dalriinple and Theodore
Little, the latter of whom is to-day a prominent Citizen of Morristown,
and the Rev. D. O. Irving pronounced the benediction. During the
exercises national airs were played by the band and the audience joined
in singing.
Soon after, about the middle of March, local records, following and
occasionally setting forth the brave deeds'of the soldiers and sailors from
Morris, noted with pride that Lieut. Henry W. Miller of the Gunboat
Mohican of the United States Navy had taken prominent part in the
naval battle which resulted in the capture of Fort Clinch, Ga. The
captain of the vessel, William Radford, who afterwards commanded the
Federal ram “Cumberland” when she was sunk by the Merrimac in
Hampton Roads, was absent at the time of the engagement taking part
in court martial proceedings elsewhere, and Lieut. Miller was there
fore in command of the vessel Mr. Miller is still a respected resident
of Morristown and prominent in the financial and business affairs of the
city. He holds also an honorable record for service in the United States
navy, having spent sixteen years under the flag, retiring just after the
war, in ’68.
Soldier Boys Remember Folks at Home.
Though the country’s remuneration to the Union soldier at this time
was necessarily small indeed, yet the folks at home were not forgotten
and many were the dollars started Northward on pay day. The late
Silas D. Cory, father of ex-Sheriff Ira W. Cory, who was then at the
front with Company K. of the Seventh, made frequent trips to the
camps of the Morristown and Morris county soldiers, and was constitut
ed their special messenger to the loved ones at home. On one occasion,
out of $2,979, which was the total of the two months’ pay roll for Cap
tain Brown's company of ninety-six men, $2,229 was sent home. Mr.
Cory’s return from the front was always anxiously awaited by the citi
zens, for he also brought with him the latest news of camp life and of the
movements in the field, and not a few special messages to the families
and friends of the troops.
Mineral of Morristown soldier.
An incident of special local interest was the funeral service of Corpo
poral Joseph S. Watkins, the first soldier of Company K of the Seventh,
whose departure for the front was described in the second article of this
series, to give up his life for his country—killed at the battle of Will
iamsburg. Ilis body was forwarded to Morristown, and upon its arrival
here was received by a large number of citizens and by Company C, of
which he was a member before his enlistment for active service. Flags
about the town were displayed at half-mast. Funeral services were held
in both Morristown and Mendham, at the former place being conducted
by Rev. D. O. Irving and Rev. Lewis R. Dunn, and at the latter by
Rev. Mr. Megie. Corporal Watkins was a nephew of Henry C. Pitney,
now a resident of Morristown and an honored Vice-Chancellor of New
Jersey.
Another Call and Public Meeting.
In the early part of this year there was noticed in Morristown, as
elsewhere, a certain and growing feeling of the seriousness of the war.
Though the Union armies had met with encouraging successes they had
also, experienced sore and costly defeat; and, while not faltering for a
moment in patriotic firmness, there was manifest everywhere a thorough
realization of the tremendous responsibility connected with the conduct
of the campaign against the Southern Confederacy. This feeling soon
took practical shape in another call for troops, and on J uly S the Gov
ernor issued a call for four additional regiments of infantry from the
counties of Hunterdon, Warren, Sussex, Somerset and Morris, to enlist
for three years or until the end of the war. This was the signal for an
other great patriotic meeting in Morristown, and the walls of the old
Washington Hall were again made to vibrate with patriotic eloquence.
The meeting was. held on Saturday evening, July 15, and the hall was
filled with loyal citizens who had gathered from all parts of the county.
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