Patrick Higgins, for many years a well-known character of the Harper’s Ferry neighborhood, died last Sunday at his home at Sandy Hook, in the 84th year of his age. Higgins was the first man to be arrested by John Brown and his followers when they made their raid on Harper’s Ferry 56 years ago. He was at the time a watchman at the bridge across the Potomac, and when Brown and his party made their appearance he courageously called on them to halt. They drew their guns on him, and hew as taken along with them as a prisoner. Watching his chance, Higgins soon found opportunity to make a dash for liberty. Guns cracked and bullets whizzed all about him, but he hid behind some iron pillars and in the darkness finally made his escape. A negro who attempted to break away from the party, and ran into the light, was killed. Higgins was a watchman and switchman for the railroad company for many years, and though he never drew very big wages, he managed to accumulate considerable property, leaving an estate of some $25,000. Higgins was an original character, and had often been written up by journalists, who found that his experiences during the John Brown raid were extremely interesting.
Evidence Category: The Shepherdstown Register
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Owen Higgins, Captured Coat of Custer
Captured Coat of General Custer.
Mr. Owen Higgins, of Baltimore, the man who captured the uniform of General Custer, the famous army officer and Indian-fighter, during the Civil War, and who took part in many daring raids by the Confederates, was in Winchester last week. Mr. Higgins was born in Ireland. He came to this country at the age of eight with his parents and for some years, made his home in Jefferson county, W. Va., then Virginia. At the age of twelve years he joined the Confederate Army and served in Company “D,” Twelfth Virginia Cavalry, Rosser’s Brigade. Throughout the war he saw active and stirring service.
Mr. Higgins told how he came into possession of General Custer’s uniform. Part of the uniform he gave to Major Knott, his commanding officer, but the coat, made of handsome English cloth and trimmed with gold buttons, he gave to a lady to keep for him and after the war got it from her. The garment is now in his home at Roland Park, Baltimore, and is a treasured possession.
Soon after the battle of Gettysburg Mr. Higgins took part in a daring raid by Confederates under the command of Major Knott and Captain Kearney between Harper’s Ferry and Shepherdstown, W. Va. There were but eighteen Confederate soldiers in the party, yet they captured a score of Yankees and General Custer’s wagon train.
At two o’clock in the morning– the night being very dark– the daring Confederate raiders stole into the Union lines near Shepherdstown and secured a hiding place in a strip of woods. A courier from General Custer to Captain Leonard, the head quartermaster at Harper’s Fery, was captured that morning by the Confederates, and it was learned that Custer’s wagon train was to pass that point.
The next day a party of nine Federal soldiers, who had been sent by General Custer to guard his wagon train, was captured by Confederates, and on the following day the wagon train, with several prisoners, was captured.
The plunder was divided among the raiders, and to Mr. Higgins fell a trunk, which he broke open with a club. Inside he found a dress uniform belonging to General Custer. The trousers and vest he presented to Major Knott, but the coat he gave to a lady to keep for him. The Confederates finally succeeded in escaping with the prisoners back into their own lines.
Since the war Mr. Higgins has been in the employ of contractors and has prospered. He has several sons and daughters.– Winchester Star.
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M. E. Kaldenback visits B. and L. Moore
Miss M. E. Kaldenback, of Washington, D. C., is the guest of Misses Bertha and Laura Moore, near Bakerton.
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Kaldenback visits Moore in Bakerton
Miss Nannie E. Kaldenback, of Washington, D. C., is the guest of Misses Bertha and Laura Moore at Bakerton.
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Marriage Announcement: Kaldenback & Homer
Miss Mamie Elizabeth Kaldenback and Mr. Arthur Garfield Homer, both of Washington, were married in that city last week by Rev. Father Carroll at St. Patrick’s Church. The bride is a cousin of Mr. and Mrs. John M. Moore, near Harper’s Ferry, whom she has occasionally visited.
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Huggins, McCormick, Kaldenback visit Walsh’s.
Miss Mary Huggins, of Harper’s Ferry, Miss Gussie McCorkmick, of Brunswick, Md., and Miss Mamie Kaldenback, of Washington, D. C., visited Mrs. Thomas B. Walsh at Bakerton the past week.
Miss Mamie Kaldenback, of Washington, D. C., who has been visiting her cousin, Mrs. Nora Moore, at Bakeron, the past three weeks, has returned to her home. -
Oak Grove Vote Banter
Shenandoah Junction is the banner precinct in this county. The 93 Democrats there only allowed two Republican votes to slip in– probably as samples. We take off our hat to the Junction Democrats. Four Republicans had the temerity to vote at rock-ribbed Oak Grove.
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Bakerton Misrepresented In Vote
BAKERTON, W. Va., Aug 11, 1896.
DEAR SIR– I see by the county papers there has been a mistake made in the voe on the sheriff at Oak Grove. The papers give Baker 20 majority, when it should have been 28 majority for Chew. I got this vote one the night of the election. The clerk gave it to me right from the tally-sheet. Chew got 65 and Baker 37, making 102, the number of votes polled. A good many of our voters would like to have this matter looked into and corrected. We want our sentiments expressed correctly. I do not know who is responsible for this error. The clerk gave me the vote just as I have stated, just as he did several others. Of course this will not effect the results, but we do not want to be misrepresented in this matter.Respectfully,
R. H. M. -
A Large Political Demonstration
A Great Demonstration.
We don’t know how it used to be in old times, but it is certain that the younger generation has never seen a political demonstration in Shepherdstown equal to that of Tuesday night in celebration of the great Democratic victory of November 4th. To commence with, our old town has never been as prettily and as tastefully decorated and illuminated. From one end of Main street to the other, and along every side street and cross street, bright-hued bunting, many-colored lanterns and glittering candles and lamps lit up the houses, while flags waved from doors and windows. Many of the houses and stores deserve especial mention, but where all was well done it would be invidious to mention a few.
The Democratic headquarters was handsomely decorated, while in front of it, spanning Main street, from curb to curb, a large arch was erected, upon which were lanterns to represent the Democratic States. The arch was covered with evergreen and flowers and flags. A large portrait of Congressman Wilson was suspended from the center.
The procession was an immense one. Mr. William Butler was the chief marshal, and the assistant marshals were Messrs. Thomas Jones, H. M. Turner, R. M. Billmyer, W. M. Lemen, E. T. Licklider, A. C. Morgan, M. P. Crowl, Walter L. Herr and Clifton Frazier. The procession was formed near the railroad, in the south end of town, and marched down Princess street to High, to Mill, to Main, up Main to Maiden Lane, to High, down High to Princess, to Washington, up Washington to Duke, to New, down New to Princess, to Main, to College Square where it disbanded.
There were many amusing devices in the parade. One of the best things was a salt river float. A big wagon had upon a large boat, in which was Uncle Lewis Mitchell, a sturdy old colored Democrat, rowing most solemnly, while Uncle Richard Brown, another unterrified Democrat, held his place in the bow. The boat also carried a coffin and a corpse of Harman, while a bell tolled mournfully. A very large wagon drawn by four horses contained thirty-four young and pretty girls, each of whom held in her hand a flag to represent a Democratic State. Maryland and Virginia were represented by two young ladies and two large flags. This attracted great attention. Another wagon carried the White House, in which was seated Grandpa Harrison with Baby McKee on his lap, while live ‘coons crawled over the roof. Wanamaker’s Sunday School filled one wagon, while another carried a combination of fantastically dressed young men. All were appropriately decorated and plentifully supplied with mottoes.
The procession was headed by the Shepherdstown Band in full force, led by Earl Reinhart and Pinkney Schley, two small boys on ponies. The official members of the club and other gentlemen followed the band in carriages.
Delegations were present from many parts of Jefferson, Berkeley and Washington counties, and the streets were filled with people, many of whom had come from a great distance.
Sharpsburg had a most creditable exhibit in the parade. Messrs. Robert Grove and Thomas R. Blackford were the marshals. They had a carriage load of horn blowers, a wagon with a representation of an election officer swearing in colored men, and a four-horse wagon load of men with banners and transparencies. A great many persons were here from Sharpsburg.
Dr. Ed. L. Strode, marshal of the Swan Pond delegation, brought in 60 horseman; J. Thornburg Kearney had as many more from Rocky Marsh; Moler’s Cross Roads turned out a big crowd, with Will J. Knott as marshal; John Flanagan headed the big turn-out from Oak Grove; N. S. J. Strider brought a large number of enthusiastic men from Uvilla. There were several hundred horsemen in line, each carrying a torch or transparency, while many had jingling bells on their prancing steeds. Although it was an enthusiastic and lively procession, good order and good humor prevailed, and there were no disturbances of any kind. The banners and transparencies contained many striking mottoes, but there were no personalities and nothing that even the Republicans could take exception to.
The Shepherd Fire Department in full uniform had a prominent place in the procession, under command of Chief H. L. Hout. The men looked very well.
The Harper’s Ferry cannon was brought up, and its deep voice added to the hubbub.
There was disappointment at the absence of the advertised speakers, but Mr. Wilson was detained in Chicago, and General McKaig was obliged to go to Oakland. These gentlemen telegraphed their regrets. After the disbanding of the procession Mr. A. S. Dandridge made a rattling speech from the college wall, having been introduced by Mr. John Aglionby.
Too much praise cannot be given to the hardworking Democrats who made the Demonstration such a complete success. Mr. B. F. Harrison was chairman of the executive committee, being ably assisted by Messrs. E. H. Reinhart, Larry Brown, John H. Schoppert, A. S. Dandridge, Jas. E. Maddox, Remington Spotts, the Messrs. Rentch, and others. Robert Gibson, E. D. Bowly, John Maddox and Charles Ferrel, the committee on decorations, worked early and late, and showed both taste and skill in the effects they produced. Many other Democrats lent willing service, and the result was success complete and absolute.
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Charles Flanagan, well after illness.
We were glad to see our young friend Mr. Charles Flanagan in town again, last week, after having recovered from a long and serious attack of illness.