"THE REVOLUTION TREASURER"

A Mister Morris was a Liverpool merchant heavily involved in American trade and had a son born in Lankashire in1733.  He named him Robert, the same Robert Morris that became a most distinguished patriot of the Revolution.
When Robert was still a small child Morris, the elder left him in the care of his grandmother and sailed to America and set up his business in Oxford on the eastern shore of Chesapeake Bay.
When Robert was thirteen Morris brought his family to America and sent Robert to school in Philadelphia.  The teacher was not up to the job and Robert learned little and when chided by his father for not learning Robert explained "Why sir, I have learned all that he had to teach me."
Robert went to work in the business of Charles Willing, at the age of fifteen years, and quickly became very good as a businessman.  At about the same time his father died from an accident.  When one of his ships arrived with trade goods, the elder Morris invited his friends to a celebration aboard the vessel.  When he left the ship a cannon salute was fired and a piece of the wadding struck him on the arm causing a severe wound.  The wound became infected and a few days later he died.
In 1754 Robert Morris formed a partnership with Thomas Willing and they increased rapidly in wealth and standing.
With the passage of the Stamp Act and Tea Act and non-importation  agreements business took a big hit.  But it was the Lexington tragedy that turned Morris into an active player in the affairs of the country.
Robert was elected to the General Congress.  In the spring of 1776 Morris was chosen to find ways to build a Navy while seeking ways to raise money.
After the disastrous retreat from New Jersey in late 1776 Washington met with Morris saying that his half-famished and half-naked militia must have funds.  Morris asked Washington how much and promptly gave him 10,000 Dollars of his own money.  When Robert Morris signed the Declaration of Independence and pledged, "His life, his fortune and his sacred Honor" he did just that.
Robert Morris was made Treasury Secretary and served throughout the war raising money and support for the "New Nation".  When the country could not get a loan anywhere Robert Morris, on his own signature and reputation raised tens of thousands for the revolution.  He did his job well and was so trusted and honored that no shame or scandal ever followed him.  Robert Morris, Patriot died at the age of seventy three in 1806...Medicineman!

"GET OUT OF JAIL FREE"

Still available in many forms, the board game "Monopoly" has entertained children and adults alike for too many years to count.  I played the game as a kid (didn't like it much).  For one thing it took too long to win or loose.  If you landed in jail you could buy your way out, or use the "get out of jail free" card if you happened to have one.
The U.S. Congress (yes the same ones we voted in a couple months ago) have decided to release a lot of inmates to relieve the pressure on the Federal system. The idea is to allow the judge more room for judgement on his part as to whether the charged subject will behave himself and get a job, etc.  The goal is to make good citizens of those chosen for release.  It did not work so good before when we tried it some 30 years ago.  The crime rate went up!
I live in the open west where people are close but not near.  In the growing up years of our country wrong doers were punished for their deed, usually pretty quickly.  Convicted of murder?  Hanging!  Convicted of horse stealing?  Hanging!  Have we become more compassionate or tender hearted?  Are we reading God's word, "Love one another" while forgetting God's punishment?
The murderer, rapist, child abuser, for instance needs God's forgiveness, not ours.
I hope and pray that the enactment of this legislation will do as intended.  We will see!..Medicineman

SPOILED CHILD AND A PATRIOT

Abraham Clark was born in Elizabethtown, New Jersey in 1726 to a farm family.  Like many lone children he was allowed to avoid his duties on the farm, from time to time.  And he had little formal schooling as a child.
But he soon decided he could not be a farmer and turned to study of law where he became quite good and was known around about as the "Poor man's Councillor".  
Clark held several offices under the royal government among which  was Sheriff of Essex County.  But as the issue of  political freedom and slavery came up he boldly expressed the republican view.  When formed he was put on the first committee of Vigilance organized in New Jersey and served with distinction.
In 1776 Clark was elected to the Continental congress and when the issue of Independence came up he voted for it at once.  Clark suffered loss to his property from neglect during the war, as well as having his two sons under arms and being captured and placed in the Jersey prison ship, suffering the terrible privations of those prisoners.  Yes, Abraham Clark gave much!,,,Medicineman!

CHRISTMAS---1930's STYLE

 In today's world of I-Phones and "texts" instead of conversation and "grunts" instead of hello does it seem to you that somethings wrong?
It seems that before the smoke clears from the Fire Works of the 4th of July we are into Christmas.  We rush through Labor Day, Halloween, Thanksgiving, while plowing through Christmas decorations in the stores looking for turkeys and pumpkins.
Let us take a step back to 1936.  Thanksgiving meant a family dinner with all the immediate family and good friends gathered around the table filled with turkey and dressing, cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes and so many other great things, like pumpkin pie with real whipped cream and maybe a cake or two.  Then, always, the family prayer before the meal.
In 1936 Christmas started about two weeks after Thanksgiving.  That is when the tree was selected (always a live tree),, the decorations were hauled out of the attic, the lights were all tested, to make sure they were all good.  That was done with a "transformer" to step down the voltage to 7.5 volts.  The ornaments were the same ones used last year and the tinsel was last years too (saved money).  The tree, being live, had to sit in water which had to be filled every day, one reason we didn't put it up too early!  Oh yes, the tree holder in our house was an iron pot and the tree was stabilized with a collection of just the right size rocks, yes just plain rocks.
The matter of presents, and there were usually not too many, was handled my the firm warning that anything showing up under the tree was not to be tampered with.  Then on Christmas Eve Santa Claus (or Mom and Dad to older kids) sneaked toys (that had been hidden for days) under the tree.
Christmas morning was always a family affair, early to be sure, with all in pajamas and bathrobes.
The tree and the decorations and the festive look was always enjoyed  until New Years Day.  Then everything was carefully taken off the tree and packed away and placed back in the attic to await next year's MERRY CHRISTMAS!..Medicineman!

SUCH MEN AS THESE!

The men I have been writing about, for the most part are strangers to our readers.  They are not famous men of which books are written; just ordinary men.  Ordinary?  Yes, but also extraordinary at the same time.  They were not soldiers, did not face the enemy in a shoot out while at the same time facing the same punishment as soldiers if the cause was lost. Yes, they had much to loose and still pledged, "Our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor."
John Hart was born to a thrifty farmer and loyal subject of the King.  Edward Hart raised a volunteer group named "The Jersey Blues" and joined Wolfe in Quebec.  Edward was by his side when Gen. Wolfe was killed.  They took Quebec from the French and Edward went back to farming.  John was born probably in the year 1714 (no record exists).
John was a successful farmer and worked hard at the job.  He was drawn to the cause of the Boston Peoples when the Stamp Act was passed.  He became so outspoken that he was elected to the  first Continental Congress in 1774 and reelected in 1775.  Finding that his farm estate needed attention he resign his seat.  However he was reelected to that seat in January 1776 and was there to vote for and sign the Declaration. When the British invaded New Jersey John Hart had to flee with his family while his estate was occupied. The British killed his cattle and ruined the farm.  He and his family were on the run for the rest of the war....Medicineman!

A WARRIOR FOUND---AT LAST!

Those who have been following this blog may wonder what happened to the Declaration of Independence signers I have been writing about?  Don't worry.  We will be getting back to those very important citizens shortly.  But the truth is that some other very important items come up from time to time that I feel must be addressed; this is one of those items.
About this time in 1950 U.S. Troops were heavily engaged in action in North Korea.  This war started when North Korea (given to Russia at the end of WWII-a mistake) crossed the border and invaded South Korea.  That invasion had been quelled and the North pushed back almost to the Chinese border.
Until then United Nations troops (mostly U.S.) had been fighting only North Koreans.  Then in October things changed; China entered the war.  About 250,000 Communist troops crossed the border and overwhelmed our troops, pushing them back through the infamous Chosin Reservoir, "The frozen Chosin".
Cpl. DeMaret M. Kirtley of Battery "A" 57th Field Artillery Battalion, 31st Regimental Combat Team,7th Infantry was killed when his unit was overrun.  His body was not recovered.  He was Officially designated as presumed dead in 1953.
Recently his remains were discovered in a shallow grave near the town Hagaru-ri, identified and made ready for proper Military Rites.
Almost 70 years later this 19 year old soldier found his way home to Kacey, WY....Medicineman!