Raynors 2020-05 Putnal
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/30/2020
A rare Civil War editor's letter, 4pp. 8vo., written by J. Edwin Donelson Ward as editor of the Observer and Recorder, Rising Sun, Ohio Co., Indiana, May 2, 1865, to his sister, in part: "…I am local editor of the Observer & Recorder…you seem so anxious about the good looks of that girl. She is about 15, nether too large or small for good looks…but is very pleasing in pictures…in this week's paper is a story written by her mother-who now is dead…he grandmother…persist in calling me Mr. Donelson. We get the 'Bee' in exchange. I must try and write that way. Well here goes: "Jeff Davis. Poor Jeff Davis! Three years ago a set of men who called themselves Confederates gave him a new chair. For a while he sat in it very contently, but two years ago he discovered that the legs were not very sound and might break to the imminent danger of his neck. Upon making the discovery he loudly called upon the donors…to strengthen, brace and prop it up…to secure his own safety…a little over a month ago Jeff had a strange power Granted him and took a notion…that bounced [him] up, rushed into the street and mounted a horse [and] rode wildly for safer quarters…worn out…he met Colonel Pritchard who requested him to stop…after a little parleying he was induced to do so…Uncle Sam will immediately forward him the shortest route and fastest train to one still warmer. Such are the hopes and prayer of a loyal people…we all hope he may receive the lion's share and may he never again be permitted to disgrace skirts and petticoats…". J. Edwin Donelson Ward, as Lincoln supporter and that of the Republican Party, published the first issue of the Observer & Record, March 11, 1865 in his hometown of Rising Sun, Indiana. He remained in place as editor for little over a year until selling out to two rivals in 1866. Unsigned, minor toning, else VG.
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