Smithburg, Gus (Co. M, 4th Ia. Cav. Reunion, 1904)

SMITHBURG

Posted By: Jane Adams (email)
Date: 9/29/2006 at 21:18:23

Jefferson County Republican
Fri., Sept. 30, 1904, 5-4.

At the late reunion of Company M, 4th Iowa Cav., Gus SMITHBURG, that funny Swede, told the following story on a soldier: During an attack by the Confederates, this soldier crawled into a hollow log for protection for the hot shot. It was a tight squeeze to get in and while hid there from the “Rebs” it rained and the water ran into the log and swelled the half rotten wood so tight around him he could not move when he endeavored to get out. The comrades had all left the battle field. What was he to do? He supposed that he must die there, and began to think about all the good things he had done during his life and then all the bad things he had done, hoping that the good might overbalance the bad. At length he thought of having voted the Democratic ticket once and he felt so small that he just slid out of the log. I expect this was a story on himself, for he has made a big jump upward to a better life and doesn’t vote any out-of-date tickets but stands square upon truth and righteousness and votes the straight Prohibition ticket.

This data transcribed for genealogical purposes; I am not related to the subject.