Page:The Granite Monthly Volume 5.djvu/161

 RUEL DURKEE. 137

the light, the huge practical joke played in the year 1864, by Gov. Gilmore and his distinguished party upon the unsophisticated Ruel Durkee, bearer of elec- toral votes to Washington. Even after the lapse of seventeen years, an eye- witness of their sagacity and brilliancy, hardly dares risk their anger by making the true narration, and will not in addition venture to describe the escort of jackasses and band of music prepared by the boys of Concord, for the return- ing heroes, which was only abandoned for fear they would supplement their roaring comedy by a fearful tragedy.

A BLAINE DELEGATE TO CHICAGO IN l8So.

Mr. Durkee both in 1S76 and 1880, was a warm supporter of James G. Blaine for President ; and the latter has a full appreciation of his peculiar ex- cellencies and repeats with effect, some of his humorous characterizations, es- pecially one of civil service reform. He was elected a Blaine delegate at large to the Chicago Convention of 1880, occupied a seat near Senator Conk- ling, and that gentleman had repeated conferences with him concerning the pending conflict. All efforts to seduce the delegation from the support of their favorite candidate were referred to him, and disposed of by him. He was the notable man of the New Hampshire delegation, and a great pleasure, help and comfort to his associates.

HIS APPEARANCE, HOME, HABITS AND FAMILY.

Mr. Durkee is six feet two inches high ; weighs about two hundred and sixty pounds ; his cheeks are still rosy, and he appears in robust health. His habits and diet are simple ; milk is his favorite food. He hates rum in all its forms as much as he did slavery. His home is a plain comfortable farm house, under the shadow of Croydon Mountain, where he carries on numerous farms and cuts many hundred tons of hay. He married Miss Polly S. Barton, May 3, 1835, who was a native of Orange, Vermont, but whose father Benjamin Barton, Esq., (whose father also was Benjamin Barton, Esq.,) was born in Croydon, and re- turned there to live when his daughter was six years old. Her mother was Miss Anna Thompson, of Gilsum, N. H. Mrs. Durkee is a most sensible and excellent woman, energetic, kind and hospitable ; who controls her husband almost as skillfully as he manages other men. They have no children.

MAY HE LIVE LONG AND PROSPER.

This hasty and imperfect sketch, from inadequate material, is a willing and heartfelt tribute from one who owes much of whatever there is of decision and persistency in his own character, to a quarter of a century's intimate friend- ship and association, never for one moment clouded by a difference, with this stalwart son of New Hampshire, who, with little education, no early advantages, and living in a poor, rugged, remote country town, has made himself a man of great merit, note, and power, among his fellow citizens and throughout the State. Faults he undoubtedly has, but it is not the function of friendly biography to depict blemishes. Others may narrate his, if they choose, but not I. He has none which will seriously detract from the strong and admirable character I have so imperfectly described. With his correct habits, firm constitution, and excellent health, he may yet live many years among us. May his life be long spared and far postponed the gloomy day when the council meetings of the Republican party shall sadly miss the cheerful face, clear head, and true and courageous heart of Ruel Durkee.

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