[Julius T. Orton at Monticello, Indiana, to John Milton Binckley, April 13,1853].
Monticello April 13th 1853
Dear Milton,
Last week I returned from Wabash College which I have attended for the last three months. I found a western Virginian in the post office enclosed with your name.
I was going to write sooner but I cannot find leisure, or felt like writing a sheet of interest, and even now I don't feel much like it.
Well now my old chum I feel very much like upbraiding you for your neglect of me. I went to Ohio about two years ago almost Solely to see you. And behold instead, I hear of you in "old Virginny." I proposed writing to you on my return, but forgot the post office. Since then I have written to Philander H.C. Filler [Fuller?], and diverse others to ascertain your whereabouts, but in vain. Now Sir, I hope on the receipt of this you'll make no delay in Scribbling for an hour or two most beautifully, for my benefit.
Maybe you'd like to know what has engaged my attention for the last five years. Well, I have farmed, drove team went to school, and learned a trade (carpenter and joiner). I served an apprenticeship of three years. My Boss was of "old Virginny." I can make a dollar per day, and Board working at my trade.
I suppose you are painting as in days of yore. [H]ave you approximated a Reubens yet? I remember you used to talk of him.
I often think of the times when we used to fight minnie Battles "aboard ship" and wander along Hoods run or eat our fill of walnuts under the tree Seated on the grass, or a rock. And countless other kindred scenes, and associations rush along my memory. Casting a shade of thoughtfulness upon my brow, if not Sadness.
I have Striven in vain to Supply your place. I can find many that I might call friend but none to whom the Sacred name can apply as it did to you. There is that feeling of the romantic mixed with common sense which is necessary to Congeniality wanting in all I meet with.
I became twenty one about the first of March and my future Course is hardly decided yet it is possible though that I will study architecture. Maybe engineering. My weight about one hundred and sixty. Height five feet nine inches. There are few boys of my age or size that can outrun, or throw, or outfight me.
I have two Uncles living in this town, and four more within a few miles, and any number of cousins.
I have had but little Correspondence with old Berry[?], and of late now I corresponded a little with Phil Sheridan at West Point, to which place I would have went last Summer if our Cadet had not been set back a year. I reckon Phil has graduated.
I write at the residence of my mother on the outskirts of town on the bank (west) of Tippecanoe. An altogether a most delightful place. There is an orchard on the premises just coming into bloom.
Alf is engineering. Will commence College next fall. Will be at home this week. A first rate fellow.
Now Milt I don't know whether this will find you or not. If it does, write to me at Crawfordsville Montgomery Co. Ia. [Indiana] where I'll be next week. I direct the paper it publishes. '[T]is nine o'clock. [G]ood night.
Ever your friend, Jul
[PS] I have not forgotten our dreams of the ocean. "A life on the Ocean Wave, a home on the rolling deep." See envelope.
[PPS] My early beloved, departed.
Julius Orton
[John Milton Binckley (1821-1878).
Julius T. Orton (1830-1858/1860), died in a riding accident.
Alf = Alfred Reynolds Orton (1832/1833-1921).
Mother = Matilda Reynolds Orton (1809-1879).
John B. Orton (1790-1843) had been a lawyer in Somerset, Perry County, Ohio; after his death, the remaining family moved to Monticello, Indiana.
Phil Sheridan (1831-1888) graduated from West Point in 1853. He had grown up in Somerset, Ohio, and was, incidentally, 5' 5" tall. "Little Phil" eventually became Commanding General of the US Army.
"A Life on the Ocean Wave" was an 1839 poem by Epes Sargent put to music by Henry Russell.]
Original manuscript in the John Milton Binckley Papers, 1816-1943. Library of Congress Manuscript Division Washington, D.C. 20540 USA. This is my rough transcription. Paragraph breaks made for easier reading.
Many thanks to William Myers for sending scanned copies of the documents from the Binckley papers, and also to Mary Davy and Sally Young for their assistance.
Monticello April 13th 1853
Dear Milton,
Last week I returned from Wabash College which I have attended for the last three months. I found a western Virginian in the post office enclosed with your name.
I was going to write sooner but I cannot find leisure, or felt like writing a sheet of interest, and even now I don't feel much like it.
Well now my old chum I feel very much like upbraiding you for your neglect of me. I went to Ohio about two years ago almost Solely to see you. And behold instead, I hear of you in "old Virginny." I proposed writing to you on my return, but forgot the post office. Since then I have written to Philander H.C. Filler [Fuller?], and diverse others to ascertain your whereabouts, but in vain. Now Sir, I hope on the receipt of this you'll make no delay in Scribbling for an hour or two most beautifully, for my benefit.
Maybe you'd like to know what has engaged my attention for the last five years. Well, I have farmed, drove team went to school, and learned a trade (carpenter and joiner). I served an apprenticeship of three years. My Boss was of "old Virginny." I can make a dollar per day, and Board working at my trade.
I suppose you are painting as in days of yore. [H]ave you approximated a Reubens yet? I remember you used to talk of him.
I often think of the times when we used to fight minnie Battles "aboard ship" and wander along Hoods run or eat our fill of walnuts under the tree Seated on the grass, or a rock. And countless other kindred scenes, and associations rush along my memory. Casting a shade of thoughtfulness upon my brow, if not Sadness.
I have Striven in vain to Supply your place. I can find many that I might call friend but none to whom the Sacred name can apply as it did to you. There is that feeling of the romantic mixed with common sense which is necessary to Congeniality wanting in all I meet with.
I became twenty one about the first of March and my future Course is hardly decided yet it is possible though that I will study architecture. Maybe engineering. My weight about one hundred and sixty. Height five feet nine inches. There are few boys of my age or size that can outrun, or throw, or outfight me.
I have two Uncles living in this town, and four more within a few miles, and any number of cousins.
I have had but little Correspondence with old Berry[?], and of late now I corresponded a little with Phil Sheridan at West Point, to which place I would have went last Summer if our Cadet had not been set back a year. I reckon Phil has graduated.
I write at the residence of my mother on the outskirts of town on the bank (west) of Tippecanoe. An altogether a most delightful place. There is an orchard on the premises just coming into bloom.
Alf is engineering. Will commence College next fall. Will be at home this week. A first rate fellow.
Now Milt I don't know whether this will find you or not. If it does, write to me at Crawfordsville Montgomery Co. Ia. [Indiana] where I'll be next week. I direct the paper it publishes. '[T]is nine o'clock. [G]ood night.
Ever your friend, Jul
[PS] I have not forgotten our dreams of the ocean. "A life on the Ocean Wave, a home on the rolling deep." See envelope.
[PPS] My early beloved, departed.
Julius Orton
[John Milton Binckley (1821-1878).
Julius T. Orton (1830-1858/1860), died in a riding accident.
Alf = Alfred Reynolds Orton (1832/1833-1921).
Mother = Matilda Reynolds Orton (1809-1879).
John B. Orton (1790-1843) had been a lawyer in Somerset, Perry County, Ohio; after his death, the remaining family moved to Monticello, Indiana.
Phil Sheridan (1831-1888) graduated from West Point in 1853. He had grown up in Somerset, Ohio, and was, incidentally, 5' 5" tall. "Little Phil" eventually became Commanding General of the US Army.
"A Life on the Ocean Wave" was an 1839 poem by Epes Sargent put to music by Henry Russell.]
Original manuscript in the John Milton Binckley Papers, 1816-1943. Library of Congress Manuscript Division Washington, D.C. 20540 USA. This is my rough transcription. Paragraph breaks made for easier reading.
Many thanks to William Myers for sending scanned copies of the documents from the Binckley papers, and also to Mary Davy and Sally Young for their assistance.
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