Mr.Ewing was in the United States Senate, and I was notified to prepare for West Point, of which institution we had little knowledge, except that it was very strict, and that the army was its natural consequence.

In 1834 I was large for my age, and the construction of canals was the rage in Ohio.

A canal was projected to connect with the great Ohio Canal at Carroll (eight miles above Lancaster), down the valley of the Hock Hocking to Athens (forty-four miles), and thence to the Ohio River by slack water.
Preacher Carpenter, of Lancaster, was appointed to make the preliminary surveys, and selected the necessary working party out of the boys of the town.

From our school were chosen ____Wilson, Emanuel Geisy, William King, and myself.

Geisy and I were the rod-men.