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| History of Cambria County, V.3 |
| 152 | HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. | |
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scene of operations and duty, fighting and pursuing Indians, Texans and renegade Mexicans, guarding wagon-trains, and escorting mails. The severe work of the regiment consisted chiefly of Indian fighting, generally in Indian and frontier fashion and seldom in the open, for the savage warriors of the western borders, true to the instincts of their race, never dare meet an enemy on equal terms, and preferred to gratify their murderous appetites by treachery and sneaking attacks. Capture by them meant death, sometimes at the stake, but inevitable and horrible death in some inhuman manner. The Apaches, against whom the First Cavalry was frequently sent, were led by the notorious halfbreed Cochise, known far and near as one of the most venomous and merciless savages of the Far West. His absolute fearlessness at times compelled the admiration of the trooper, but if ever a prisoner fell into the hands of his bloodthirsty horde, death was sure to follow, and in a manner as inhuman and devilish as it was certain. In the year 1863 Mr. Heslop was a member of the escort of Kit Carson, the famous scout who had charge of the Navajo Indian Reservation at Bosquerodondo, Texas. Mr. Heslop spent over three years in service in surroundings such as have been described here, and went through it all without any personal mishap worth mentioning. After the close of the war he returned to his home in Johnstown and again took up the more peaceful arts of trade. Many of his experiences in the west were very exciting, and quite often he was placed in positions of the greatest danger. The story of his life on the western frontier would make an ample volume and would he read with much interest. Since returning home he has been engaged in general house and sign painting, graining and interior decorating, and is as proficient in the work as was his father before him. Alfred Heslop is the second son and third child of the late James Gale and Charlotte (Bracewell) Heslop, and was born in Johnstown, on the 2nd day of August, 1838. The Heslop family history is fully written elsewhere in this work, hence need not be repeated in this place. He attended the district schools, and when twelve years old began work with his father, who was a genius in the art of color-making and painting. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and Union Veteran Legion; Cambria Lodge No. 278, F. and A. M.; Portage Chapter No. 195, R. A. M.; and of Oriental Commandery No. 61, K. T. In politics he is a Republican. On the 10th day of February, 1869, Alfred Heslop married Mollie Roberts, of Ebensburg, Pennsylvania, by whom he has had children as follows: John T., Edward A., Wesley J., Harvey M., Alfred, James G., Naomi H., Emanuel, and Mary. James was killed in an accident in 1901. All are living at home with the exception of Wesley, who married Cora Reed, of Conemaugh, Pennsylvania, and who is in business with his father; and Naomi, who is the wife of Samuel Howard Pegg, of Johnstown. THOMAS HENRY CADDY, principal organizer and active man of the Caddy Coal Company of Johnstown, is descended from an old English family, and has lived in Johnstown and been a factor in the business history of that borough and subsequent city more than forty years. His grandfather, Joseph Caddy; was born at Maryzion, Cornwall, England, and by occupation was a miner of copper and tin ore, as was his son Joseph, and also his grandson Thomas, during the earlier year of his active life. The elder Joseph Caddy and his wife Elizabeth were |
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