T.E.Searles, living in easy retirement in a handsome house on West Main st., [Bainbridge, Chenango Co., NY], is an old veteran of the civil war. He is one of the most loyal of the old war heroes and besides his rich fund of army stories, he has many substantial reminders of the years when he marched, and fought and suffered in Dixie's land. Mr. Searles has a goodly amount of this world's possessions, but he values nothing so highly as his rusty soldier's equipment of army gun, bayonet, sheath, canteen, cartridges and other belongings of his outfit. These are his treasures that he loves to show his friends, and the past week, since the war-cry has become more pronounced in reference to Spain, they have been on exhibition on his front porch with the stars and stripes floating and waving about them. Many have been attracted thither by the unusual display and all are curiously interested at this special time. Mr. Searles' patriotism has not waned with age and he talks of the possible war with kindling eye and all the fervor and enthusiasm of youth, and if an enlistment were demanded he would wish his name to head the roll of honor. [Bainbridge Republican, May 16, 1898]
[Compiler note: Thomas Emery Searles was born 27 July 1840 in Bainbridge, Chenango Co., NY on Searles Hill. He was the son of Reuben and Ruth (Mead) Searles. His grandfather, Abner Searles, was the originator of the family in Bainbridge, coming there about 1850 from Dutchess County, NY to settle on what became known as Searles Hill. T.E. Searles served throughout the civil war in the 5th Regiment NY Heavy Artillary.]
Thomas Emery Searles
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