[From Manx Quarterly, #5 Nov 1908]

CAPT. W. S. CAIN'S AUTOBIOGRAPHY,

There has recently been published a book which should prove of much interest to Manx people, and more especially to Manx people who have recollections which extend some sixty years back. The book in question is the autobiography of Capt. W. S. Cain, late of the 12th U.S. Colored Infantry, Captain Cain, though an American citizen by naturalisation, is by birth a. Manxman of pure blood, he having been born in Castletown on April 17th 1836 — over 72 years ago, His father, the late Mr John William Cain, was a Castletown man, while his mother prior to marriage was Miss Ann Mylchreest, of Ballamodda, Malew. His maternal grand-mother was a Stephen, while his grand-mother on his father's side was a Clague. Manx enough, in all conscience! And though Mr Cain has by adoption become a patriotic son of "God's own country," to quote the description of an ultra-proud American, he to this day has a very tender spot in his heart for the land of his nativity — for Ellan Vannin Veg Veen. In briefly reviewing Mr Cain's book, let it first be said that the typography and illustrations demonstrate that in whatever other respects the Americans may or may not be superior to Britishers, they are undoubtedly ahead of the old country folk in these branches of craft and art. The book is beautifully printed upon excellent paper, and the reproductions of photographs — mainly portraits of members of the Cain family — are admirably executed. By the way, the frontispiece is a view of Malew Parish Church, in which the author's parents were baptised and married, That Mr Cain has an affection for the fane so intimately associated with the authors of his being is evidenced by a paragraph from the " Examiner " of June 6th, 1908, which is quoted in the book under the original heading, " A Manxman in America gives a valuable present to Malew Church." The following is the. paragraph: — "The Vicar has received from Mr W. S. Cain, of Atchison, Kansas, U.S.A., the gift of a brass ewer to be used at baptisms. This ewer, which is beautifully embossed, bears an inscription, which explains the purpose of the gift, as follows: To the praise and glory of God, and in loving remembrance of John William Cain, baptised June 12th, 1808, and his wife, Ann Mylchreest Cain, baptised June 6th, 1808. Presented on the centennial of their baptism in Malew Church, by their children and their sons' widows and grandchildren, Whit Sunday, 1908, Atchison, Kansas, U.S.A." There is an opening chapter devoted for the most part to the genealogy of the Cain family, and doubtless many old people now living in the Isle of Man will find in the table and explanatory matter much interesting reading, Several chapters are given over to sketches of the careers of Mr Cain's grandmother, Elizabeth Stephen Mylchreest, of his father, the late Mr John William Cain, and of his mother, the late Mrs Ann Mylchreest Cain, All these forbears of the author would appear to have been people of more than average attainments, strength of character, and moral excellence, and the filial appreciation which Mr Cain indites is most capably expressed, Having thus done justice to his ancestors, Mr Cain modestly sets forth the main incidents of his own career, At sixteen years old, he and his father proceeded to Australia in connection with the gold rush, and during a sojourn "down under" of about two years' duration, the autobiographer had some interesting experiences. Among others be and his father came in contact with was Mr William Cain, who afterwards became Mayor of Melbourne, and who is at this present time on a visit to his native village, Ballasalla. Mr W. S. Cain returned to the Isle of Man in the early part of 1855, and soon afterwards left for America, whither he was quickly followed by his father and the other members of his family. They took up their residence in Kansas, where they engaged in agriculture. When the Civil War, consequent upon the secession of the slave-holding States, broke out, Mr Cain and his brother, the late Mr John Mylchreest Cain, " fought for Uncle, Sam," The former enlisted in the 8th Kansas Infantry. and in that regiment rose from the rank of private to that of second lieutenant. He was then transferred to the 1st Regiment U.S. Colored Infantry, and subsequently to the 12th Regiment U.S. Colored Infantry, ultimately gaining his captaincy, Mr Cain's description of the Civil War as the greatest war in history is perhaps hardly justified, and there will be many people disposed to join issue with him in his dictum that the war has made the United States the arbiter of nations. We in this worn-out and effete country still cling to the idea that we have something to say in regard to the settlement of international questions. Nevertheless, Mr Cain saw much active service during a long and bloody war, and though he lightly passes over his personal connection with the various campaigns, it is to be gathered that he bore himself bravely and had some experiences of a sanguinary character, His brother, Mr John M. Cain, also rose to the rank of Captain in the U.S. Army during the war, and subsequently had experience of Indian fighting as an officer in the 18th Kansas Cavalry. The experience and observation of Mr W. S. Cain led him to advise army officers to remain single until they are past forty years of age, What have our English military litterateurs to say as to this monition? After dealing with his army service, Mr Cain mentions his election to the Kansas Legislature in 1866. He, while a legislator, gave offence to certain of his constituents by voting against female suffrage and negro suffrage, and to this day he firmly holds the opinion that "we should cease to dilute our electorate, and favour a more restricted suffrage." Scratch a Manxman and you will find a Tory! Evidently Mr Cain, if he lived in England, would not be on the side of Miss Christabel Pankhurst and the other "suffragettes." The author also goes into particulars of his business and domestic life, and pays a warm tribute to the high-minded and disinterested character of his brother, Capt. J. M. Cain — evidently a man more than passing brave and self-sacrificing. He also gives some details of the career of his brother Mr Alfred Daniel Cain. To judge from the matter contained in Chapter III, Mr Cain has never forgotten the temperance principles inculcated by his mother. He dilates pleasantly upon the qualifications of an army officer, and remarks upon the responsibilities attendant upon the leadership of men. Further evidence of Mr Cain's Conservatism is forthcoming in his statement, towards the end of his autobiography that the time has come for the American people " to begin a systematic curtailment of the suffrage, upon the lines of intelligence, property and nativity, and a much longer naturalisation of people who are not familiar with our language and form of government," He is, too, for a bigger navy and the development of the American mercantile marine and fisheries. The old soldier within him speaks out in his advocacy of a larger standing army and an increase of the State militia. That Captain Cain is fair-minded is to be gathered from his naive admission on page 81 that during the War of Secession "the other side (the Confederates) did not do all the retreating." There are several appendices, which do not form the least interesting features of the book. Particularly readable are copies of three letters which appeared in the " Mona's Herald " during the war. The first is from Mr W. S. Cain's father, the second from M W. S. Cain himself, and the third is from his brother, Mr John M. Cain. The letter written by the autobiographer consists of an able argument to the effect that it would be both impolitic and inhumane for the English people to help the South during the war. In these days, when a dispassionate view can be taken of the whole circumstances of the war, there is a consensus of opinion that the contentions as set out in Mr Cain's letter were fully justified, Altogether, Mr. Cain's autobiography should be read, for the reading of it will be attended with instruction. profit, and pleasure, The author has written of things as he has seen them, and the result demonstrates that he is a man of keen observation. It is not stated whether the book is procurable: in England, but in any case the printers are Crane and Company, of Topeka, and presumably Crane and Company are the publishers.