William M. Dye
Mansfield's statesmen and soldiers have made her famous in all parts of the United States, but few people in this city are aware of the fact that one of the most prominent generals in the world today is a Mansfielder and has relatives now residing in this city. But such is the fact, and this person of renown is Lieutenant General William M. Dye, the commander-in-chief of the Korean army. General Dye has been a soldier of fortune, and his life has been one of romance and excitement. Samuel L. Carrothers, the well known carpenter of this city, is an uncle of General Dye, his oldest sister having been the mother of the distinguished soldier. A SHIELD reporter called at the Carrothers home on East Fourth Street this morning, where he was told the story of the General's life. Mr. Carrother's sister was married to Amos Dye and moved to Pennsylvania where Wm. M. Dye was born. Shortly after the General's birth his father died and his mother moved back to this city with her family. Wm. M. Dye received an appointment to West Point from this district about the year 1840 and graduated from that institution four years later. He enlisted in an Iowa regiment at the beginning of the Civil War and was discharged in 1865 with the rank of colonel. About 1868 he went to Egypt, and when the Egyptian war broke out he enlisted in the Khedive's army. He rose to the rank of adjutant general on the Khedive's staff and served in this army for five years. At the close of this war he returned to this country and received the appointment of Chief of the Washington City police force, which position he held for several years. While in Washington, General Dye was engaged to drill the Corean army in modern military tactics. He entered into a contract and assumed his duties as military instructor and at the expiration of his contract returned to this country and visited at the home of his uncle, Mr. Carrothers, of this city. The Corean government again offered General Dye a position in the Corean army, which he accepted, and he rose to his present position of Lieutenant General of the Corean forces. He has a wife and married daughter who resides in Michigan, where he makes his home when in this country. Mr. Carrothers receives a letter several times each year from his noted nephew and takes great interest in the troubles between Japan and China over Corea. Mr. Carrothers said that General Dye is about seventy years of age, but is as hearty and strong as a man of fifty.
From Richland Shield & Banner: August 18, 1894, Vol. LXXVII, No. 14