HERODOTUS.
Cromwell, Iowa.
Please give a short sketch of Herodotus, the father of history.
Frank Smith.
Answer.—Herodotus, called the “Father of History,” was born at Halicarnassus, a Dorian city of Asia Minor, B. C. 484. In his youth he became disgusted with the tyrannical rule of Lygdamis, and abandoned his home for the island of Samos, upon which he acquired the Ionic dialect, which he used in writing his history. After remaining there some time he began his famous travels, visiting Greece, Asia Minor, Syria, Babylon, and Northern Africa. Returning to his old home he assisted in the expulsion of Lygdamis and the establishment of a new ruler. The latter, however, became nearly as tyrannical as the former, so that Herodotus again looked abroad for a home. Hearing that a colony was about to leave Athens for Italy, he joined it and settled, B. C. 443, at Thurrii in that peninsula. At that place he lived the remainder of his life, writing the history which has been a lasting monument to his name. It is not known in what year he died; but it is supposed that he lived to be a very old man.
A PENSION QUERY.
Iola, Ill.
Please answer the following: A soldier applies for a pension because of a disease contracted while in the service, but dies of said disease before action is taken by the department, leaving no wife but one child, a daughter, under 16 years of age, who dies before the claim is allowed; who, if anybody, is entitled to the pension?