The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1848-11-25


ever lived was John Randolph Of Roanoke.
He was born the I'd of June, 1878, at Ma.
toax, the seat of his father. three miles
above Petersburg. Va. In bis veins were
blended the sristocraiic blood Of England
and the blood royal Of primitive America.
His lordly hearing. aboriginal descent, &C.
centric career, and extraordinary eloquence
early fastened the attention Of his country
men upon him, and through many years en-
crossed popular regard to wonderful de-
gree.
Mr.. Randolph made his first appearance
in public life in 1899, as candidate for a
seat in Congress, and was elected.
When he entered Congress, bis youthful
aspect, among other striking traits. attract
ed universal surprise. As he presented him.
self at the clerks table 10 qualify, the Off
cial demanded his age. "Ask my constit-
uents, was the characteristic reply.
MIR. Randolph soon became marked
man in the national councils. His fear
less thought, pungent language. whitening
sarcasm, and general power as prompt
and passionate debater attracted the admi.
ration as we'll as excited the dread Of all
parties within Congress and without.
John Randolph was about six feet high.
He had elevated shoulders, a small head,
and physiognomy all the parts of which
were entirely unintellectual except the eye
His hair was dark, thin, and lank, and lay
close to his head. His voice was shfill as
a fife. but its clear. shIieking tones could
be distinctly heard by large audience
The muscle, and skin about his face were
shriveled and cadaverous like wrinkled
parchment. His whole form was so atten
luated and rneaere, that, tall as he was, hi
acquaintaness supposed him not to weigf
more than hundred and thirty pounds.
4 The author Of Clinton Bradshaw, WHIT
enjoyed favorable opportunity Of observ
ing this strange being, has given us the fol
lowing graphic description Of his person
habiliments, and manners:
His long. thin legs. about as thick as
walking cane, and Of much such shape
were encased in pair Of light small clothe
so tight they seemed part and parcel Of tn
wearer- Handsome white stockings wer
fastened with great tidiness at the knees. b
a gold buckle, and over them, coming abo,
4 half way up the calf, were pair Of WIFI
;, believe were called hose, country kni
s He wore shoes. They were old fashione'
and fastened also with buckles-large one
t He trod like an Indian without turning h
: toes out, but planking them right ahea'
1t 1t was the fashion in those days to wear
II fan-tailed coat; with a small collar, wi
IS buttons far apart on the back, and but fe
!, on the breast. Mr.. Randolph's was Il
3 reverse Of this. Instead Of being fan-taile
IT it was what | believe the knights Of Il
VI needle call swallow-tailed; the collar w
/ immensely large; the buttons were in XII.
' ing proximity, and they sat as close on d
breast Of the garment as the feasters at
crowded festival. His waist was so.
I. markably slender that. as he stood with
y arms akimbo. he could easily, as though
q with his long bony fingers. have spann
q il. Around him, his coat, which was We
4 tight, was held together by one button, an
in consequence, an inch OF more OF tap
>. to which the button was attached. was p,
L ceptible where it was pulled through I
rs cloth. About his neck he wore viii
y cravat, in which his chin was occasional
y buried as he moved his head in convers
!. ton; no shirt collar was perceptible; eve
is other person seemed to pride himself on Il
# size Of his. as they were then worn larg
4. Mr.. RandoIph's complexion was precise
% that of mummy-withered, saffron, d
e and bloodless you could not have placed
n point on bis face where you would not ha
% touched wrinkle. His lips were thi
n compressed. and colorless; the chin, bear
:. less as boys. was broad for the size Of
> face, which wassmall; his nose was straigl
n with nothing remarkable in it, except tn
4 il was too short. He wore fur cap, WIFI
he took of, standing few minutes unco
\ cred. Fancy dead man struck into Ii
j by lightning, and all his life in his eye, al
n you have picture Of John Randolph
,. Magoon's Orators Of the american Rer
% luton.