The daily union., 1854-10-27
the AbhryiIie Banner.
A SKETCH OF THE EARLY LIFE OF JOHN O.
CALHOUN
Ben LosoNp. Tale County. A

Ben LoaoED, Tale County, Ala.
/ received yours Of the nth inst, few days ago.
Having been friend and ardent admirer of
Mr. Calhoun take pleasure in answering your inquiries
concerning his early life, far as ! am able He
was seven years my senior, and of course was but
boy when he attained to the age of manhood. I
first knew him in the year 1901 when were for few
months sohoofllovs in the academy then taught by the
ate Pr Wadael in Vienna Air. Calhoun, after th,
time entered Yale college and my education having only
Just begun, nothing of him until / commenced the
study Of law in the of 1870 AT this time Mr. Cal
houn practising law at Abbeye courthouse the late
Governor Noble being his partner They occupied as an
office the house in which Governor Noble afterwards lived
bi his death After knew him a lawyer, Mr. Calhoun
always boarded a the hotel known as The Red House
and now occupied by the McLaren family During a part
Hnot ell the time he boarded there the hotel was kept h
George Whtefeld The business Of the court was al that
time divided pretty equally between the three oicesCa
houn aud MOBILES B. G. Yanceys aud my brother George
BoSie There at this time six or eight students in
lhese offices VIZ Captain Robert Cunningham ofIaurens
district and kathAnisl g. Ware in Gahoun and Mobiles
wilson Birk, Of Georgia J. T. Whitefeld and G. G. Yam
vy IN NJ Yeneeys and the late chief justice Of Alabama
Aener > iipscomb and myself in my brothers office.
Ar calhoun was always kind and familiar with young
men, ana ever ready to advance them By his counses and
uuclohs lt was our constant habit assemble in the
sum ner evenings in Mr. Cahouns piazza and listen to his
conversation, In which his partner and Mr. Yaucey and
sometimes the oides, students participated In this way
ne oeshed to instruct his young friends and believe
al prohtsd greatly by such occasions At this period
o. h hie and believe afterwards Mr. Calhoun was
N the habit Of taking much exercise and always op foot
als customary walk up the pendleton road and he
seldom turned before he had walked mile aud a half
rms exercise was usually taken very early in the morning
ana ne was generally willing have one OF his Young
,riehds as companionnot to enjoy their conversation
out TO benefit them by HE remember ON one occasion
ne invited noe to accompany him in his morning stroll
snd refer to It now 20 claim any particular intimacy
with 50 distinguished man Of which any one might lust
ne woud but 70 record disciplinary achievement Of his
own which struck at the time as being very wonderful
ne was endeayoring impress upon my mind the great
Importance Of euldvating The poNer efaon and to en-
courage me IN my efforts he stated that 10 this end he had
carry subjected hS mind TO such course of rigid dsci
Pns anu had persisted without alterng until he had ac
s'ieu perfect control over il and that he could now
co"ne u as long as he pleased TO any subject without
wandering even for moment and that II was his uniform
haot when he set out alone TO walk or ride To selst
SUBJECT Tor reflection and that be never suffered his aten
oon 10 wander from until he was satisfied with lis
examination IN this single achievement is to be found
hmiy believe the principal cause Of his Quiet inellec
O" rnmphs this made him the greatest thinker OF his