White Cloud Kansas chief. [volume] (White Cloud, Kan.) 1857-1872, 1859-04-21
William =. HASH

In the Memphis Bulletin We find the
J following sketch Of one of the hfagest,
truest, tenderest, noblest, and most unfor-
tunate men that ever lived
We announced on Friday morning the
decease Of William T. Haskell, the most
extraordinary endowed man that Teanesa
see has yet PRODUCED We deem his re-
markable character entitled to something
more than brief observation, that would
associate it with the rapid Transportation
Of events that sweep BY US, and are re-
membered no more. The history Of that
remarkable man, as well as the, facts
within our possession enable Us TO write
it, Is summoned up in few words. He
was born In the village Of Murfreesboto'
about the year 1918, and was the soheof
the Hon. Joshua Haskell. He was edu-.
Gated at the Nashville University, where;
he graduated with distinction in 1885,.
When the Florida War broke out, his
young spirit was fred with a desire to-
serve his country, and he repaired to the,
theatre Of hostilities as volunteer. Re-,
turning when his period Of duty was end,
ed, he turned his attention to politics, and
was returned from the County Of Madi-
son. tothe Legislature. In 1910 he began
to develop those powers of elocution that
gave him so much renown in his SUISSE
qoent career. Taking the Wing side of
politics, he was, in 1874, nominated by
his district as Presidential elector on tho
Clay ticket. In that celebrated canvass
he won the applause of all who heard bis.
splendid speeches, and contributed very
materially to the success of Mr.. Clay in.
that State. When the Mexican war broke
out, he volunteered his services asa-sOldgi
Ter, and was elected to the command Of
one Of the Tennessee regiments, which be,
commanded at the celebrated battle of
Oerro Gordo. Upon his return, he was
elected from the jackson District to a
seat in the Congress of the United Statss.s
He served one term, and established for
himself in that body a reputation for orr
atory second to that of no man then In.
the national councils. In 1852 he was o
candidate for Presidential elector for the
State at large on the Scott ticket. In
this campaign his journey through thsI
State was an ovation. The greatest
crowds that ever assembled in the State
came out to hear him, and his speeches
are said, by the best judges who heard
him, to have been the most brilliant and
thrilling that ever fell from the lips of
man. Thousands hocked to hear him,
and stood frequently in the full blaze of
tho mid summer sun, and in the drench-
ing rain for hours, unconscious, seeming
ly, of either, fascinated by the wonderful
charms of his eloquence. In 1856, he
once more took the field of oratory, and
eanvassed the State, urging the claims of
Dir. Fillmore to the Presidency. Those
who heard him then will long and wildly
how, when his tall form rose
upon the rostrum before them, the great
throngs shouted and pressed eagerly for
ward {; and how, when in the midst Of his
flowing speech and burning words, they
became silent, motionless mass Of hui
man flesh. 49,
During the year 1851, change cape
upon him, and we who knew him init
nately, do well remember the progress Of
that awful calamity that threw over his
bright mind the impenetrable darkness Of
its eclipsing wing. His brilliant reason
wavered for months. and we could trace,
the light as it descended from a blaze to
q spark, and then went out forever. He
became insane, and the fancy that dwell
so beautifully within the temple Of his
soul, now uneopfned, Auttered abroad
without order or restraint 1t WAS sor=
rowful to behold so much grandeur in
ruins, 50 much wealth Of intellect destroy
ed, and so splendid an ediGce Of genius
in decay. Men passed aud looked upon
him as the traveller looks upon the i'm
mortal relics and ruins of almighty Rome,
and sighed to think that the heap Of ruin
before them could never moro become the
temple in which the throne Of genius was
once erected. They took him away and
confined him, for bis business with men
was ended, and the sun of his glory had
gone down. They confined him in the
Insane Asylum, at Lexington, Ky, first,
and afterward, in that at HopkinsyiIIe.-s
Hopes were indulged that his mind had
not gone away foreyer-thnt time and
gentle care might bring back the gorgeous
Rsnderer. The tenderest hopes Of him
,dilei, and the united prayers Of thous-
lnds of true-hearted frienis were un&n-
'wered. For him there was nothing left
out to die, and he died .af.-.- .ssT