White Cloud Kansas chief. [volume] (White Cloud, Kan.) 1857-1872, 1860-08-16
Henry A. Wise at Home in Princess
Anne County-How he Talks, and
Dresses, and Farms.

Gov. Wise, since the expiration Of his
term in office as Governor of Virginia,
has settled in Princess Anne county, in
this State. His residence is about seven
miles from Norfolk, by the regular route,
but not more than four in a direct line.
We left here about FIVE o'clock this af-
ternoon, and though the day was extreme
ly hot, the route was so well shaded as to
diminish very materially the inconveni-
ences which would otherwise result to US.
About six miles from the city we enter
ed by a plain wooden gate, and proceed
ed in the direction of the Governors
house along straight avenue, lined on
either side with crop of the most prom
ising, and evidently the best cultivated
corn and oats in the country. We en-
countered some 160 acres of the former
and about 120 acres Of the latter, all eul-
tivated under his own immediate super
intendence, and exhibiting in their rich
and well ordered uniform growth the in
fallible indications of skillful husband
ing. Before proceeding third of the
distance from the gale to the Governors
residence, the darkey driver called cut
to those in the carriage, "Massa Henry
is coming !" Every darkey in this re-
gion calls him by that name. put my
head out the window of the carriage, and
true enough, "Massa Henry" was COM
ing. But in what trim ! / never knew
him to dress well. Whenever he does
make any appearance it is all confined to
the fixing of a scarf round bis neck,
which is fastened with plain gold breast.
pin across his bosom. never could be
persuaded that he performed this little
branch Of the toilet himself. 1t required
little more care and taste than believ-
ell Henry A. Wise would be willing to
bestow upon matters of dress. But in
this instance he was burthened with no
such thing as scarf or neck tie, nor even
vest. His whole dress consisted Of a
Panama hat, and that by no means new,
plain white linen coat, white Russian
duck" pantaloens, folded up at the bot
tom, and pair of shoes, in perfect keep
ing with the other portions of the dress.
He had with him, leaning on his left
arm, an axe, which gave him peculiarly
the appearance of backWoodsman who
was ready for anything, from bear to
Everybody who has seen
Governor Wise will say that he is at
least determined; but in this instance he
exhibited, in his dress and general out
line, every element that could heighten
this expression.
On seeing the carriage approach he
hurried towards it, and recognizing your
correspondent, he received him with all
the kindness and civility peculiar to
Wise at home. questioned him as to
his motive in carrying the axe, and he
answered that he carried it to kill snakes,
an Indian, if by chance he should come
this way, and for many other purposes
too numerous to mention. At once an
invitation was kindly extended to all in
the carriage to accompany him to his
house, which was about three quarters Of
a mile distant. Several invitations we're
offered to him to take seat in the car
rage, but to no purpose, as he seemed to
prefer walking.
The house is within a few yards Of
Elizabeth river, upon which the city of
Norfolk is located, and nsvigable for
vessels of 400 or 500 tons up to the
Governors farm. Under the skill and
Of such a man as the Gov
ernor it will soon become a charming !
place.
To say that your correspondent aud
his companions were treated well by the
Governor is to state what every one IA
miliar with his character in the domestic
circle knows him to be proverbial for
Speak of all your "old Virginia gentle |
men," but Gov. Wise is the most per-
feet specimen Of that character prOba-
bly, extant. Not one word about poll |
tics, if you don't question him.-COr. Of
he Y. p. Herald.
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