The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1867-05-17
Th& @eafura Gazette,
A RIDE WITH A MADMAN.
How FJOhn Randolph, of Roanoke. Gave
His Friend Crawford am Airing.

IlC AfNCCttyCItC6T SlNCr
a sketch of the eccentric and brilliant
John Randolph. 1t talks of fhim as the
greatest intellect Virginia h as produced.
He may have been, and probably was,
the most brilliant, but it was the fire OF
insanity. He was, part of his life, "as
mad as a March hare" One of his mad
freaks is ludicrously described by the
writer in the IntelLigencer, with some
excusable exaggerations. The United
States Senator Crawford alluded to was
the man that ran for the Presidency in
1824.-The writer in the Latelligencer
says:
Randolph's friend, VIM. HI. Craw-
ford, of Georgia, was born in Amherst
county, Va, on the oath of February,
1772, but emigrated to Georgia at an
early day, and soon became noted as a
lawyer and statesman-w was elected
to the United States Senate in 1906, and
again in 1911. Whilst members OF
Congress, the intimacy commenced be-
tween these distinguished politicians.
In the month of December, 1910, Mr..
Randolph had an attack of periodical
gout, and went home to Roanoke.
But before leaving Washington, he
learned that his friend Crawford inten-
ded visiting Georgia during the Christ
mas holidays on important business,
and as he lived Immediately on the
route the Georgia Senator had to travel,
he made him agree that he would call
at Roanoke and eat his Christmas din
ner. To this Senator Crawford agreed,
and, true to his promise, reached Roa-
noke, the home of Mr.. Randolph, on
Christmas eve, the 24th of December,
1910.
The usual custom of those days with
gentlemen travelling, was in the old
fashioned two-wheeled gig. Mr. Ran
dolph was, of course, much pleased to
receive SO distinguished a guest. Sen
ator G. says he found Mr.. Randolph
greatly improved in health since he
parted with him in Washington city,
and in fine flow ofspirits. They satu
till late hour, discussing the political
news of the day, and men as states
men, warriors, poets and philosophers.
On retiring to bed, Mr.. Randolph re-
marked to his distinguished friend that
he had been invited to take Christmas
dinner with an old and esteemed friend,
and that, inasmuch as he did not know
whether he, Crawford, would come or
not, he had promised to attend, and
added that if he, Crawford, would con-
sentto go, they would "ride over in the
morning" Senator Crawford, think
ing Mr.. Randolph's friend lived only
in the neighborhood consented at once.
At this, Mr.. Randolph babe him good
night the weather being clear but in
tensely cold, and Mr.. Crawford much
fatigued from his ride from Washing
ton city to Charlotte county, sleptsOund-
ly.
About half-past three o'clock, how
ever, Senator G.. says he was aroused
from his slumbers by Mr.. r. and SER
want, who informed him that he must
''be up, as it was time to start on the
road to dine" Mr.. Randolph approach
ed the bed with a large bowl of strong
coffee and brandy, and said to hisfriend,
"drink this, Crawford; it will open
your eyes, brace you for the ride, and
give you an appetite for dinner" "
Whilst the Senator was dressing, John
ny approached and adjusted huge
pair of old English spurs, Of the purest
metal, and of great age, and artistic
design. The spurs on, the Senator was
admonished that the horses were at
the door by the paving and champing
of the bits; at the same time Mr.. Ran
dolph, in that peculiar voice like the
mellifuous tones of a silver trumpet,
said: "Crawford, all is ready-let's
ride"
The distinguished Georgian then ap-
preached the door, and, by the light of
numerous pine torches, he saw three
horses in readiness. Mr.. Randolph,
pointing to an immense black stallion.
champing, paving and snorting, held
by two stalwart negro fellows, said,
Crawford, mount that horse" Mr..
Crawford, being very large and cor
pulent man, said: 81 can't ride that
horse" "Mount him, Crawford, mount
him." was the reply. Mr.. Crawford
demonstrated, saying he was not accus-
toned to horseback exercise, and he
doubted his ability to ride that animal
pointing to the restless black stallion.
Mr.. Randolph seemed irritated, and
said, rather sharply: "Mount, sir ;
mount him !" Mr.. Crawford saw that
no excuse would do, and he finally con-
sented to mount, which he did, after
great efforts-the stallion neighing,
painting, paving and rearing, but the
negroes held him securely till the pom
derous Georgian got fairly and square
ly in the saddle, well in the stirrups,
and reins well in hand.
Mr.. Randolph then mounted large
bay stallion of high mettle, and then
came forth Juba, the trusty old SER
want, dressed in full livery, with a
cooked hat and trumpet.-Juba mount
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