The native Virginian. [volume] (Orange Court House, Va.) 1867-187?, 1868-02-21
A DRUNKEN REPORTER In LYNCH
BURG.

Below will be found letter written
some two years ago, to the Richmond
Eraminer, by a reporter nmcd Fiddle. =
1t is believed that Puddle was really IN
the condition described in his letter,
which will be found sufficiently divert
ing. In response to many inquiries,
we reproduce this "very tight paper a
copy of which we were fortunate en-
ough to secure during Our recent visit
to the city SO drunkenly depicted.
We knew Piddle. He was, in some
respects, the most remarkable man on
the brilliant staff of the Examiner. He
may not have had the towering genius
of Hanna, the pure Attic wit of Pollard
or the fruity humour of Elan, but he
certainly had a capacity for drink great
er than all three combined. Poor fell
low J He has never been heard from
since this, his Big Lick lin more senses
than one) effort. .. E1r -
We give, first, the Editors introduce
tion to the letter, and then the letter it
self. .-....... III. ..t.s -
"Our readers eau hardly have forgot
ten the confused notes of the reporter
of the Examiner newspaper who was
sent to Lynchburg few days before
Christmas. The tenor of those notes
was such as to prepare lis for hiatus in
his correspondence, but we confess we
were not prepared to hear the melan-
choly effects Of the excessive hospitali-
ty which he received at the hands ofthe
good people OF the Hill City. From the
evidence before us, it appears that he
remained in Lynchburg about ten days,
during which time he neglected to draw
single sober breath. But he did draw
on us for funds, which, in anticipation
of his correspondence, we Immediately
forwarded. The result, we fear, was
fatal. He bought two kegs oflager beer
from Shaner, and shipped himself and
freight for Bristol. Proceeding as far
as Big Lick, he got off, opened his kegs
of beer, and, on the strength of our mo-
ney, ordered ball, which was kept up
for three days, after which time he dis
appeared and has never been seen since.
The landlord of the hotel at Big Lick
sends bill against the Examiner for $50
0S, and the following letter, which he
says was found, together with broken
gin bottle and the stump of a lead pen
ell, in the bed last occupied by the I'M
happy reporter. We have forwarded
the amount of the bill by Adams EX-
press to the landlord, but we take oc-
casion here to say that we shall in fu-
tue be responsible for no more bills
contracted in this manner. The name
of the deceased was Frederick A. Pid-
die. He was native. we believe, of
Waterford, but lived for many years in
this State as .iobber in dry goods
Becoming addicted to drink, he took
naturally to newspaper life, and was
in the employ of the Examiner from the
time of It's ro-cStabl ishment in Decem-
Der last. lie was about the medium
HtlSIlb, HIS llOSJIllS NtlS vi
size, and he wore suit Of darkish
clothes, Should he be alive, we WILDE
thankful for any information which
may lead to his arrest, for we are de-
termined to punish the swindler.
Here is his letter as nearly as we have
been able to make it out, for it is writ
ten in an atrociously intoxicated hand:
LYNCHBURG,
Dec, or Jan. the something.
There are-Lynchburg is-contound
this pencil. how it wabbles!
Lynchburg is one Of the-no It amt.
The traveller, coming to this city--ar-
rives-of course he arrives-arrives bot
tlo in hand, bottle empty, just before
lilo, just after he has taken the last
drop.
Bad start, id bad. Make Pollard
mad as h, Mustn't swear-mad as a