Abbeville press. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1860-1869, 1869-05-07
!. FAMOUS PULL OF THE. NOSE

L y
this month, Pocahontas, daughter Of
Powhattan, was married to John
! Rolfe, at Jamestown, Va. She died
in England in March, four years after
her marriage, leaving one son, who
returned to Virginia to reside, and
there left descendants, among whom
was John Randolph, of Roanoke
Robert B Randolph, cousin of John
died at his residence on the corner of
Four-and-a-half and G streets, Wash
ington, on the morning of the Goth
inst, at the age of 7s. lie was tho
man who tDeaked the nose of Andrew
jackson, Old Hickory being then
President of the United States.
The pulling took place in the cabin
of a steamer which stopped at Alex
andria on it's passage down the river.
Randolph went aboard, marched up
to Jackson, who supposed he was con
fronted by friend till the thing was
done. Randolph got beyond tho ju-
risdiction of the county police before
process could be issued, aud escaped
arrest. The scene when Jackson
found himself with a pulled nose is
described by those who saw it as one
of stupendous rage. The cities of
the District of Columbia werc in q
foam over the indignity, and the
whole country, in fact, was for a time
in a tempest, the triumphant Jackson
party feeling that it's own nose had
been twisted by this audacious de-
sccndant of Pocahontas. General
Van Ness, then Mayor of Washing
ton, sent solemn message to the
Councils On the event, and the Boards
responded in a solemn resolution of
coincidence and indignation.
No wonder that Randolph had to
dodge from place to place for two
years to avoid arrest. Finally, it is
reported that an officer now living,
was authorized to inform Randolph
that if he would apologize for his in
suit to the President, he would be re-
instated. This Randolph declined to
do until the President had first apollo
gized. 1t is hardly necessary to say
that no apology came. After twenty
three years of service in the navy,
and much gallant conduct, Randolph
without much property, and without
a profession, WAS turned adrift upon
the world. During the administra-
ton of James Buchanan, John B.
Floyd, then Secretary of War, gave
Randolph the position of Supcrin-
tendcnt of the Armory in Washing
ton; but he only held the place a
short time, as Buchanan hearing of
the appointment, ordered it to be
revoked for reasons best known to
himself. .-... ..
The origin of the trouble between
Jackson and Randolph was this: Some
few years ago, it will be remembered,
q person named Bouganini eloped
from New York with the property
and niece of his wife, whom he had
then recently married; the forsakon
wife was once the wife of General Ea.
ton, Secretary of War to General
Jackson; and prior to that the wife
of ono Timberlake, who. died q pur.
ser in the United States navy. On
the death Of Timberlake, Randolph
who was then lieutenant in the navy
was appointed to act temporarily, as
purser in his place. He found his &C
counts in mixed condition and 8
deficiency existing against him. Be
fore he had q chance to settle his &C
counts, Mrs. T. became the wife o.
General Eaton, Secretary Of War, who
was also surety for her former hus
band. It became apparently of inter
est to. both that the deficiency
charged should be shifted. to othe,
! shoulders than those Of tho deaG
purser. An attempt was made to car
ry out the scheme, with, Randolph al
the victim. Randolph asked for !.
court Of Enquiry, which being granted
he was cleared Of all suspicion b,
it's report. But, nevertheless, Presi
dent Jackson ordered his dismissa
td.o.- ~. - -" NJ r..s. II