The Sweetwater enterprise. (Sweetwater, Tenn.) 1869-187?, 1871-06-01
THE ENTERPRISE.
SweetWater. Thursday, June /, 1871.
UP IN THE WORLD.
An Episode in the Life Of the Pre-
sent Governor of Kentucky,

An Episode in the Life Of the Pre-
sent Governor OF Kentucky.
Early in the year 1882, Mr. Leslie,
now Governor of Kentucky, then quite
o youth, came to Louisville seeking en-
ployment in some mercantile house, but
being q stranger and without recon-
mendation, he failed in his object. De-
termined ut all events to gain o iyeli-
hood, he finally hired himself es q cart
driver and set resolutely about discharg-
ing the duties OF the position. He Ia
bored faithfully for a while in this hum
bic occupation, but soon tired of it.
Yielding to a romantic desire to lead
the life of woodman," he determined
to become a wood chopper, wood chop
ping at that time being quite business
in the vicinity of the city. Consequent
ly, in the year 1888, he shook the dust
from his feet, and with an ax and cook
ing utensils, repaired TO the immense
timber region immediately south of the
city, built him hut, and went to work
to hew out his fortune. BY incessant
toll he succeeded in getting out one cord
of wood per day, which was worth sew
enty-fve cents per cord. He continued
thus to labor, amid great difficulties and
hardships, until the cholera became epi-
demic ut Louisville, causing great con-
sternation among the inhabitants. Fear
fGl Of falling o victim to the terrible
scourge, and apprehensive of dying
alone and unattended, he quilted his
sylvan hermitage and sought employ
ment on farm ut u safe distance from
the peStilential district. After many dis
couragements, ho at length obtained
situation at Hancock's ferry, about eight
miles south Of Louisville, where he
served as ferIyman, and as farmer boy
on Hancock's farm, on the Indiana side
OF the river. He was thus engaged un-
til the spring Of 1884. About that
time Tanner Jones son Daniel came
to tho landing with twenty or thirty
hands, each armed with an ak, en- route
for the " Indiana hills in search of tan
bark. While crossing the river Jones
inquired OF Hancock concernidg O cook
for his men. Whereupon young Leslie
was recommended as capable and hon
est, and was Immediately employed and
installed in the Office by Jones. He
served as caterer for the party during
the expedition.
Jones and Leslie did not meet again
until years after, when they were sent as
representatives to Frankfort, one from
Jefferson the other from Monroe county
They met by accident at Col Hodges,
where each had engaged lodgings Les
lie at once recognized Jones, but Jones
did not recognize him. They were i'll
troluced rs strangers, and were given
rooms Immediately opposite each other.
Matters thus continued for two weeks or
mere, when Leslie asked Jones if he re-
membered ever to have seen him before
Jones replied that he did not, Leslie
then asked him if he recollected the boy
at Hancock's ferry who went with HIM
to Indiana to cook for him. Jones re-
sponded that he did. "Well," says Les
lie, ~ am that boy" Jones sprang from
his seat, threw his arms around Leslie's
neck, and for q while these strong men
were melted in tears. From that hour
the closest friendship existed between
them and was only terminated by the
death of Jones.