Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1873-08-16
1 Remincscense by Ex-senator FOofe.


ing eight lines fifty cents
4 ReInincscense by Ex-senator FOofe.
Ia the days of my early boyhood a duel oc-
Cured within some twenty-five or thirty miles
of the city of Washington, which must have
rroAuccd at the time very deep impression
mon public sentiment throughout Virginia; for
,hc drplorable result Of this memorable couhct
e arms is said to have been the principal
cause Of the excellent anti-dueliug act to be
found in the statutebopk of this grave and
dyuiticd commonwealth, which example OF
wise aud wholesome legislation is well known to
have been since very extensively initiated else
where. The a fair to which | have just made
special reference was the famous duel between
Kemp and Hooe, of Prince William county.
spectacle attainments, and of great personal
popularity He was, we believe, the father
Of the late Bernard Hooe, esq, formerly Mayor
of this city well recollect seeing him re-
peatedly at my fathers house, aud of hearing
him spoken OF u terms OF the waruest COM
mcndation. He was relative OF my Own, and
was much loved and hcnored by a large and in.
huential family connection. Bernard Hooe
was a Jealous Federallst, and had once or
twice represented the county OF Prince William
m,hc State Legislature, in which body he was
and the quarrel between these gentlemen was
almost strictly olitical Kemp shot down his
antagonist, who died Immediately, leaving be-
kind him widow and many children, all OF
whom we're knowu TO me famlllary y. Many
time have participated in the reproduction
Of this duel, as one OF band OF youthful
Grauaiits persoup, in the parlor OF my own
home, with certain of my equals in age, and ln
the absence Of all grown persons; aud never did
90 through this melancholy scence without
fresh emotions of distress and chagrin.
have seen the victor in this contest more
than once He was considerably the junior of
IIooc was also man OF hne presence, and
bore the reputation of being a warm hearted,
brave. euterprising, and intelligent young man
He is described to me to have been deputy
sheriff in the county Of Prince William Tor some
Years, and TO have acquired in that office much
popularity.
There was in this county at that time
Young lady Of singular beauty and accomplish
lucnts, OF the name of Graham. Her educa-
ton had been we'll attended to, and all who
knew her spoke Of her temper and manners ln
language OF the warmest cOmmendation. She
was the daughter of DR.. George Graham, a
gentleman Of rare accomplishments aud high
reputation iu the medical profession. tie had
been educated at Edinburgh being himself a
native Of Scotland, and was reported to be OF
good birth aud affiliations in his native land.
This gentleman was the third husband OF my
,cneraicd grandmother, and often have sat
in bis lap iu childhood and been the grateful
recipient of his more than fatherly attentions.
After the decease of my grandmother. Or.
Graham married Miss Hooe, sister to the
Bernard Hooe whom | have already mentioned
as having lost his life on the field of honor.
When in my twelfth year, heard the Epis
copal funeral service read by my father There
beng no minister present) over the remains OF
Dr. Graham on one Of the coolest winter days
ever experienced The grave 10 which this
excellent man lies inferred is distant from the
celebrated Bull Run battlefield some two or
three miles only. A cannon fired by the tede.
r, army might have transported the ball with
which ii was charged to the very margin Of that
same grave: which fact | mention particularly
Tor a reason which will presently be obvious.
Kemp was warm admirer of Miss GrahaII
aud made proposals OF marriage TO her. The
Young lady was said to have been much attach
ed TO him and to have expressed her willing
hess to become his wife Friends intertercd
who broke off the marriage. Miss Graham
was aitcrward married to Mr. Bird, an old
bachelor, and about the weathiest man 10
l'ruce William county. He died in less than
aycar, aud, as soon as decency would allow,
hemp renewed his matrimonial proposals to
his former mistress and was accepted. Bird
lad devised 20 his young wife the whole OF his
estate
A'ter Kcmp's marriage with Mrs. Bird he
disposed Of her property, aud removed to the
lar Southwest He located in the neighbour
hood OF the city of Natchez where he became
a Wealthy and prosperous cotton-planter
When General Jackson marched to the de-
i,nse OF New Orleans he passed through the
>iate Of Mississippi. Here General (then
CocneD Kinds Joined him, bringing to his aid
'Aa' celebrated dragoon regiment which dlstln-
sq':led itself so much in the memorable battle
winch saved the booty and beauty of New
Nvlnp commanded one of the fucst companies
.yIory Of his illustrious commander, Of whom
Inc battle that he rode tearesSly between the
'TO opposing hosts just before The moment of
vSrhllicl, the pride OF one army and the terror
NSed only for few years. leaving uumber Of
SI.dren t1 Among the daughters who sprang
i'on him was Mrs Howell, of whom, | am
'T; %:d Mrs Jctfrrson Davis is the daughter. If
ms be true, (and others perhaps know more
A',l Why then, when Jefferson Davis rode
over the Bull Run batsle field, on the day after
u.i iamons conflict Of arms, he was, perhaps
Without being at all conscious of the fact, with.
"a lew hundred yards of that seauestered
''Fest grave where thirty years before, | had
Sen The mortal remains of his wifc's great
grandfather solemnly deposited
NJ lSSOURI FLOUR OF ROME