The interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1872-1881, 1874-03-13
An Incident Connected with the
Life Of Tom. Marslsall.

Life or Tom. Marslsal1.
Corr,spoaieace LA'eriJr JJvrHaii
Since the recent publication in the Courier
Journal If a sketch Of the life and character Of
Hon. T. +. Marshall, by Paul Shipman, al
most every paper we open has something to
say Of that Distinguished man-some incident
relative To his eccentric character-all Of
which is read with relish by bis numerous
admirer- still alive.
An incident occurred 10 Frankfort during
the darkest days Of the late war, Of which the
writer Of this had personal knowledge, and
which may be Of some interest
Mr. Marshall, at that time, was a resi-
dent of Chicago, and was visiting friends in
Frankfort lie was either ON a spree when
he came there, or very soon after his arrival
got on a glorious one. At that period Of the
war very few pcr-ons could be found who pos.
-cs.cd sufficient courage and intrepidi;y to
question the actions Of the mighty powers
that existed, for General Burbridrc was in
supreme command in the State, with his head
quarters in the city Of Lexington, and words
spoken above whisper, or acts that savored in
the least Of dsloyalty weresub ected to scrutiny
and the dre.t punishments inflicted. So, I'M
der the circumstances but few could be found
that were willing to "brav. the Douglas in hi.
hall"
Bu, the coming Of Mr. Marshall on this oc-
ca-iOn, Opened way for those who had woes
to utter or bad feelings to yen,ilatc, through
him. In few hours after hi. arrival bills
were posted announcing that Hon. Thomas +.
Marshall would address the citizens on that
evening at the courthonse the ladies were
especially invited to attend.
AZ the appointed hour the courthouse was
crammed and iammcd with eager admirers Of
the fearless champion Of the dowh.trodden
South.
The speaker was in his happicst vein. lie
opened in hi. historical lecture going back to
the creation and connecting link by link ev-
cry effort made by dosn-trodden people to
secure their release from an insnilcraho bond
age. lie spoke Of the early settlement of
Virginia, and faithfully dclincatcd the char
acters and painted the suilerings Of the early
settlers. lie spoke Of the life and character
Of Washington. and cuntrastcd the puny pig
mics Of the present day with his great abili
ties. lie. also, spoke Of the virtues Of Jcfer-
son, Madison, Patrick Henry and dwclt long
upon the character Of Light Horse Harry Lee
comparing the living general with his dead
ancc-tor-lauding his present actions To the
skies, aud, in fact, was delivering fine eulo-
gsm on his patriotic effort to free his country
from the North But, alas, for Marshall !!
Just as he wa ia the zenith of his glory his
audience being sprll-bound by his maichless
oloqucnce R.ntin, Of the 18th
Kentucky regiment which was ON duty in
Frankfort at that time, entered the courthouse
uuobserved, anl whispered the unfortunate
words: "Mr. Marshall YOU are my prisoner,
GOMEZ" The silence which followed a. the
officer left the room followed by the lionized
orator, was painful. Noone uttered word
their homes, there to denounce in whispers the
tyrannical act Of suppres,ing the freedom Of
speech.
The following dav a preliminary trial was
given Marshall before the then acting. PRO.
yost Marshal, Major Mahoney. whom some
of your reader. will remember as one of the
builders Of the handsome courthouse at Ian.
caster, few years ago.
Op;,e n ,pmho- ~ ci,;,ors wo,. srr,r,oro,l
IN testify b,c,,e ,bis cour, Of .,opirv ,,h.
nr;,er holm, ono of tho r,,,bor, a. % tho
cbar,c,e, of nj. s,o.ch and whether or No, 4,
was reasonable
Tho carly nae, os A.. d,v ,,,s n,..o, Il,
t,Lin, doxn tho ,o.,;uony-ur N,rsb,u h..
inc nresent all tho Tim. h,, yer avn, =,
,,orj Tbo o,.,,, ..i;a,.,,.I g.. ill., a.
moo, n, ,wo Ill A., ,,. -. ,i.,. a.,