Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1875-03-11
his plantation a poorer, but not a wiser

man.
Pinchback now became the valet Of
Capt. ThOmmassOn, and made himself
generally useful on board the Magnolia.
He was quick and bright, and had learned
to read and write while with his father.
When the city Of New Orleans was taken
by the Federal forces, Pinchback, having
saved a considerable sum Of money which
he had picked up in various ways during
his river life, invested it il a restaurant.
He was a good caterer, tasty and neat, and
ambitious Of being the first in his business.
In a very short time his restaurant became
famous, and was largely patrOnized by the
spectators who flOcked thither, as well as
by the officers Of the Federal army. To
accommodate all the tastes Of his lavish
patrons, Pinchback
OPENED A FARO BANK
in the second story, and a private can-can
in the third story. His intimate knOwl-
edge Of the river, and his extensive &C
qUaintance with the negroes, gave him ex-
ceptiOnally good facilities for obtaining
cOntraband news. Cotton spectators,
blockade runners agents, Confederate
spies, and all other classes who had any
interest in sending or receiving messages
through the lines always found Pinchback
ready to do them a good turn for a cOnsid-
Grafton. Of course he prOspered. Indeed,
he made piles Of money, and having good
business qualifications he invested Judi
ciOusiy in real estate. He got into trouble,
however, Just before Ben Butler was re-
lieyed Of the command Of the Department
Of the Gulf The Generals brother want
ed to mOnOpOllZe the cOntraband trade as
well as the cotton permits. In some way
or another PinChback interfared and Butler
had him arrested on a charge Of keeping
disOrderly house. He vas tried, convicted,
and sentenced 10 the pelitenl iary for a term
Of years, but was released after only a few
months confinement.
He was now a rich man and cOurted the
daughter Of a rich mulattO, who, prior 70
the war, had been a large Shareholder.
There was quite a futter in aristOcTatic
cOlOred circles over this event. Pinchback
was not Ofthe creme de Ia creme. He was
a cOntraband-a low niger who had be
come rich through very questionable means.
His bride was Of the first cOlOred circle,
cultivated, accomplished, and rich. Her
parents objected strongly to the match, but
the dussy maid was constant iT her fidelity
to her handsome, clever lover and finally
her pleadings moved the ObdL ate heart Of
her sire and the twain were made one.
BE BECOMES 4 POLITICIAN.
Pinchbacks star was now in the ascend
ant. The var over, the slaves emancipated
and enfranchised, he became a great pOliti-
cal power. His influence over the ignorant
blacks was almost unlimited, and he really
laid the foundation Of the Ring power
which has been dominant in Louisiana
since the close Of the war. He discovered
WaTmOth, who was an obscure municipal
judge, and attracted By his winning ways,
handsome personal appearance, as well as
by his intellectual power, Pinchback deter
mined to make him the leader Of the Re
publican party in Louisiana. He suggest
ed him as a candidate for 'sDelegate to
Congress from the Territory Of Louisiana"
and instructed his gagents to direct all the
negroes not only to cast their ballots for
him, but also TO contribute a dollar apiece
as an election fund. Warmoth was elected
and enriched at the same time. Pinch
backs little scheme netted his friend about
$4,000. WarmOth came to Washington
and spent the winter; but as all remember,
the Territorial Delegates were not admit
ted.
When the State was reconstructed, War
AAADlAA was FACNlCu Wv GALlAs AAEuUuCA
could have made himself Lieutenant Gov
eTnOr, but be was not ambitious Of the
honor. He preferred 70 be a member Of
the Legislature. There was more money
in it, as well as more advantages to him as
a politician. He had his eve even then on
the United States SenatOrship. This was
his ambition, and il is not strange, there
fore, that he should be savage at his Radi-
cal friends deserving him when he was
about to pluck the long-cOveted prize.
While in the State Legislature, Pinchback
was the CapLain-General Of the jObbers.
Every scheme that was brought in had to
receive his approval before it could have
the slightest show. Of course he made
money rapidly. He certainly made half
million Of dollars while he was a legis-
latOr. Il is admitted by Well-informed
New Orleans people that Pinchback's prop
erty would be worth, under favorable cir
cumstances, fully three-quarters Of 4lnillion
He has still unlimited influence with the
negroes, Notwithstanding he has broken
with Packard and Casey.