The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1877-08-22
Major Tom Ochiltree.
Some Good Stories About the Arneri-
oan Beau Bruunel.

=
Everybody knows or oughtto know
Tom Ochiltree, Of Texas, Major
Tom Ochiltree, the American Beau
Brummel, confident of JEFF Davis, (
4 bosom friend of Grant, who made
him United States Marshal for Eas
tern Texas. The most companiona-
BILE, jolliests good for nothing fellow
that ever lived on other peoples
money, is Tom Ochiltree Of the au-
burn locks. Tom served in the Con-
federate army during the war, and in
the Federal service after the war.
He accepted the situation" after
the ''break up" Tom always accep-
ted the situation, or anything else
that would be of any benefit to Ma.
jor Ochiltree. As story teller, a
stump speaker and good fellow
generally, he has no equal. He is
always inpecunious, always flusb.-
How he gets money to spend no one
can tell; how he manages to live in
a style it would require a million
ARES income to support, he proba
bly, cannot tell himself. On one oc-
casion he was in England, a guest
of a nobleman who had come in con
tact with him during a visit to this
country, and who had fallen an easy
victim to Toms unsurpassed impu-
derce and powers of fascination
The Englishman had taken Tom to
London and was exhibiting him to
his friends as genuine American
lion. Tom was plentifully supplied
with funds by his noble friend, and
was cutting a grand figure. One
day Tom and his friend met the
Prince of Wales at club. The no.
bleman asked permission of the
Prince to introduce bis American
friend; leave having been obtained,
Tom was formally introduced to the
heir apparent. He grasped the roy
al hand and shook it heartily, and
then burst out, "Wales, old fellow,
I'm devilish glad to know you; let's
take drink" The horror of the
nobleman was changed to amaze.
ment when the Prince gave Toms
hand hearty shake and replied,
"Don't care if I do" Cheek carried
the day. But that is not the anec-
!, dote I started to relate. I tell it as
Tom himself related it to me. Du-
ring the war he was Aid DEF camp on
the staff of General Dick Taylor, and
: was sent to carry dispatches to Rich
mond reporting severe engagement
in Arkansas. He was compelled to
cross down into Texas In order to
make his way through the Federal
!, Hines. One night be stopped at a
fine mansion in Northern Texas.
The only members of the family at
home were an old lady and her
young and lovely daughter. The on
ly son of the lady Of the house was
absent in the Confederate army
+ Toms Confederate uniform secured
y him a hospitable reception. The
, lady had heard rumors of a great
battle having been fought, and was
anxious to obtain tidings of her son,
and finally, after Tom had given a
glowing description Of the battle, she
hesitatingly inquired il he knew OLA
young officer named ~, in the ar.
N.Y. "Know him, madam! cried
Tom, "why, he was my bosom friend
we were intimate as brothers; in the
: heat of:battle he fell by my side;
= was with him during his last mo.
: ments; he breathed his last breath
- y, in my arms" The old lady stared
at him wildly for moment, ther
:, she cried, "My SON! my son. anG
fell falnting into the arms of hel
:" daughter. The two ladies left ths
room, and for hours Tom could hca,
- their bitter sobs IN an adjoining
y apartment. When copious floods o
% tears had alienated their grief, til,
y young lady re entered the room, be
. eyes red with weeping, and will
~ tear stained cheeks, she approache,
~ Tom, and said, between her sobs
70 I"Both my mother and myself desir
to know your name, that we may al
- ways hold it in kind remembrance
lie for your friendship and devotion Il
Of our dear, devoted George" aMiss,'
&c said Tom, 81 only done what was nc
Il quired Of me as friend, soldie
: and gentleman. / am Maj. Ochil
III tree, of the Confederate army
re The young lady stepped back ar
es responded with amazement, "Wt !,
80 she cried, "are You Tom Oe' .! o. : ~ !, J
- aMaior Tom OchiItree. ECeof