The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1877-05-31
AUSTIN
Personal.

Gen. Grant was the guest Of Thomas
Mast at Morristown, n. J.
Prominent Virginians who called
upon President Hayes last week told
him that the folks wanted to see him
down in Richmond and Petersberg.
The President said he couldn't get of
till after the extra session, but he
shouid try TO accept the invitation then,
and perhaps extend his trip further
South.
Miss Mildred Lee, daughter Of the
late Gen. X. L. Lee, is on visit to
New Orleans, and was serenaded n few
evenings since by the battalion OF
Washington Artillery. She was also
presented with bouquet Of flowers,
and the PicdyuHe says: 'MIss Lee,
in eloquent terms, returned her thanks
to the battalion"
The will of the late Rowland II.
Macy, the well-known New York mer
chant OF Sixth Avenue, was offered for
probate last week. The estate, valued
at $500, 900, is left in equal parts to
the testator's wife and daughter. The
following clause appears in the will :
81 am grieved to say In this SOLEMN
manner that my experience has been
such with my son, Rowland II. Macy,
IT., that j cannot entrust him with the
care or management Of my property.
He has never succeeded in supporting
himself. On the contrary, though he
is now twenty-nine years Of age, he
has been entirely supported and main.
Il al an L
done everything in my power to
aid him in establishing habits Of tenn
perance and sobrlety, yet l am com
PEELED to acknowledge the failure OF
every effort made 10y me and others tC
that end, His passion for strong drink
has not hitherto been controlled by
him. In view Of these facts l have
deemed it wise to make the following
provision for his support and mainte
nance during his natural life: l direct
that my executresses, or their surylv-
ors or SUCCESSORS, do, as soon after my
decease as conveniently may be, inves
in United States government bonds 1
sum, the annual income of which shall
amount to $1,000, unless he contests
this will or undertakes to defeat it
provisions. II the son contests TIL
will it is directed that he shall have NJ
part or portion of the estate. On tn
death of the son, or in case he contest
the will, the sun invested for him i
to 90 to the testator's wife and daugh
ter, share and share alike.
The ups and downs of the negro min
strel life are well illustrated in the ca
reer OF William w. Newcomb, tn
original "Essence of Old Virginia,
who died in New York on Tuesday
Born at Utica, New York, in 1924, b
lost his parents when only five year
old, and ran away from the doctor VIII
adopted bim to join a circus. Afto
two years of this life, he drifted int
minstrelsy, and about thirty year
ago began to gain a reputation IN New
York. A few years later he helpe
to organize Rumsey & Newcomb's Mir
strels, which soon became one of tn
best troupes ever known in this com
try, and in 1861 they went to Cub
and afterwards to England, and ha
great success, Newcomb realizing $40,
900 in few weeks. Later he wen
into partnership with Eph Horn
III IN
was worth about 800, 1000 when h
took to specializing in New York ant
lost every cent. In 1870 his wife died
his health began to break down, an
he soon found it hard work to earn
bare living in the business which la
yielded him hundreds OF dollars
week in his prosperity. Last fall h
went penniless to New York hotel b
had often patronized, and the llInC
hearted landlord told him to stay III
tll times got better. Toward the en-
of the winter he succeeded in gettin
an engagement, but within three week
he broke his leg on the stage, and ha
TO take to his bed. Some old friend
who had just learned of his misfor
tunes were taking steps for his relic
when he died, suddenly and alone, {
heart disease, to be buried by charity
The old lights of the profession" al
now nearly all extinguished-NoN
comb, Eph Horn, Dan Bryant, Bisho
Buckley, George Chrsty and the res
and Newcomb's career was not rar
one in its sad ending.