The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1877-05-28
acknowledgement



Whilst engaged in coal and salt mining,
my father spent years in travelling
through the wilds Of Virginia and Ken
lucky, much Of the country he traversed
being still primeyal forest, inhabited by
lawleSs and uncouth people, destitute
Of civilized arts, and often living like
sayages. Unbounded hospitality and a
rude code Of honor, which includes pro-
lection Of the stranger within their gates
are characteristic Of these people. Papa
always came home once or twice year,
sometimes staying months at time;
again, be would come like II bird on the
wing, and leave as Unexpectedly as he
came. lie always entertained the home
circle greatly alter these expeditions,
with descriptions Of the people among
whom he had been sojourning. lie usu'
ally managed to establish his head.Quar.
ters with some rich coal or cattle man,
whose mansion was the solitary abode OF
culture and refinement, shedding light
over vast region OF Ignorance
and degradation, going thence on
short trips Of few weeks or
days and returning for rest and refresh.
inent to the family, who were sure to ex-
tend u hearty welcome to any stranger Of
good mannerS and agreeable CONVERSE
ton. Most counties in southwestern
Virginia afford one or two such families.
The head man usually goes to Congress
or at least to the Legislature. He ia ar
oracle with his neighbors, and rGturna
from his annual attendance ut the coun.
ella OF the nation well pleased to find
himself the center Of attraction to the
rustics around him. His new broad
cloth and comparatively polished man.
ncrs make him the toast among the wo-
men Of his native hills, while the men
look up to him with admiration not un-
mixed with envy, quote his opinions on
all occasions, and refer all disputed
questions to his decision. Fully appre.
ciating his Importance, the great man &c.
quires suitable dignity Of department,
Is sure to refer frequently in converse.
ton to his distinguished acquaintance;
minglCs Latin words and parliamentary
phrases Unfortunately with the oath5
and cattle talk Of his provincial dialect,
and is truly patriarchNl in the benevo.
lenco with which lie regards his neigh
bors and constituents, few OF whom can
read.
The place papa most enjoyed in hi:
rambliugs in the wilderness was the res
idence OF the Floyd5 in Tuzwell county
where the mother OF Gen. John B. FlOyC
presided in qucenly style over n large
establishment consisting of her numerous
descendants, slaves and retainers, all o
whom regarded her with devotion. The
family boosted Of Indian ancestors, anC
were people Of indomitable will, fine
talents and much culture. In faith they
were all Catholics. Nv father greatly
admired old Mira. Floyd, and often re.
peated at home her conversations, which
were replete with the wisdom gathered
from long experience oil books and men,
coupled with shrewd observation. "a
woman's love" she would say, us as i'm.
mortal as her soul" The family were
all wont to express themselves in vigor.
Gus language. Without taking part
papa once listened to conversa'
ton between John i. Floyd and
his brother George, talented
eccentric, lucklcss nc'cr.do well. George
Floyd had spent thousands, as he
would have spent millions had it been in
his power, on all sorts Of wild schemes
and was then intent upon an impractical
Bile plan for rafting lumber down the Big
Sandy river. John Floyd vainly repre-.
sentcd TO his enthusiastic brother the I'M
possibility OF carrying out such m at
tempt. George refused to listen to argu
mcnt, and accused his brother OF always
lhwarting him at. every turn, adding
doggedly that he could not sec why thi,
scheme should not succeed to perfection
Weary Of trying to convince such an un'
reasoning man, John Floyd exclaimed
indignantly, ut will not succeed, George
because it would take all the gold Of Cal
iioruia, with hell to melt il, to carry i
out" Perhaps experience with this un
practical son had led Mrs. Floyd 10 thu
conclusion che always expressed tina
che had rather her daughter should mar
ry u di'sipa;ed man than ioolw