The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-08-31
THE LATE BAILLIE PEYr0M
seme Personal Reminiscences-An Occasion on
which re Laid Down Ills Hand.

To THE EDITOR OF THE SUN-iSir. IL was
not without emotion that l read in THE Sun the
announcement OF the Hon. Baillie Peytons
death. 1 had the honor Of an intimate acquaint-
ance with him some years ago. and always
found him one Of the most generous and genial
men whom it has been my fortune to meet.
I remember on one occasion that I got on
board steamboat at Lake Providence. La. It
was loaded with cattle. The only passengers
were plain Western men who owned the stock.
! found half score Of them in the social hall
playing bluff" for small stakes. and. after
n while. Joined them. During the night Col.
Pcyton came on board at Vlcksburg. The
next morning when we resumed our lNamc
noticed him lowering around the table. occa-
sionully casting IN uquisitive glnnce at me.
He did not rccOgniz" me. for | had been
riding In the swamp. and my attire was fully as
rough Ms that OF the men around me; Alter
n while something called me temporarily away
from the card table and on my return found
tho Colonel scented. enjoying the game ns henrt-
iy MS tho rest. and amusing his companions
with sallics Of wit and humor. The plny was
Tor very small stakes but occasionally Pcyton
would go Ten dollars better" which had the
invarlnble effect Of blu1lng or the other play
srT presn dysr very cc strong hana fell % me-
see and twenty better" replied Fly bot
terri That and a hundredr' said l. Tho
my hand was the best hut did not really wish
him 10 call II. He threw down his hand. and we
all uulOnfneu u the mar.
The .next day was walking across Canal
street In New Orleans when | met Peyton with
poor. unfortunate Rice Garland. then Judge
Of the supreme Court, They both sqluted me.
Garland asking when had arrived In the city.
replied that had come down on cattle bout
which arrived that morning. BY Jove. |
thought So" exclaimed Peyton. Now. Mr. b..
plense tell me what you really had In that
hand?
"a king full. Colonel" said I.
60 BY Jovcl lucky cscnpe; had n great no.
not have done IT, though -
acknowledged that had had pretty large
sum with me.
Col. Peyton was nowery speaker. and on
one occasion when arguing a case before the
Supreme Court Of Louisiana he INDUCED In
poetical quotation. Chief Justice L. y. Martin.
Vat Is dat you say. Menstcr peyton?" The
Judge sometimes spoke English indinerently.
The Colonel. with much dignity. repeated the
:" Ali all dat will do. II is only poetry ]
thought II was some new law"
Everybody knew Judge Martins cynicism,
and PcytOn enjoyed the laugh against himself
as much rs anybody.
The last time met Peyton was ut private
card party in Washington City. during the late
civil war. Although ranked among the " fire.
eaters in his day. he was cminently u peace
maker. During the evening some misunder-
Standing arose between Gen. james ;. Jackson
of Kentucky, who a few years later was Killed
while calamity fighting for the Union nj Perry
villc and another member Of the party. jack
son was excited. and u dangerous alteration
" Stopi General said peyton in a calm. COM
maudinR tone. you are wrong; you misundcr-
stood Mr.. IS remark"
" There was questioning the decision Of
such man. and Jackson frankly yielded to nm
explanation which prevented a serious DIM
Guilty between two old friends.
Peyton has gonel Greater men, perhaps.
true hearted. loyal. and honorable gentleman
HoBoKEN. Aug. rs. Is.