The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1879-03-27
THE ATLANTA TRAGEDY.
Traits of Character of Col. "Bob" Alctcn.
Henry W. Grady in the atlanta Constitution.

Traits OF Character of Col. "Bob" Alctcn.
Henry W. Grady in the Atlanta Constitution.
It is my opinion that in the death of
"Bob" Alston the State of Georgia lost
one of her most useful sons. He was
just emerging from his boyhood when he
died. He had hardly entered upon his
real and earnest life. He carried the
freshness and the impulses of his teens
into his forty years. He was just throw
ing these off. And those splendid ener-
gies-that marvellous information-that
active brain-that buoyant force-what
could they not have accomplished when
ballasted with the wisdom and expert
ence of fifty years? In the Legislature
he had already gone to the front rank,
and as fast as the vein of earnestness and
sagacity was discovered beneath the ap-
parent lightness his leadership was being
confirmed. He would have gone out OF
the present House very nearly its fore
most man if Re had lived. His real
career was just opening, and the man in
him was Just asserting itself over those
charming and boyish traits which, win
some as they were, could not enforce q
genuine leadership. Just recovered from
his financial troubles, he would have been
more than independent in few months.
1t is hard that, just as his hand was out
stretched to pluck the tedious fruitage of
a lifetime, it should be palsied with death.
Truly, Gods ways are inscrutable!
Aston was the most generous man that
ever knew. 1 have seen him literally
give away his last dollar. Never in my
life did l see him refuse help to any ap-
plicant, if he had aught to give. He
gave lavishly, heartily and without n
question. He has spent several snug
fortunes since 1872. At one stroke he
made s9,S00; at another, 1000, and
at another $4,000. He spent wonder
fully little money on himself. Hc de-
MED himself even the comforts of life
that he might give to others. | never
shall forget how my eyes filled with tears
and laughter at the same time, when !
saw him at the Governors inaugural ball
with trousers that had had great holes in
them, and remembered that two days be-
fore hejhad given to noble purpose ten
times the amount needed for q new pair.
l have seen him spend the day without
q mouthful of dinner, and the next day
make $50 and give $40 of it away. OF
the S'l5, 900 that he received short time
ago, I am sure he gave away nearly
5000, and in two weeks he had not
cent left. He showed me list Of his
expenditures, and there he had given to
friend and enemy alike, to all who had
asked, as long as he had dollar. There
was no ostentation about this. He rather
kept it hidden that he might escape the
seedlings of his moro worldly-uise
friends.
He was true to his friends to the last
degree. He never failed to help them
when chance offered, and never deserted
them when they were in trouble. Iowa
BILE, sympathetic and frank, he was won
derfully magnetic. Every man who
worked on the old Herald with him loved
him. On yesterday dispatches we're re.
ceived from them all over the State, and
to-day a half 8 hundred Of them will be
in Decatur to see him buried. Moore
comes from Augusta, Winter from Ma
con, Burney from Albany, and two score
from Atlanta. Those men who knew
him best loved him most.
His love for his wife was marvellous in
it. freshness and strength. 1t was the
passion of his life. To the very last he
was her lover. The last letter lie ever
wrote was addressed to her as if he was
suing for her hand in marriage, and he
says: ~ shall be in Atlanta on Saturday
for my answer" The morning that he
left her he kissed her at the door. She
followed him to the steps and there
stopped. "Whatl no further than the
steps. with me3" he said. And, laugh
ingly went with him to the gate. And
the poor woman spoke the secret of her
heart and the glory of her life when she
rubbed his chilled hands and said: "Oh |!
my poor lover; my precious lover.
Speak to me-look at mel" She Was all
to him-and nobly did she fill his life
with her sweet and loyal love May
God in his infinite gentlenesa bathe her
heart with mercy
Al.ton WAS child-like in his faith. He
had absolute trust in prayer. doubt if
he ever closed his eyes at night without
going on his knees. He prayed all the
time and in all places. have seen him
down on his knees in our old editorial
room and pray aloud for help and guild
ance. And the first impulse that fol-
lowed this prayer he would follow blind
ly and to the end. At heart he was pro-
foundly religious, and his beliefs were
old-fashioned on all religious matters.
He used to upbraid me for working on
Sunday in TIE severest terms. That he
sometimes sinned himself was due to the
peculiar impulsiveness of his nature.
His life thou gh was singularly free from
vices. I know Of few men who were
cleaner in their habits. His life was a
struggle, in which a great religious heart
tried to coral myriad of impulses. 1t
is not for me to Judge him. l know none
of the secrets Of the future, but | do
know that if there is mercy in God He
will not turn away from this silent heart,
that in all its SORROWS and triumphs went
up to Him in an impulse of praise or
supplication. If ever man walked rev.
erntly in the shadow of His footstool my
poor friend did.
I might write forever about him.
About his home-life, so soft and loving
and gentle about the kindness with
which he placed his arm about me when
I came to this city friendless youngster
about the charming surprises that his
life developed day after day-about the
half.sad, halftender talks we used Ia
have about his life and the hopes and
loves he had centered on his children
about his wonderful adventures and ex-
ploits, so full Of that bright audacity that
sat him so well
But the public has nothing to do with
this. To-day we bury him-to-morrow
we shrine his memory in our hearts and
turn our faces to the future. Tears arc
idle, and no cry can bring back that
bright presence and that winsome face
Nothing can light those darkened eyes
nothing thrill that coffined heart-noth'
ing quicken that tired brain-nothing
/.