Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1880-06-03
WAR "REMINISCENCES.
The Life and Death of a Most Re-
markable Character. A True Sto.
ry Which is Stranger Than Fic-
ton.

Howell Rose lived and died
near Wetumpka, Alabama. If
you wish a thrilling and we'll
told detail Of the personal char
acteristics of this most remark
able man, call on the present
member from that district in
congress. Howell Rose was un-
educated, but nature to him
was exceeding lavish in mental
and moral gifts. Before the
war, and to the day of his death
shortly after the war, he was an
Old Line Wing, and opposed Sc
cession with that bitterness and
determination which made HIM
very unpopular with his neigh
bors during that eventful period.
He was a member of the legisla-
ture of his State several years be-
fore the war;and, though a marri-
ed man, was without children.
He was, nevertheless, the father
of a short speech which has been
attributed to quite variety of
paternity. At one time, while
a legislator, he opposed what he
conceived to be an untimely ad-
journment, and was twitted by
a brother member with the sng-
gestion that he had no children
at home to trot upon his knee,
and hence found no destinations
there equal to those which Mont
gomery offered. at is true, "
he replied, "that no babies await
me at home. My friend has
a numerous progeny; but why
should he twit me in respect of
that wherein the jackass even
is his equal and the billy goat
his great superior"
His independence Of charac-
ter was known far ard near. LII
the early months of 1861, after
the secession of Alabama--a
measure which he opposed with
all the energy Of truly heroic
characterize was called upon
| by some Of the soldiers for a
contribution to equip compa-
ny.
"To the devil with you and
your internal company, too" re-
piled the Old man; eff you will
start a subscription to buy ev-
cry devil Of you secessionists a
shroud and a coffin, | will give
you every dollar l can raise" :
OF course these views kept
him, during the war, in hot-wa-
ter with his neighbors; yet,
though growing old and infirm,
he fought his battles bravely
and all alone.
But Notwithstanding his I'm
ion sentiments, he became at
last the victim of one of the
most diaboIical outrages on the
part of some Federal soldiers
ever perpetratcd. Being exces'
sively economical, and very
wealthy, he had laid away quite
a little fortune--50,000 or $780,.
, 000-which he had converted
into gold and silver. In tht
: imagination Of those who knew
. him, this amount grew to fabe'
Ious proportions, and became
r known to the Federal soldiers
six of whom, Immediately aftel
: the close of the war, passed
through his neighborhood, ant
!. their cupidity being excited be
e yond control, they determined
! to .bnlldoze the old gentleman
h into liberal shellout for thei
benefit. They were oil thei
way north across the country
and one day in the early sprins
of 1866, called at Mr.. Roses
told him they knew of the a
J. mount of money he had hid a
IS way somewhere, and were de
s termined to have it, or his lif'
would pay the forfeit. R
. q "Youinfernal towards, ,thieye
+ and robbers" roared the indig
e; giant Rose, "you are right
d have money and deal of it,
e am the only person on cart
! who knows where that none.
d is. / have but a few years Ion
<, ger to live at most, and / viii
E & see you every one in h-ll be
IS fore you shall have a copper ol
d it." 1
d awe shall sec" retorted TN
d leader of the robber band.
, In front of Mr.. Roses resi-
r dence was a great oak, wit
spreading branches. Procurln,
IS rope, they dragged him iror
, his room, and making one ell
J. of the rope fast about his necf
os threw the other over one OF th
n limbs of the tree and hauled hir
is up. After his face grew blac
Q and blue, and his fingers bega
J to twitch, they let him down.
"Will you tell us where t
find the gold and silvcr?' aske
the ringleaGer.
"Neverl necerP T" shouted th
victim, defantly. Il will di
and go to h---ll before you sha
ever know it. You may tax
my life. but shall be none III