Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1880-04-15
~AMALED1eTIoF FULFu.LRD,.

In the CONAN OF 0C0O0 the use OF
verified malediction is favorite artifce
OF dramatic effect. Upon the stage
that scene of simulated passion, we find
it used with impressive influence. In
the realm of the real, history recalls nc
well-authenticated instance of realized
curse. The following is q literal case
that occurred during the War under the
personal knowledge of the writer, and
has been the theme Of much speculation
Whether it was mere coincident, hap
pening without real connection, OF
whether it was one of those mysterious
matters Of inexplicable romance that
break the current of prosaic fact, must
ever remain an unsolved problem.
voach for the details. The reader must
exercise his own Judgment upon them
OLD AUNT RACHEL STONE.
The incident began in the early part
of 1868. The writer commanded the
Fourth Regiment of Georgia Cavalry.
Most of the members of this regiment
came from Whitfield and the adjoining
counties in the northern part of the
State of Georgia. Among the soldiers
was youth named Stone, who enlisted
in the company raised in Murray County
by Captain Reuben Keith. The mother
of young Stone was very notable
character She was called Old Aunt
Rachel Stone. Her husband was dead,
and she was still a widow, supporting
her family on small farm. She was a
woman of marked and peculiar appear
ance, q very large, erect, masculine
creature, with the frame, muscles and
stride of man. She was over six feet
high, broad-shouldered, massive, sinewy,
of immense physical vigor and strength,
performing manual labor on her
farm with the power and readi-
ness of a man, blowing, split
ting rails, and such other work
requiring force and endurance. She had
a face, clear, open, decided, of remark
ably positive expression, a large, bright
blue eye of piercing penetration, a nose
of character, broad ,thin-lipped mouth,
firm set, conformation OF jaw full of
will and power, a broad, high brow,
and an unkempt blonde hair. that was
often hanging down loosely on her
shoulders, and which, when so flutter-
ing around her expressive Countenance
and heavy frame gave an effective indi-
viduality to her appearance. The most
impressive thing at least about her was
her manner of talking. She had clear,
deep voice, and an oracular way of ut
tering her words that was singularly
forcible. She spoke with elaboration,
a precision, a measured emphasis and a
ringing earnestness that always held the
attention. She was naturally oratorical
in her manner and utterances. A pub
lie speaker might have learned some
thing from her. She expressed herself
with unusual directness and sort of
dramatic flavor that lost nothing from
the fact that it was couched in rude
words and an uncultured idiom. There
was always, also, an originality in her
opinions and expressions that interested
a nearer. Her mind was bold and indie
pendent, though uneducated, and her
intelligence strong and picturesque,
though unframed. s...s .. az
She took her teddy at times, and
even exceeded prudent ration of spir-
its ON extra occasions. But there was
never any thing against her chastity,
and she prided herself very much upon
her unb)emished character. Said she
once to the writer in her peculiar man.
ner, with an added ring in her earnest
voice, and dwelling with her oracular
emphasis upon each distinct syllable:
ssMebbe you think am drab. But
/ amt! | am an honest woman. I am
one of Jeff Davis's daughters
She prided herself very much upon
being good, worthy subject of the
Confederacy, which she habitually epit-
omized under the name of sJeff Davis"
Take her all in all, with her strong
sense, her original intelligence, her de-
cisiye methods, her keen penetr alton,
her impressive expressions, her shrewd
observation of public matters and her
rough, but picturesque, individuality,
and she was a very remarkable charac-
ter, and to me study of considerable
interest.
CAPTAIN REUBEN KEITH.
The other leading character in this
uncommon and tragical affair was Cap
tain Reuben Keith, one of the best Off
GERS in my regiment. He was well-to-
do, well educated farmer of Murray
County. aged somewhere between thirty
five and forty, a man of high character
and standing He was conservative,
straightforward, practical citizen and
soldier, universally respected, his just,
deliberate, decided methods carrying
great weight and influence. His APP
pcarance was an index of the man. He
"dO q So0u1s VOL -PLoPoA SAoIiOA1 oeAAN
looking gentleman, erect and solid, with
fine open face full of intelligence and
will, and good temper. He looked the
Anglo-Saxon all over with his fair skin,
his rudy color, light hair and fine blue
eyes. so clear and direct in their gaze.
He had an unusually well-balanced
Judgment. and WINS noted for his truth
and integrity. He had the quality of
reliability to an uncommon degree. He
was brave and skillful officer and an
excellent disciplinarian. His command
was thoroughly within his grasp. His
final destiny was a puzzling and illogical
sequence Of his character and career.
II violated every antecedent and expe-
rienee Of the man, and, connected as it
was and interviewer with the little Incl
dent / shall narrate, in which old
Rachel Stone figured so dramatically, it
has bafiled philosophical consideration.
THE WRONG.
My regiment was encamped near
Winchester, Tennessee. Mrs. Stone
4 So