Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-11-03
MONTGOMERY BLAIR

home last evening, and it is to be hoped that
the bitter lesson of the girl will last her life
| time.
MONTGOMERY BLAIR
4 Swrvtvor of Lincoln's Cabinet at Home.
Washington Republic.]
The people of Washington will remember
the threatening days in July, 1864, when the
city was defenceless and large force of
rebels under Early and Breckenridge was
not ten miles distant from the capital. No
one denies now that the army could have
marched in unimpeded. The sixth corps of
the army of the Potomac was en- route to
defend the city, but it was not quick enough.
The rebel army was halted at Silver Springs,
the country residence of the elder Blair, and
also of Montgomery Blair. Upon the ap-
proach OF the army the families of both fled
to Washington. The rebel officers sought
the houses and found in the cellar of Frank
P. Blair's house a barrel of whisky. This
did the business. Nearly every officer be-
came drunk on this whisky, and many of
the men were in like condition. Such an
orgis was never known. The dresses of the
ladies were taken possession of, and in them
the officers masqueraded and held jollifi-
cation the whole night long, falling into a
drunken slumber in the morning and unable
to do any duty whatever. Early and Breck-
enridge, riding up in the morning, saw the
situation and merely said: "It is too late;"
and Washington was not taken possession
of. With what joy did the officers of the
government receive the gallant Sixth corps
as it marched through the city that morning.
| The rebels were soon in retreat, and thus a
barrel of whisky saved great city. There
is no doubt of this story, for Mr. Montgom-
cry Blair himself confirms it.
Judge Blair is now 81 years old, and his
life has been very active one. Fortune has
not particularly favored him, as he is forced
| to continue in the practice of law. Although
| hs is still as hale and hearty as man of SO,
it is yet matter of regret to him that he
can not turn his attention to literary work
which he has had in mind for many years
When Gen. jackson died he left to Frank P.
Blair Montgomery father) all his manu-
scripts. letters, and documents, for the pur-
pose of preparing "life.'' Being unable to
obtain the papers for many years, the elder
Blair was unable to do the work. and when
be died he gave all the papers, filling six big
trunks, to his son Montgomery. The latter
now has these valuable relics, together with
all the very interesting papers of the elder
|
for want of time, as he cannot afford to leave
his law practice. He says the records and
papers are of the greatest interest. They
could not be otherwise.
The great central idea of the Blairs has
been love for the union. This has overtop-
ped all other considerations. It began be-
fore the year 1880 and has lasted through
all the national changes. They were all
siave-owners, and yet for four generations
they have been anti slavery in principle.
They always taught their slnves to read and
write, and never sold them. Some of the
former slaves are yet with Judge Blair on
monthly wages.
Judge Blair's house in this city is on Penn
sylvania avenue, near Seventeenth street. It
is large, square structure, four stories high,
of brick, with succeed front and outside
blinds. The steps are Of granite, and every
thing about the building Is of a solid, sub
stantial character. The adjoining house on
the west was the city residence of the elder
Blair. The whole square of ground was
originally owned by the elder Blair.
and what was fifty years ago his flow
or and vegetable garden is now covered with
handsome buildings, including the Corcoran
Art building. The country seat of Judge
Blair is one of the most delightful of the
many lovely places in the vicinity of Wash
ington. falkland adioins "Silver
| Spring." the beautiful country place of the
elder Blair. The house, large and
| picturesque in its surroundings, is built of
| brick, and is situated on an eminence sur
rounded by rare trees, plants, and flowers,
and the grounds are laid off in walks, drives,
and lawns-all very fresh and inviting.
| There are about six hundred acres in the
farm, but the place is too beautiful to be
profitable. 1t is celebrated for its fine cat
tie, and Judge Blair's farmer sells about one
hundred gallons of milk daily.
The habits of Judge Blair are of the SIM
plest character, and no man ia freer from af-
| lection. He never obtrudes his opinions,
and he is quite as likely to discuss your
opinions as to present his own. His manner
is very kindly, but wholly undemonstrative,
| and one cannot be in his presence with
out respecting the man and believing in his
oonscientiousness and integrity. In personal
| appearance he is tall and thin. His head ia
| large above his ears, his face is thin and
closely shaven, and his hair, light as to
quantity, is somewhat sandy. He dresses
plainly, but even in his appearance he shows
consists of his wife IA daughter of Judge
Levi Woodburn, of New Hampshire,) and
| four children, three sons and an unmarried
daughter. The eldest son, Woodbury., is a
lawyer, and great fevorite in society, and
the younger sons are law students. Judge
Blair has no brother living, and bus one sis
ter, the wife of Admiral Lee.
Eastern and European Markets.
LONDON, Nov. Us I'm.
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Money ........... 90 1I-16 Account ......,...
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