The Dallas weekly herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1885, 1881-01-13
THE DEATH OF JEFFERSON.
An Interesting Incident Related by
the Hon. Alexander N. II. stnart.
st. Louis Rennblisan


The Hon. Alexander H. Ii. Stuart, of Vir
ginia, has written an interesting letter giyinl
an account of the celebration in ktsunton
Va, of tho fftieth anniversary of the Daclsr
alton of Independence. He says:
"Among the guests who assembled at The
celebration held ut the Eagle tavern on tn,
fourth of July, 1928, were most of the promi
nent men of the town and county. | we'll re
member that Daniel Shelly, Chapman John
son, Briscoe G. Bsldvis, Thomas j. Niche,
William Kinney, N. Q. Kinney, and othel
citizens of tho town were Of the number
and, think, Gen. Robert Porterfeld, james
Bell, Charles A. Stuart and others of Tie
same class from the country were present
The occasion was marked with hilsrity. The
speeches were brief, spirited and sprropri
ate. Anecdotes were told. There were bril-.
liant flashes OF wit and fancy, and all we're il
good humor and seemed TO enjoy themselves
In this way the day wss passed until
nearly shutdown, and the company were
preparing 10 separate With mutual felici-
istiOns on the pleasure which they
had enjoyed. and the expression of hope
that they might meet to commemcrate
many r, turns of the suspicious day. Al
this stage Of ihs proceedings some one came
on 10 tue porch. end In = low tone commu-
nicg,ed to Mr. Chapman johnson something
which seemed to make deep impression on
him. y, who vas then youth r-crarire
mysolf 20 entar the university, sat, with a
few ether young companions, noar the foot
of the table, and being on she opposite side
from Mr.. johnson. had full view Of his
hce, and although 1 did net know the nature
of the communication, could not fail 10 Oh
serve the grave expression OF his counienspce.
"The mystery was soon solved. Mr.. Johr-
son arose, and in fitting terms announced 70
the company that newI had just reached him
of The death, near noon thst day, Of Thomas
Joflorssn. After few remaIks on the life,
character and public services Of Mr.. Jefler-
soa, Mr.. johnson requested all present TO Gil
their glasses, IS be desired 20 offer a sent-
ment. This was done. He then desired that
the compsny would rice ard remsin stand
ing. While we thus stood, deeply impressed
with the solemnity Of the event which had
been thus Unexpectedly announced, Mr..
JOHNSON offered tina following sentimobi.
1.-THE memory Of Thomas Jefferson,
author Of The declaration Of independesoe I
Though the mortal nan may never
witness another celebration Of the day
which his pen has 60 much illustrated, his
immortal spirit viii be present and inspire
the LIST anihsm which hallows its memory
The sentiment vazpursly impromptr. BE did
not take time 10 commit It 10 paper. lie e 20
It 10 ne As II came gushing up like livirg
waters from the fountain Of bis great hesrt,
and it found Response IN the heart Of every
one Who was present, As for myself, every
word that be uttered became as il were, en-
CROSSED on the tablets Of my memory, srd
after the iapse of more than ffty-f5ur years,
feel that am able 20 report Mr. Johnson's
toast not only with substantial, but with
literal accuracy"