The Russellville Democrat., 1881-03-24
Gen. Jackson and His Wife.
Lippincott's Magazine.

One of those to whom it is fascina- ton to listen has recently given us book full of memories which he calls "0ld Times in Tennessee" But greater treat than reading it is to hear the author tell how he saw General Jackson scare and put to flight twenty thousand men," It was on Cloyer-bottom race-course. The narrator, than very small boy, was stationed on ceder fence. The betting was very fierce. Horses and negroes as well as money were put up, large pound being filled with the live stock. Murmurs arose that it was to be jockey race; that Greyhound" one of the fam ous racers, had been seen the night be- fore in wheat field, and his rider was to receive $500 to throw him off In the height of the excitement General Jack son appeared, riding gray horse and carrying long pistol in each hand. think they were as long as my arm, with muzzles that ground squirrel could en- ter He swore by the eterner he would shoot the first man who brought his horse on the track-that the people money shouldnot be stolen in this man. ner He talked necessarily, while the spittle rolled from his mouth and the fire flashed from his eyes. I have seen bears and wolves at bay, but he was the most ferocious looking animal l have ever seen. His appearance and manner struck terror into the hearts of 10000 people. If they all felt as l did, every one ex- pected to be slain"
 The end of it was that there was great rush to the pound to get back the money staked, and the boy on the fence was overturned and nearly trampled to death. But he still lives, possibly the only sur vivor of that great crowd. He gives the most vivid idea of "Old Hickory's" per sonalty. When Lafayette visited Nash vile in 1921, and Jackson greeted him in the public square, approaching the carriage with peacock stride" the eyes of all were attracted to their own hero rather than to their distinguished guest. A hundred voices exclaimed, "Just look at Old Jacksonm There was something in his face, his martial presence, that enchanted the public gaze whenever he appeared.
 Of course, amid so much talk of Gen eral Jackson, the lady to whom he gave the protection of hls name and honor comes in for her share. Many sly little anecdOte about her has been pre- served. One lady tells that the last time her mother saw Mrs. Jackson the latter remarked, by way of accounting for a cold under which she suffered, "The gin- eral kicked the kiyer off last night"
 One of her negro women came to her in q good deal oftrouble because she had just been told that the world was round and she had always thought it flat! "Neyer mind, aunty," said kind Miss Rachel don't you be distarbed. l think it is flat myself and honey"-so she often called the General-"honey thinks so too"
 But her veriest detractors find nothing to say against her looks or character. "She was beastly ignorant" said one fine old gentleman, "and Jackson married her, not from love, but from an impulse of chirdlry, to fling his protection around her; but she was perfectly beautiful, and as fine and good woman as ever lived"
 But he did love her. They tell that the hermitage, which stands rather odd ly just back of an elevation of the ground instead of on it's brow, was so placed be- cause Mrs. Jackson walking one after noon with the General, stopped just there and said it would be the right place for the new house, as it was only short distance from the spring where they went for water. The General struck the ground with his staff and said there should the foundations be laid. And there they were laid, in spite of expos tulation.