The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1881-09-30
Twenty Years Ago.
Judge Kelly in Boise Statesmen.


In March, 1851, the writer was vis-
iting seme friends In the bijou city Of the
South-Lexington, KY. Here IL where the
sangre dzul of American aristocracy Is -
zealously guarded, so far IS matrimonial al
liances are concerned, as the blood OF the
races of which this colossal park is the era
die. A mile out of town lived Henry Clay,
the Great Commoner Of America and when
he died, some ten years prior to the event We
are about to narrate, his youngest son, John,
now man Of sixty years past, took up the
magic strains Of blood that gave the racing
world Daniel Boone and Lode.
The old Phoenix Hstel, kept BY "Uncle
Johnny" Chiles, was a model of resort
house for the better class of farmers. Its
massive oaken tables literally groaned under
the huge barons Of beef and rare saddles Of
mutton; and, best Of all, was the cordial
welcome which the generous old Landlord
and his amiable daughters vouchsafsd 70 all
strangers who sought their hospitable roof.
| The writer had walked down 10 the post
Office on the day in question, In company
with an aged man who had been the familiar
friend of the "Mill Boy OF the Slushes" dur
ing his life-no less pelson than Gen. Les
lie Coombs. A man Of gigantic stature, he
was link between the present era and the
Revolution. On his kindly features the Gre
ator had set the impress Of true nobility
the aristocracy of intellect. He had the war
like head of Winfeld Scott, but he was =
nobler man, for he was not cheat at cards
nor bully when detected in it.
We were just about to leave the old Gen.
eral when a younger man, in the prime Of
life, met him and passed the time Of day.
He was . strangely handsome man, with
features wolthy of Roman triumvir, and q
figure of matchless grace. To head Of hair
black as the ravens wing he added an eye
that searched you through As though you
wore your soul in your face.
"John," began the old gentleman, sis 1t
true that you intend, after all the hOnora
that your county has heaped upon you, to
desert hsr. in her hour OF need, aud cast your
fortunes with this inexcusable rebellion P'
ayes, General. The Moth has rejected
all offers Of compromise, and am South
ern man. All my hopes are now with the
Southern Confederacy."
al am sorry for you, then, john" said Il I
grand old mau, in lone that spoke more
pity than resent ment, "for thought you {
better scholar. You have read our history
in vain, SIR. You should have taken warn
ing by the melancholy example Of Asrof
Burr" ...... . .s' ..- 81.
The soldier, advocate, orator and patric
who uttered these words died last week, ant
was buried with honors such Is have seldom
fallen to the lot of King. No man wa
ever more beloved. Eiehty-seven years spen
In The service Of his country and not an hou
against her veal. Not rich In this world
goods, he has bequeathed 10 his many de
scendants the dearest aud noblest heritag
Of allan untarnished name. -
! "In toll he lived,
In peace he died,
When Life's full circle was complete:
Il Cast off the robes
Il OF earth's low pride
To lay them at the Masters feet"
And the other man, what Of him? ii
died six years ago, afier having fought brave
ly in . bad cause. His former friends seer
to have dropped him from the tablets Of thei
memory. and he died poor and obscure, afte
having been the most prominent man i
America of his years. For personal mas
nstism none could be his superior, and tha
/ his light was hiden under web woven b
} his own hands was his fault alone. Let th
youth Of the South pity his memory An
avoid his example, for the name of that ma
was John G. Breckenridge. =,...