San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1882-08-31
BENHILL'SFIRST SPEECH,
"Reminiscences Of the Georgia Senator's poyhoOd.
Atlanta (Ga.) Constitution.

A "Reminiscences Of the Georgia Senator's poyhood.
Atlanta (da.) Constitution.
FLovELAoE, TRoUP COUNTY, Ga,
August 12,-"Yes, this is historic ground
upon which these people have assem-
bled, said an old and prominent citi-
zen OF this county, to me to-day at the
annual celebration of Pleasant Grove
Sunday School. II was present at this
same place about thirty five years ago,
and heard Ben Hill deliver his first
public address after leaving college. A
singing. school was being taught at this
place at the time, and he came up here
from Long Cane with party of young
ladies, and though he was called upon
unexpectedly to himself, he delivered
the finest address / ever listened to-"
"You knew Mr.. Hill then in early
life. Tell me something of his young
days"
BEN HILLS BoYHooD.
ayes, have known Mr.. Hill ever
since he first came to this county, q
little boy. He lived at the time at
Long Cane, where he attended his first
school. Afterward he attended school
over in Heard County, and from there
he went to the University in Athens.
But there are men here to-day that can
give you the history of his young days
better than l can. Come, let me intro
duce you to Judge Bigham, of La
Grange, and Mr.. John Traylor and DR..
Pitman. They all knew him well at that
time, and can give you all the inform
alton you want" ! then had pleasant
conversation with each of these gentle
men, and from them learned the follow
ing facts in regard to the great states
man who now lies in his CARVE,
and for whom not only the people of
Troup County, his old .home, but q
whole nation mourns. Judge Bigham
said: "Yes, I have known Ben Hill
a long time, and have heard him
deliver the finest speeches of his life.
Be came to this county from Jasper, 1
think, and after graduating at Athens,
where he had taken the first honor, he
read law and was admitted to the bar
in Meriwether County, and after ward
located in LAGRANGE. And I want to
say now that the finest orations ever
delivered in Georgia by any one, was
about that time delivered by Mr.. Hill
upon temperance cause which was
known as "sons of temperance" These
lectures by Mr.. Hill had a wonderful
influence which had been felt in this
country ever since, and which will be
felt for time to come. These speeches
stamped him at once the coming states
man which he has since proven himself
to be. eyes," said DR.. Pitman, 81
have one or two of these temperance
speeches printed in pamphlet form, and
/ keep them as mementoes of the past,
something with which I could not be
induced to part. 1 shall give them to
my children for their counselor and
guide in future life."
Mr.. John Traylor also spoke feeling
ly of his early acquaintance with Mr..
Hill, of Mr.. Hills first speech on this
ground, and as he spoke of the great
statesman, then and now, his voice
trembled. These gentlemen with whom
1 talked are all old and prominent citi-
zens of this county, and were Mr.. Hills
boyhood friends. These same kind
expressions 1 have heard on every hand
since I have been in this county, now
some two weeks ago in regard to Sena-
tor Hill.
MIR. HILLS OLD HOME.
I asked citizen of La Grange to show
me Mr.. Hills old home, which he kind
ly did, and I walked down the broad
street until 1 came to the magnificent
mansion which was once the home of
this distinguished man. The rock
fence that surrounded the old residence
is going to decay, and in places has
fallen down F.; the grounds look desolate,
and the large oaks that stand thick in
the grove have look of sadness, as
though weeping for him who will never
again behold them. There never was
a man more universally beloved than is
Mr.. Hill by the people of this county,
who know him best, and it is always n
a voice of sadness that his name is
mentioned. If the prayers of his peo-
pie were answered, Senator Hill would
have been restored to health.