Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1883-11-23
Mr.. PAYNE HIMSELF.
Bis Appearance, Habits and Character
"A Remarkable Ola Man.

Henry B. Payne is in some respects re-
msrkable man. He was born within ten
years of the last century; his first Presi'
Dental vote was cast for Andrew Jackson.
Since he first attended national conyen-
ton as q delegate, Buchanan, Lincoln,
johnson Grant, Hayes, Garfield and Ar
thur have been President. He and Doug
lass were boys together, Payne three years
he older, and they were psrty leaders to-
gether quarter OF a century ago. Doug
iss has been dead twenty two years and
Psyreis still with Us, scarcely out OF his
PRIME. He was the intimate friend OF
Fran lin Pierce, who was President OF the
United States so long ago that not one per
son out OF i've hundred now living was Old
enough to vote for him. He was big
schOclOoy, reading the New York papers
and thinking a little OF politics. before
John Adams and Thomas Jefferson were
dead. He can remember when Maine was
admitted into the Union, the Missouri
compromise bill passed, and Lafayette Wis
tied America.
AweII Preserved Man.
Though Mr.. Payne is seventy-three years
old he seems not more than sixty. Tall
and rather spare, with face not unlike
Henry Clay's, erect in figure, with enough
gray hair TO cover his scalp, bright eyes,
quick ear, active legs and voice still reSo-
nant and moduiated, he is, indeed, fine
old man. If you call at his home he will
receive you cordially in his library, seat
Won himself, attend 10 his own wants with
out ca ling for a servant, talk to you enter
tainipgly, ard make you feel glad to be
there and reluctant TO go away.
In conversation he is as fresh and con-
siderste, as mindful of interjections, as
conscious of his listeners failure or success
in comprehending as be must have been
Quarter of q century ego. Though three
score and thirteen he does not want to do
sill the talking; he does not ramble; he
does rot skip or humble. He uses we'll
chosen words, properly strung together,
expressing q lot of continuous, connected
ideas or impressions.
He is a man whose life has been one OF
building up, enlarging, not wearing away
by toll and worriment He hiss taken care
OF himself. 1t is his habit to rise at seven
o'clock, shave himself and read the morn
Ing paper until breakfast, which is light:
After breakfast he resumes the papers, and
at fen O'Clock starts for his Office, nearly
mile avay, No matter what the weather
is he always walks, and as he comes along
the avenue at good gait, with erect form
and long stride and with his hat pushed
back so as to leave his forehead free, he is q
striking figure.
A Man Charitable TO Others.
A characteristic of the man is his lack OF
jealousy of any one else. He never speaks
harshly of those with whom he is at vari-
ance. he seems to deplore every mans i'll
luck and be glad at all good turns. When
bis campaign against Governor Chase was
at its fiercest he always had a good word
for his rival, such as Governor Chase is
srest man, a remarkable man" When
Vallsndisham's course met with his most
earnest ceEsure and others were denoun-
cling the Southern sympathizer in harsh
terms, Mr.. Payne would check them, say
ing; "Mr. Vaiiandigham is man OF won.
deTful ability, and sincere one. We must
not speak i'll OF him." When Chase was
Secretary of the Treasury, and father OF tie
sr.enbsck, Mr.. Payne, forgetting that he
Eas a Democrat and q late political antag-
tpist of the Secretary, said: "Mr. Chase
seems TO be the one man in our govern
mept Who completely comprehends the
necessities Of the situation"
Il have krowa Mr.. Payne for forty