Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1883-03-10

Hon. Alexander Ii. Stephens, Governor
of Georgia, and one of the best known
men in public life, died at Atlanta, Ga,
on Sunday morning last. lie was born
of Pennsylvania parents, in Taliaferro
County, Georgia, February II, 1912. His
origin WAS humble and his boyhood was
passed in that condition Of exacting in
dustry which raises its victims just above
poverty. His father died when he was
fifteen years old, up to which time he had
never been in school, and lie was thus
early thrown upon his OWL resources. lie
was small, puny boy, with scarcely
enough vitality to live to manhood, but
his intellect was bright and his ambition
was early aroused. He worked his way
through school and college and succeeded
in securing as good education rs his State
afforded. lie then studied law and enter
ed upon its practice in the town Of Craw-
louisville, within two miles of his birth
place, in 1884. He was elected to the
State Legislature in 1886, where he re-
manned i'm one house or the other for eight
wears. In lS43 lie was first elected to the
lower house Of Congress, where he re-
manned until 1859, when he declined a
reelection. He fOrcsaw the civil war,
and while his attachment to the Union
was strong his love for his State was
stronger still, and he was elected Vice
President of the Confederacy, serving
throughout the fitful life of that failing
experiment.
After the close of the war he was ar
rested and confined in prison for some
months. Upon hiS return to Georgia he
was elected to the United States Senate,
but rs reconstruction was not yet complete
he was not admitted. In 1873 he was
again elected to Congress, his second pc
riod of service continuing until his elrc-
ton AS Governor of Georgia last August,
when he resigned from Congress. lie
was more picturesque than influential
figure in Congress. lie became noted us
a compromised, a peacemaker, and was
inclined to work outside Of party trammels
without reason. He was always atten-
lively listened to and became one Of the
most popular men in the House.
Mr.. Stephens was man Of very kindly
nature. He had a large heart, and be-
slowed his comparatively limited income
with lavish liberality. Many orphan
boys and girls were under obligations to
him for favors when they most needed
them. He Was nothing Of an aristocrat,
and he always expressed something OF
bitterness against the men whom he
charged with forgetting the interests of
the people. He was All honest man in all
the relations of life, and, despite his occa-
sional wavering, was one Of the most in
icres,ing figures in public life during the
last generation.
Mr.. Stephens was never married. lie
lived near Charlottesville and kept open
house at Liberty Hail." which has long
been famed for its genial hospitality to all
corners, whether white or black. He was
full of "reminiscences of old customs and
people. which gave him personality
more interesting, perhaps, than any other
man in public life during the last twenty
years. His death has caused grea. regret
among all classes, irrespective Of party,
and he will always be held in honor by
the people not only Of his own State but
OF the entire country.