Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-09-14
sheftalI sheftaII. ESQ

Editor Morning NelUS: 1t has occurred
to me that a reference through your col
umns to the gentleman whose name heads
this article would net be unacceptable.
He was at the time Of which l write
from 1925 to 1888 and up to the day of
his decease the most conspicuous citizen
of Savannah, and, according to my boy
ish fancy, the most methOdical and yet
the oldest individual | ever knew. He
always wore the "small clothes" of the
revolutionary PERIOD. e., knee breeches,
with silver buckles just below the knee,
low-duartered shoes, with broad silver
buckles, a shad-bellied coat, long vest,
and cooked hat and cue. He was an
Inveterate snuff-taker, and for many years
carried his snuff loose in the right
hand vest pocket, thus dispensing with
She silver gOld-lined snuff-boX which had
previously been his constant companion.
He never used tobacco in any other form /;
but in early manhood he was somewhat
addicted to drink; and no wonder, as it
was the universal custom in "Auld Lang
Syne'' for every housekeeper to have in
his parlOr ahandsomesideboard on which
were displayed decanters filled with
choice wines, cordials and liquors, and
glasses of various sizes and patterns. On
entering friends house, the greeting be-
ing over, the visitor was directed to the
sideboard and invited to "smile." This,
whether the master of the house was
present or not; his wife or daughter, in
his absence, or IN the absence of all these
the servant extending the invitation; yet
it is a remarkable tact that / never knew
a lady TO drink even cordial on such Occa-
siOns. Esquire Sheftall was a welcome
guest at the houses of all his acquaint-
ances, and being, as l have said, very
methOdical in all his ways, he made his
1af1x
about 10 O'Clock in the forenoon and wind
ing up ''pretty full" as the unsteadiness
of his step plainly indicated. One of his
peculiarities was to visit each house on
his ''list' at particular hour every day,
rain or shine, and to drink a particular
brand of liquor from a particular decan-
ter and a certain glass at each house. His
round of visits usually terminated about
1890 O'Clock at Col. VIM. T.. Shelman's,
on BroughtOn street, near Bull. Col.
Shellman had two pretty and mis-
chieVouS daughters, who were very
fond of the "Squire' Gas everybody
called him., and equally so of their
fun. Having repeatedly noticed his pecu-
liarIty in drinking from the same glass at
each of his visits to their fathers house,
and also that he had habit, in pouring
out the beverage, of holding the glass be-
tween himself and the light, and taking
about the same quantity 1.-TWO or three
"fingers" perhaps each time, one of the
mischievous young ladies, soon after his
departure on one occasion, procured a
file and made the slightest perceptible
scratch on the glass where she supposed
was his gauge. The next day when the
Squire called the ladies were present to
observe the effect of their little joke. After
a few pleasant words with them, he turned
to the sidebodrd and, seiZing his glass
and decanter, proceeded to pour out his
customary dram; but almost in
stantly his eye detected the file
mark on the glass, and, without a
word, he deliberately replaced the glass
and decanter on the sidebOard and left
the house. He was never known to drink
a drop of spirits after that time! Nor did
he ever manifestthe least displeasure for
the trick that broke him of the bad habit
he had fallen into of getting royalty booty
daily on theNbest kind of liquor in very
pleasant way.
The Squire lived to a green old age, a
bachelor. He was a great reader, had
remarkably retentive memory, and was
great pedestrian. He was never in a
hurry, but a gs strobe with martial
tread and exe ice. 1 remember. watch
ing him on one occasion when a black
smiths shop, two doors east of his broth
er's residence ( DIR. Moses Sheftall) on
BrQpghton street, about midway between
w 1lJdkef ana barnard streets, on the
north side, with whom he boarded, took
fire. He was approaching the house at
the time, and although every one else
in the neighboThOod was wild with ex-
element, he passed on apparently uncon-
cerned, nor making false step, entered,
and in a few moments returned to the
long piazza in front of the residence,
where his walk was continued until the
fire was extinguished and the excitement
over. 1t was his praetice.to pace this pi-
azza for hours, daily. after returning from
his visits to the reading rooms. ETC., and
nightly until bedtime.
In the language Of DR.. o. w. Holmes.
slightly changed, confess that
1 know it was a sin
For me to sit and grin
At him there.
But the old three cornered hat
And the breeches, and all that,
Were so queer!
And if 1 should live to be
The last leaf upon the tree
In the spring,
Let them smile as did then,
At the old forsaken b0ugh
Where | cling.
C.R.H.
Washington City, Sept. 3, 1884.
Cleopatra
Her power was retained by force OF per-
sonal charms. She led the old s'boys',
captive whenever she talked ''pretty', to
fhnpn and cboyuad hnr u;gko.,,