The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1884-05-31
BLAINE'Sr EARLY LIFE,
caRrsR OF HIS HoyAooD DAYS.

II DAtA44N I'M LA 1uu ~ LII ~
cARrIR OF HIS soYHoop DAYS
C!fcamstasees Coanstlsd With lila Eat.rIuy Co
t hEs-somc Trails In Ils CAavarier--Not =
!. Dull Scholar, ~ has Been iAurlsd-Ha 4,
lGonlal isoel,t Social Qaall,l.. Il
Special Correspondence Of he Iateitigenctr.
WASHINGTON, Pa, May 3O.-In tht
many interviews published at this time
concerning the earlier career Of James G.
Blaine, statements are frequently made
that convey a false impression about his
abilities, religion, etc, especially during
bis course at { Washington College. In
view Of these inaccuracies, and in order to
give true account Of his lie while at COL
lege, an 1NrRLlleEsrEn correspondent cal.
led at the Office Of "a prominent attorney
and politician Of this place, who was at
that time an intimate friend and college.
mate Of Mr.. Blaine. In tho course OF the
interview number Of facts and reminis.
cencea were obtained that indicate clearly
the characteristics Of Mr.. Blaine's nature,
| Prior to tho lall'of 1912, the Blaino fam.
lily lived ut West Brownsville, Pa. It con.
sisted Of Ephraim L. Blaine, Mrs. Marian
Blaine, a daughter Of Neal Gillespie, who
was then wealthy citizen OF West Browns.
vile, and relative Of Gen. Thomas Ewing
OF Ohio. and the children, named in the
order OF their birth: Neal G., Ephraim,
Eliza, aiterWard married to Mr., Robert
Walker, Of El:zabethtown, James G., and
Robert. l1''----. ''''11 -
~, COLLEGE LIFE. ~, @.55s
The circumstances Of Mr.. Dlaine's com.
ing to college were rather singular, as re.
lated by himself recently 10 friend. In |
the election of 1912, his father. Ephrsirn
Blaine, was the Wing candidate for Pro. |
thonotary. The Democratic party at tbss|
time was dominant in the county but on
account Of alleged unfairness in the nomi.
nation, the party presented two candidatea
Squire James Pollock and Z.cbariab
R1!eynolds.' The Wings elected their can.
dldate and accordingly Ephraim Blaine
moved to Washington in December, 1912,
starting his son at once to college, from
which he was graduated nearly Eve wears
later: Mr.. Blaine, it must be said, always
considered this q fortunate event, as he |
would possibly have never been sent TO
college but for his fathers election, His
father had previously been wealthy, but at |
this time had lost bis money. 49, i
"What was Mr.. Baine's characteristic
disposition, shown at that time ?" asked |
the correspondent.
"His most notable tact was combstiye.
ness. He was always. at home in argu.
ments and generally invited them. It was
the delight Of the Democratic politician to
engage him in political discussions as he
was even then well yersed in political his
tory and was an ardent upholder of Wbip
doctrine to the last. During his course, in
lo44, theparty lines wore drawn unususlly
close regarding some widely discussed
questions that led to the Mexican war aud
in all these affairs young Blaine's readiness
and force IN argument WAS matter of gen.
eral remark. ~ Isl. 3 IA E /. -.
,"DurinH the campaign Of 1914 when the
Wings had a log cabin near the college for
headquarters he was especially aggressive
IN his defence Of! Whig policy, and, in &C.
."Is the statement made in recent inter.
view that he.was'very%medi in schol.
arahip true?" -, ..'I-,..''
.. .a.lls3;7ii.:!' "a VERY SMART DoY.-, ,l-
-'"1t is wholly false. ! He was a brilliant
student and e1celled alike in the laneu.
ages and mathematics. !; He was always
looked upon as very smart and graduated |
with the first honor oil his class, ~
"ihe leading and preponderating quality
OF bis mind was q remarkable memory,
10 this he far excelled every other member
Of his class; and this natural gift which be
greatly strengthened by rigid discipline is
the Hecretof his great success in public
life. sEItiff *, Z iEi9t5 4g,7' ,7~='-'' "'
HE was a great reader OF history and
WAS 80 methodical in his arrangement OF
facts that he could in an instant present an
array OF them that would ,overwhelm any
opponent. An incident illustrating strong.
~ this power ia told Of him when little
boy. His sister challenged him to con-
test in naming the counties Of the State OF |
Pennsylvania. p She named them all ana |
he Immediately named them and every
county seat besides! ..i.I,. -
He asalwsys been noted for his abili.
ty 10 remember faces. Some citizens Of
Washington, Pa, were calling upon him |
in Washington, D.! o.: last week, and in |
the conversation, Mr.; Blaine described |
houses here and recalled tho families who
dwelti in them very infinitely, though he !
had probably not seen them for forty years. |
'All this shows tho wonderful memory with |
which he is empowered" +, .7.szI -
ut has been stated that he was a recluse
and isolated from the other students. How
about this % & ,77s" -
: DLAISEs SOCIAL QUALITIES.
i"He was the very opposite. He was |
gushing, social, good fellow and clever
manner. In fact he exhibited the samo
traits that have since made him go iutuen.
tial among men. He was always consider.
ed leader among the studenls, and il |
anything was going on outside, he was
sure to assert himself and make his pres.
ence telt.1 Athletic sports were limited at
that time, but be certainly had bis share Of
what there was. In literary society he did
not aspire after honors, but bis proclivilies
were in an argumentatiye direction. His
whole aim was set on superiority in tho
college, work and this he achieved in an
eminent degree. He is said also, to have
written several able essays while in tho
society, and while president, to have exhib.
tied great executive ab lity. His extensive
memory was strong point in debate" 81
"How was he ,familiarly known among |
the students ~ . sg5 i,7.1 III
swell, he was stout, rugged boy, full |
Of vim His peculiarly was very large
nose, and he wac always known in college
and town as 'Noaey, Blaine. + noticed
recently that some one; said that he was
called 'Goosey.', butl never heard it in nv