The Arkansaw traveler., 1884-06-14
sroHRwALLJAcKsoN.
IRufas R. Wilson, ia Ps,ssbarr ros,l

This region, western Virginia, Is rich in the memories which surround the name of Jacksoa- lt vas to this county that one of the Jacksoas emigsafed nearly hundred yean ago from Virginia, and became the head of a family which nambeEs amoaR its membess nAen iike l. R. Jackson, present governor of west NMginia, aad J. ]. Jacksoa, judge of the United States district court All the Jacksons were men strong of heart and ssoss of limb, acted fcr their honesty, in- teerity and foroe of eharacsss. Reccl- lections of the older memhexs of the family still finger among the people here. and there Is many . ume-sorn man who delights so talk of Jonafhan and Cum mins Jackson and the xAiss of cAagacssx which made them known for niles around. But the one of whom they are most broad, and whose virtues they never tire of recising. Is Ssouewan Jackson, who vas born here who tTudged as . boy over these hills so school: and who finally, fiendless orphan, al the age of eighteen went out into the world to be- come in turn the leader of his class at West Point, brilliant officer tn the war - yoeng men, ssd finally oae q the great ct generals of the age. Thers ars old mea here vho rememher the awkward boy, clad in blue corduroy, vho used to ride the hoeses of his spcgt-loving Uncse Cummins on courses where large prises were at stake and vAo seldom failed to bging through e winner the korse ke rode. There arc other men who remem- Der Tom" Jackson, their old school- fellow, as boy toad of sport, and one quick to come to the defonse of sOuse vroneed playmate; bat in scAool close student who entered with heart and soul into his tasks. There are women here, the mothers of families and many of them grsndmoshess, that remember the young officer who. after hia service ia the home, where his fame had already pre- ceeded him, for few months of rest and quiet, to become for tune the favorite and coveted prize of all the country belles. There IS nothing of which these people love better to talk than of Stonesall Jackson. and, until q short time ago, when it was torn down to make room Tor improvements. the first thing pointed out to stranger visiting Ctarksburg was the old house in which he was born.
 Here in Weston lives Wm. E. Arnold, an old-,ime country gentleman and law yer, who vas Stonewall Jackson's hrst school master and his close and life long friend. He, perhaps, more intimately than any other, knew Jackson during hss early years and was one of the 6rst to disc0ver those traits which made the boy a marked character and the man famous. In his law ofiice-for though nos almost eighty years of age, he still practices law the writer found Mir. Arnold and told his errand. A long and interesting talk followed, and then the old gentleman kindly volunteered to aceompasy me upon visit to the spot where S,onewall Jackson spent his boyhood. A ride ol tour miles over a pleasant country road brought us to the old Jackson House and mills" on the west fork of the Mo- nongslia ri,er. The house which has long been without, occupants is now fast falling into decay and in few years al the farthest only a mass of cIumbling ruins will be left to mark spot tha, IS historic. After long ramble over the fields and along the nvef's side we sA, down to rest on . porch of the old house. and here, warmed by the sunshine of the bright May morning, MT. Arnold was in- duced to give the following sketch oi Jackson's boyhood. So much that he said was new and all was % intese ,sine that give 1t in full. Said he:
 "l knew Stonevall Jackson from . child of three years- remember q visit to nis father at Clarksburg. where he practiced law, few months before he died. His death, when Sto0evAll was three years of age, left his family in very straitened circumstances. His wife. who vas very proud-spirited woman, for time supported hersslf and kept her family with her by teaching and needle work. Finally she married an almost penniless lawyer named Woodson and her children were sent 10 live with their uncles and aunts. Fourteen months iaaer the mother died and the children were Jeff orphans. Thomas, a lad of eight was adopted by his Uncle Cummins Jackson, who lived here, and on this farm the remainder of his boyhood was passed.
 Cummins Jackson, the boys losess father, was ID many respects a marked character. He was man of intempes- ase habits, fond of gambling, betting and horse racing, bat albeit . man of Aonssey and integrity. He possessed . warm al- lection for his nephew, and though he often threw him into bad associations, he took good care that 'Thomas.' as he called him, should not become addiesed to the vices of which he vas himsei . slave. The uncle. who alvays owned . number of blooded horses and had on his farm four-mile race course, early tanght his nephew to nde, and at kisssa the boy was inferior to no one as . fast and daring rider. Indeed. % veil vas he taught that he was never thrown from his horse and seldom failed to win a race. He cus m awkward hguse is the ssddle, for he rode with shess ssirTups and | for- ward lean of the body-a positioo re- quired of him by his uncle when racing for heavy stakes, and which in aftes years he never abandoned.
 @Yeung Thomas became ese o( ray