Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1885-03-13

charge OF ms class. 1t was SUNDAY
in summer, and the room was filled
with children ranging from to IS
years of age. Scattered among them
were several white ladies and gentle
men who acted as teachers. Just as
the clock was striking the superin-
tendsRt called the school to order with
prayer, earnest and full of feeling,
which went straight to the heart of ali
who heard it. And then the manner
n which he handled the lesson st the
day, touching upon all the points that
would interest his little hearers, was
admirable. His way of stating old
truths was also charming in Its fresh
ness and simplicity. Some of the
aristocratic people of the town locked
with diSfayor upon this undertaking
of Jackson's, but his heart was in the
work, and then, as ever, needing not
what others say, he did what he be-
heved TO be his duty. The success of
the school was always dear to him,
and even after the war had brokea
out and he had left Lexington his
letters always expressed the desire
that 1t should be kept up as of old.
Il heard jackson make the only
political speech of his life. 1t was at
Lexington during the camsaign
which resulted in the election of LIN
coin, Though the voters of Rock
bridge county, In which Lexington is
situated, were overwhelmingly for
Douglas, Breckinridge had a number
Of warm supporters, and the latter
held mass meeting at the court house.
Frank Paxton. who afterward fell at
Charlottesville at the head of his
brigade, was one OF the speakers. But
the interest seemed 10 lag until JACK
SOB, who sat in the rear of the room,
took the audience by surprise by arts
ing and addressing the chair. From
the first he was listened to with the
strlcteSt attention aud his speech of q
quarter of an hour made more last
impression than all the others. He
spoke briefly and TO the point, touch
ing upon the dangers which threatened
our common country, and the need Of
every citizen taking a decided Stal d
for the right as he saw fit. That scene
comes back to ME now-the dimlv
lighted room, the upturned faces of
awkward gestures of the speaker.
When he had finished, he turned
abruptly and marched out with the
quick, firm step which was part of the
man. But revolution had come TO
those who had remained, and they
knew that the reserved aud quiet
professor, whom hey had never
credited with an interest in public
affairs, had clear and well defined
views of the hour and the courage to
express and stand by his convictions.
"Jaekson's first wife was the daugh-
ter of Rev George Jenkins, the presi,
dent OF Washin ton aud jefferson
college. 1t was one of the striking
anomalies produced by the war that,
while Jackson was the idol of the
southern ca. s., his father in law was
an extreme unionist, and at TIE be-
ginning of the war, on account of his
decided views, rendered his resigna-
ton and went north. Jackson'S
second wife, by whom he had one
child, daughter, is still living, and
often visits Parkersburg, this state,
whsre the relatives Of her husband s
mother, the Meals, reside. Both of
Jackson's wives were noble women,
and to both he was warmly attached.
Though, as have said, Jackson
was reserved and austere in his bear
ing, he was one of the most popular
men in Lexington. Modest, aud al
ways unwilling to 10 make showing
of his powers, everyone, sooner or
LOT To h
markable man, and even if they did
not claim him as friend they res
pected him sincerely, and were prompt
to show him that they did. In the
classroom he was impartial and
strict, but not severe. A dull student
always received the kindliest encour-
agement from him, while a lazy one
was just as sure of reprimand.
There are scores of men who owe the
education they possess to the thorough
grounding received dming the years
spent under Prof. Jackson.
When in April, 1861, news reach.
ed Lexington that the ordinance of
seces ion lad been passed, the sleepy
old town seemed suddenly changed to
a military camp, and on every side
we e seen the preparations for war.
1t was decided that the older cadets at
the military institute should be sent
to the various recruiting stations to
drill the volunteers. And, so one
day in May, with Jackson at their
head they marched away. Poar lads /
too many OF them-far too many
that morning was only the bright
opening of a career soon to end in
suffering death. The time set for
their departure was still, sunny Sun
day morning and all the people of the
town, several thousand in number,
had gathered TO see them off The
cadets, numbering two hundred, were
drawn up IN front of the gate of the
fortress institute building, wait
ing for Jackson's appearance. After
a tire he came riding out through the
gateway on the homcly sorrel which
afterward became almost as famous
as its master. He had barely reached
the head of the column, and wheeling
stood facing the multitude, when,
taking off his SLOUGH hat. he said in
low voice: Let us pray" And then
an aged minister of the town, DR..
Wkite, lifted his voice in prayer. l
can not recall his words, ard only re
member that he prayed Gods blessing
might rest upon the cause for which
the young men were going forth to bat
tie. and his hand might protect them
When he had finished, jackson
faced his men and in quick sharp
tones gave the order: Forward,
march! And ebeying his command,
with him at their head, they marched
away. On reaching the top of hill
the town they halted, and
Jackson, turning, waved his hat te the
people below. Another movement
ard they were gone. Never again did
the people of Lexington see jackson
until he was brought back and laid
to rest in the old baryihg ground
I'm the days that fellow wed | saw
Jackson ofteu-for the last time just
after The battle of Manassas, early in
Of 1852 l was then serv-
ing in the 11th Virginia cavalry, Of
Stuart's division, my command being
in Prince William county,
/ was sick at that time,
but, having been refused furlough
By Gen. Stuart, l preferred remaining
a L L Al