Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1886-09-12

From an old ,rItD said he learned but
little of any of his Instructors. He studied law
with Edmund Randolph, who was Washing
toms attorney general, and he was a member
of congress when he was -. John Randolph
was a curious looking fellow. He had high
cheek bones, like his Indian ancestors. and like
them he had no heard. He parted his hair in
the middle and looked more like a boy than n
man. When he was sworn in as a member of
the house he looked so young that the author
tiles asked him whether he was old enough To
be a CONGRESSMAN. He replied with dignity:
Il refer YOU to my constituents" He was
never in very good health, and during the
last half Of his life his customary response i'll
answer to questions about his health was that
he was dying, dying, dying"
John Randolph is said TO have been very
tall and thin, with short body and long legs
and arms. his long, bony fingers have gone
into history from the way he used to point
theIg at his enemies in congress. His fore
finger and his foot were the parts OF his body
which he used most in gestiCulation, and it is
said that his finger seemed to have no bone
in II when he thus used it After it had ac-
comp!iShed what it had been called into action
for it would fall over on the back OF his hand
as limp as a string Randolphs eye was very
bright and piercing. and | find that nearly
all of the men who have written about him
speak of its wonderful brilliancy. He had
delicate feet and he often patted these Oh the
floor while he was speaking. He drew up his
feet when walking, and did not throw them
forward boldly. HG walked like an Indian
and he dressed like an English dude. He was
faStidious about his clothes, and he wore III,
most Enthusiastically fashionable apparel He
had a remarkably shrill voice, but it was soft
and flute like and of great carrying power, No
matter how sick Randolph was he could mac
all about him hear and his voice went to the
most remote corners of the large audiences
which he addressed. He was a good singer
and was fond of music. He drank a great
deal at times and there are some authorities
who believe that his insanity and eccentricity
were largely the result Of drinking.
He was never married, but in his letters.
which have read very carefully, he often re-
fers to his love, and it is said that his sweet
heart married Peyton Randolph, the son Of
Edmund Randolph who was secretary of
state under Washington. This girls name
was Maria Ward and it is said that Randolph
was engaged TO her for some years when the
engagement was broken of. Randolph left
".
and that 80 much 10 that he would not stop to
unite the halter strap which fastened his
horse To the fence, He whipped out his knife
and cut it Off and then galloped away. THIS
Maria Ward is described as having been the
greatest belle of Virginia at that time, and
Gen. LAFAYETTE was 80 charmed with her
when be came to this country that he wanted
to adopt her as his daughter and take her 10
France She died, however. before he left
this country. Randolph never paid attention
to another woman lie calls Miss Ward his
angel" in his letters. and in one Of them he
strangely says: Il love. aye, and was loved
again, not wisely hut too well"
Randolph was a very good business man.
He had a great numfer of slaves and he
treated them very well, save when he got
angry In bis will he freed them, and he
was very particular in making the will
strong enough TO accomplish this end He
was great lover OF horses and kept the best.
He had some Of the best race horses in the
country during his days, and | doubt not le
WAS accustomed to bet upon the races In
his duel with Clay he acted in q very high
toned manner. He did not shoot at Mr.
Clay but fired his pistol into the air lie
made up with Clay before he died, and at one
time when he thought he was dying he had
himself carried into the sena e that he might
hear Clay speak
Randolph had little care for other mems
feelings. He delighted in saving mean things
and seldom thought twice in making a. re-
mark - 20 bow deep it might cut He was
suP2I uIC'rs fellow, and even on his deathbcd
he criticised the language of his doctor His
doctor asked: Mr.. Randolph, do you lay
easvi"
Randolph replied with an emphasis on the
italicized words: i lie as easily as a dying