Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1886-12-03
KENTUCKY CELEBRITIES.
stories of Prominent Men-Eccen-
tricittcs OF Tom Marshall--IIow
Henry Clay Accepted Defeat


One of the most remarkable men in
he history of Kentucky. writes "A Lex
ington correspondent of The Cincinnati
Enquirer. was Hon. Tom. Marshall.
the great orator. He was man of re-
markable power and brilliancy, his
written rs well as spoken productions
being among the finest specimens of
literature in the English language.
But with all his great gifts he had one
besetting sin; he was addicted TO strong
rink. 1t made him neglect his prac-
tice as lawyer, and not infrequently
brought him to the verge of poverty.
Tie was often known to roam the
streets in seedy garments and without
cent in his pocket, caring for moth
ne but the qualification of his APPETITE
'or liquor. During the war he was n
tiolent-tongue sympathizer with the
south, whose cause he often defended
with lingu suc imprudence. At the
same time living in Lexington was old
DIR. Robert j. Breckenridge, an out
and-out unionist. who often aided in
causing the arrest of the rebel sympa-
thizers, though he had two sons and n
nephew in the rebel armies. Marshall
was loud in denunciation of Breckin-
ridge, and one day Marshall was ar
rested and sent to prison. Through
The Intervention of friends he was re-
leased after a lengthy imprisonment
He found his way To the office of Judge
W. b. Kinkead presenting forlorn
appearance. He complained bitterly
IF the way he had been treated, and
challenged the authority of the govern
mcnt % do such a thing. Judge Kin
kead reminded him that it had been
done, and that he had better keep quiet
n it might be done again. Noticing
his appearance the Judge said: Mar
shall, have YOU any money! NO"
replied Marshall; II had a dollar in my
pocket when they arrested me in
Frankfort. but when we left poor
fellow who GOT on the train at Frank
fort was about to be put of because he
had no money to pay his fare, so /
went to him and gave him the dollar.
| thought he needed it more than |
lid The Judge and some friends
fixed Marshall up deccntly and sent
HIM home.
One day not long afterward Marshall.
who had been drinking, stumbled into
the office OF Judge Richard \. Buckner
and stretched himself upon n sofa At
ter awhile he turned TO Buckner. who
was reading. and remarked. in his in
,mitably sarcastic way. "Buckncr. YOU
think YOU are smart, don't you2' This
ncttled Buckncr because of its tone,
and he instantly retortcd, I'm not
damned coward" The shot struck
home. Marshall knew well what it
meant 1t was well known that he had
threatened TO attack DR.. BreckinrIdge
IN print but. as he had never carried
)ut his threat, it was surmised that he
was afraid of the old man : caustic pen.
left the Office and went home
20 Versailles. He shortly aftcrward
'ead TO prominent LAWYER in that place
A terrible attack upon the doctor. 1t
was the scverest thing he had ever seen
n the English language. and at the
'ame time sample of the finest COM
position. 1t was intended for publica-
ion. In day or two Marshall cot on
| spree. went to the office. GOT his pa
)ers, and threw them into the fire.
Thus, it is said, was lost TO literature
me Of It's brightest gems. Its publica-
ion would have called from DR. Breck- /.
nridge reply quite in keeping with
he character of the attack
Nearly every body knows or has heard /
If Dick Wintersmith. He is a humor-
It of national repute. and by far out
anks the Texan Col. Ochil.ree. He is
. kentuckian by birth, education, and .
asteS He used to be frequent visitor
o Lexington from his home in Louis
lille. when the old Phoenix hotel was
n the zenith of it, glory. and Gen.
lanes +. Robinson was its genial and
iospi,able lost. Dick Wintersmith was
|. terror at repartee, and in a rough and
umble fight with the tongue he was sure
o come off the victor.
One day before the war Gen. Roger
ianson, who was then making a race
or congress, was standing near the
esk when Wntcrsmith approached
I'm and said jocularly:
Hanson. my feelings were never so
As they were to-day"
How was that ?" said Hanson.
Why" said Dick. ~ fellow APP
roached me to shake hands. He had
AIKEN me for you.
lImson'' face colored slightly and he
answered:
Can YOU show me the man P"
''Why? What do you want with
i'm ?"
ii want TO whip him within an inch