The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1886-09-16

(From an old cut) said he learned but
little of any of his instructors. He studied law
with Edmund Randolph, who was Washing
tons attorney general, and he was 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 beard. He parted his hair in
the middle and looked more like boy than a
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 congressman He replied with dignity:
81 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 ne used to point
them 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 10 bone
in it when he thus used it, After. it had ac-
complished 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 l 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. He walked like en- Indian
and he dressed like an English dude. He was
fastidous about his clothes, and he wore the
most Enthusiastically fashionable apparel. He
had remarkably shlill voice, but it was soft
and flute like and of great carrying power No
matter how sick Randolph was he could make
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 q 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 il his letters,
which | have read very carefully, be 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 off. Randolph left
the presence of his sweetheart very angrily,
and that so much so that be 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 so charmed with her
when he came to this country that he wanted
IN adont her as his daughter and take bei. IN
France She died, however, before he left
this country. Randolph never paid attention
to another woman. He calls Miss Ward Ibis
angel" in his letters, and in one of them he
strangely says: II love, aye, and was loved
again, not wisely but too we'll"
Randolph was a very good business man.
He had great number of slaves and he
treated them very well, save when he got
angry. In his will he freed them. and be
was very particular in making the will
strong enough to accomplish this end He
was great lover of horses ard kept the best.
He had some of the best race horses in the
country during his days and | doubt not he
was accustomed to bet upon the races In
his duel with Clay he acted in very high
toned manner He did not shoot at Mr..
Clay but fired his pistol into the air He
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 saying mean things
and seldom thought twice in making a re-
mark as to how deep it might cut He was
sIIpercilious fellow, and even on his deathbed
be criticised the language Of his doctor. His
doctor asked: mfr. Randolph, do you lay
sasyp
Randolph replied with an emphasis on the