The Republican journal., 1888-12-13
TOM GRAYSON.



Special Correspondence
ABERDEEN, d. T., Dec 10.-Most persons
who have read Dr. Edward Eggleston's last
story know that the incident related of
Abraham Lincoln's acquitting man accused
Of murder by showing from an almanac that
the moon was not up at the time a witness
swore to seeing the murder by its light, is a
fact. 1t was long ago published in sketches
and stories about Lincoln Eut it is not
50 well known that Thomas Grayson,
editor, who died at Meadville, Pa, in 1884,
was the hero-in fact and name Mr. John
Adams q lawyer of this city, gives these
facts:
In the fall of 1851 Mr.. Adams, then law
student, assisted Mr.. Grayson in his editorial
work, acting as local editor while the latter
was suffering from a stroke of paralysis
Thomas Grayson was then a man nearly 60
years OF age, Of strong personality, and, ac-
cording to Mr.. Adams description, impulsive,
irascible, "a good lover and good hater,"
just such a man as the Tom Grayson of the
story would be at GO, as Mr.. Adams ex-
pressed it. He was Of reserved disposition.
and carried about him the air of one who had
suffered from some great misfortune, or had
undergone some severe ordeal in early life He
was an able journalist, well known in west
crn Pennsylvania, an incorporating Dem
ocrat, and Il man of high standing in the
community. 1t will be remembered by those
who read The Graysons' that the interest Of
the story, whose scenes are laid III early Hi
nois, centers about charge Of murder
against young Tom Graysor, and that Abra-
ham Lincoln conducts his defense. Mr..
Adams apart from the body Of the testi-
mony he advances in support Of his belief
that 1.-The Graysonsn Is Il fact romal CO, states
that in the EDITORS favorite room hung
splendid portrait Of Lincoln, fact which af-
for,ls at least some inducement to tne other
details OF Mr.. Adams narrative
while was assisting Dir. Grayson upon
The Advocate" says Mr.. Adams, Il often had
occasion to visit Mr. Grayson's hoilc to
which his illness then confined him. On one
occasion, as was about to cnser his room to
consult with him about some matter relative
To the paper, ! met ut the door, with a bundle
of papers III hand, tail gentleman of strik-
ing appearance. He wore n dressing gown
and had apparently just finished an interview
with Mr Grayson. l at once re cospized him
as Edward Eggleston. Mar Grayson, a
daughter of the family, had told me that her
father was expecting the author, who, it
seems, visited his old friend annually. Mr.
Eggleston remained at the hot Sc four days,
and during this time was closeted daily with
old Thomas. l did not see the editor Of The
Advocate hut once dur nc the -iIne and then
be gave instructions as to the paper, and re
marked that his engagements with Mr..
Eggleston would admit Of no work during
that week.
1.-The object of the long interviews in Mr..
Grayson's room were a my stery 10 the family.
This I know from the remarks made by Mary
one day: L wonder what papa and Mr..
Esgleston can be doing. They are together
four or five hours every day, and papa gave
orders that no one should disturb Them
II wondered at the time," says Mr.. Adams,
''but when l read the first chapter Of The
Graysons' in The Century, it flashed over me
in a moment that Mr.. Eggleston was then
securing data for his story, which l now be
lieve is to some extent at least, biography
Of old Tom Graysons' early life. There's
striking resemblance between the character
and the man as knew him. Tom Grayson,
young and vigorous, was just the man, in the
fascination of a game Of poker, to face i'll
luck to the end and risk all he had down to
bis very clothing, as did the young Tom in
the Illinois romance"
Mr.. Adams relates other interesting rem
iniscences of the supposed hero who died at
Meadville in 1884, and his conviction of the
identity Of Mr. Eggleston's hero, supported
by the facts recited, would seem to prove
him the man. FRANK P. WILLIAMS