Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-09-29

Her Death Recalls an incident or
Lord ratrfax's Life.

The Washington Star OF Thursday
contained the following historical rerni-
niscence, which will be read with inte-
rest by all Virgininns-especislly the
descendants and friends of the Fairfax
family:
The death in this city yesterday OF
Mrs. ada Fairfax, widow OF Charles
Snowden Fairfax. tenth baron IN tle
peeraPe Of Scotland, suggests memories
OF a noble family, whose history IS in
terwoyen with that of Maryland and Nir-
GINA since prior to the Revolutionary
war, the Lord Fairfax who espOused the
cause OF the colonists and served on
Washing.on's staff being the distinguish
ed ancestor after whom Fairfax county,
Va, was named. The title was created
in 1927 as Baron Fairfax, OF Cameron,
in the peerage OF Scotland. the main fea-
lures OF tho family coat-of-arms en-
bracing the lion and the unicorn ram
pant on either side the shield, bearing a
striking resemblance TO the royal arms
of England. The motto of the coat Of
arms is Speak and Act.
Mrs. Ada Fairfax, who has just died
here, was the second daughter Of the
late j. S. Benham, Esq, of Gin
cnnati. Her marriage to Lord Fer
fax took place in 1915, her late
husband bringing her to his Virginia
home, "Varicuse, in Fairfax county,
where they remained until 1850, when
they moved to California. An incident
in his life while in California illustrates
bis courage and generosity. in the
spring of 1859 Lord Fairfax was walking
home, accompanied by the Chief Justice
of California and two other friends, when
he was met by a reporter Of the
court, named Henry Lee. 1t APP
pears Lee thought lord Fairfax
had in some way tried to inIure
him, aud therefore accostiUg him accused
Lord Fairfax, charge which he denied.
Lee rejoined in en- INCIDENT and most
offensive manner that ne did not believe
him substantially giving the lie, evil
IDENTITY desiring that lord Fairfax should
strike him. tie effected his object,
Lord Fairfax striking him on the face.
In return Lee struck at him with a light
cane, within which was concealed a long
dagger Lord Fairfax caught the cane
in his hand, Lee sprang back, drew the
dagger quickly from the cane, and III
hicted two terrible wounds, one through
his left breast and the other IN
his side. Lord Fairfax ian I'M
erring shot had drawn a DerrinGer
pistol and presented it cooked in time
10 prevent Lee making a third thrust
In a moment Lee threw up his arms and
cried out: Don't kill me ; am un-
armed. Standing perfectly still, Lord
Fairfax. who was "a splendid shot, had
him covered at not more than SIX feet
distant, and could have killed him be-
yond any possible peradyenture. All up
until now had occurred In IN incredibly
short space OF time, before any one had
time to interfere, or even realize that
deadly assault had been made. Lord
Fairfax, holding his pistol at Lees
head. replied You miserable coward
YOU have murdered me- You have as
sassinated me. and have your worthless
life in my hands but, for the sake Of
your wife and MD, | shall spare you.
Cries at this were raised from the crowd
"Shoot him, Fairfax " Kill him ~
Don't spare him Still standing
erect, looking Lee full in tne face and
holding tine pistol as before, Lord Fair
fax replied "No. | won't Kill him, ~ and
then, addressing Lee. said Recollect
have your life in my hands, and l
spare it, not on your worthless account
for YOU are an assassin aud coward, but
because of your wife and child With
that he dropped his pistol hand, uncock-
ed the revolver, and handed 1t to a gen
tleman who was with him.