Wichita eagle., 1888-12-21
TOM GRkYSON.
The Zero of EggIeston's Latest Novel and
His Prototype in Real Life.
rC,,aoiaI Cr~-,c,Do-5aooa

The Zero of EggIeston's Latest Novel and
His Prototype in Real Life
Especial Correspondence.
ABERDEEN, D. T, Dec. N.-Most persons
who have read Dr.. Edward Eggisoon's last
story know that the incident related OF
Abraham LincoiR'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. But it is not
so well known that Thomas Grayson,
editor, who died at Mesdville, Pa, in 1854,
was the hero-in feet and name. Mr. John
Adams, lawyer Of this city, gives these
facts:
In the fall Of 1881 Mr.. Adams, then a 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 90
years OF age, Of strong personality, and, ac-
oortins to Mr.. Adams description, impulsive,
irascible, "a good lover and a good hater,"
Just such man as the Tom Graysou of the
story would De at 60, as M 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 Al able journalist, well known in west
ern Pennsylvania, an uncompromising Dem
ocrat, and q man Of high standing in the
community. II will be remembered by those
who read The Graysons" that the interest OF
the story, whose scenes are laid in early Iii
nois, centers about & charge of murder
against young Tom Grayson, and that Abra-
ham Lincoln conducts his defense. Mr..
AdaIns, apart from the body Of the testi-
mony he advances in support Of his belief
that The Graysons" is fact romance, states
that in the editors favorlpe room hung
splendid portrait Of Lincoln, fact which af-
fords &C least some inducement to the other
details Of Nj. Adams narrative.
While l was assisting Mr.. Grayson upon
The Advocate says Mr.. Adams Il often had
occasion to visit Mr.. Graysonis home, to
which his illness then confined him. On one
occasion, as was about to enter his room 30
consult with him about some matter relative
to the paper, net at the door, with a bundle
OF papers in hand, tail gentleman of strik
ing appearance. he wore a dressing gown,
and had apparently just finished an interview
with Mr.. Grayson. | at once recognized him
as Edward Egglestou. Nary 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.
Egglestou remained at the house four days,
and during this time was closeted daily with
old Thomas. | did not see the editor Of The
Advocate but once during the time, and then
he gave Instructions as TO the paper, and re-
marked that his engagements with Mr.
Egglestou would admit OF no work during
that week
THE object OF the long interviews in Mr.
Grayson's room were a mystery to the family.
This know from the remarks made by Mary
one day: 1 wonder what papa and Mr..
Eggleston can De doing. They are together
four or five hours every day, and papa gave
orders that no one should disturb them
Il wondered st the time" says Mr.. Adams,
''but when ! read the first chapter of The
Graysous' in The Century, it flashed over me
in moment that Mr.. Eggleston was then
securing data for his story, which / now be
lieve is, to some extent at least, biography
of Old Tom Grayson's' early life. There's a
striking resemblance between the character
and the man as knew him Tom Graysou,
young and vigorous, was just the man, IN she
fascination Of q game Of poker, TO face Ill
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
Meadvins in 1884, and bis conviction Of the
identity Of Mr. EggIeston's- hero, supported
by the facts recited, would seem to prove
him the man FRANK P. WILLIAMS