Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1889-02-07
A Relative OF Washington.


Or the south side of the big BAL Of the
pension building, where the .oaugurel ball
will be held in lees than FIVE weeks, sta an
old man with flowing silver gray hair, his
tall figure not yet hent by the seventy odd
years of severe vicissitudes through which
he has passed. With Ihs permission Of
Commissioner Black he has rented an acove
in the south corridor of the building, which
has been fitted Up as stand, and here be
sells nick-nacks and cigars and fruit TO the
employees, as we'll as photographs of promi
nent men to visitors. AS 6 reporter was per
ambulating through the hal! his eye liz upon
this olG gentleman quietly seated IN front Of
mis- modest place OF business. He almost
thought himaeif in the presence Of the iV
ing Gen. Washington, so close was the re
eemblance Upon making inquiry it wes
developed that this striking ookiu2 old fel
low was Ebenezer Burgess Bail, said TO be
the nearest living relative Of Gen. George
Washington. Though Americans are not
given to the worship OF men noted cnly for
their brilliant or iilustrious ancestry, The
great similarity between the features OF this
kindly old gentleman and those Of the great
fed bearing, so unassumDg, that one feels q
singular veneraticn and respect for the msn,
which Is seldom experienced in The presence
of the contemporary statesman.
His career in life has been somewhat ad-
Yenturous and sad To see m old man, all
that is living 20 remind Us oftbe great cham
pion of our country's liberties, impoverished
la fortune and without friends, knocking at
the portal of the nations workshop for en-
ployment, only 10 be met with refusal
and turned away, is indeed pathetic Rav-
ing been rejected as an applicant Tor posi-
tion as watchman at the Washington monu-
ment, be finds q soace in his declining years
In administering to the minor wants of the
pension clerks When young man Col.
Ball came here from Virginia and obtained
employment in dry goods store, and while
in Washington met many of the public men
OF the day, including Webster, Calhoun,
Clay. Gales, and the Presidents OF that time,
most of whom we're customers Of the store.
Having become tired Of his prosaic duties
and Of the uneyentful life he was following,
be left Washington and emigrated to Mis-
souri,, then sparsely settled region, Gnd 10.
Gated on the banks of the Osage river in
company with small band OF pioneers.
The place was Inhabited by numerous tribes
of Indians and continual fighting was ren
dered necessary in order to preserve life, ant
sharp and vigorous skirmishes were OF fre'
uuent occurrence, and continual vigi-
lance was necessary ID order to encape as
sassinaton. Mr. Ball had inherited many
of the qualities OF mis- ancestors and his dis
eliminating tact and courageous bearing
won the respect and appreciation OF these
who shared his fatigues anG hardshps in
this wilderness. Iu tie meantime the out
break of u war with the tribes which had
persisted in annoying the sturdy pioneers
who had settled in all sections of that re-
gion turned the attention of MIR. Ball in an
other direction, and he Immediately volun-
teered to assist in maintaining the rights OF
the settlers. The result was his enlistment
in the columns formed to down" the Indi-
ans, and before peace was patched up be
was made colonel. During cessation of
hostlities he decided to remove further
west, and with the object of obtaining
moro ample livelihood determined to estsb
lished himself among the miners as trad
ing agent. With two pack mules, laden
with provisions and ammunition, be drove
through the unsettled territory, and in this
manner reached several of the mining
camps. He managed in this way to accu.
mulate some property until the lste civil
war swept everything from his possession
and he was left penniless and without
means of support Wash. Press.