Wichita eagle., 1889-04-19
LEWIS & CO..
A SAD STORY OF PERSECUTION.


WASHINGTON, April 1s.--The appoint
ment yesterday of Henry NJ. Dixon. of
Mississippi, as a cadet 70 West Point,
brought to light sad family history,
probably without parallel in the tragic
feature which marks it. Several days ago
feeble old lady was ushered into the
office of Private Secretary Halford and
asked him TO present to President Harri-
son an application from her for the APP
pointment of her grandson, youth of Is,
as a cadet to West Point. Her story
deeply interested Mr.. Halford and he took
her directly TO President Harrison. To
him she repeated the tale, which he
said afterwards greatly moved him.
At his suggestion, Mrs. Dixon,
for that was her name, prepared
a statement in detail of the experiences of
herself and family which accompanied her
formal application for her grandson's ap-
pointment.
From this statement it appears that Mrs
Annie E. Dixon is the widow of Major
Henry F. Dixon, the only man in Fauquier
county, Virginia, who voted for Lincoln
for president in 1850. He had 10 send TO
Washington for the ballot which he de-
posted in the box with his left hand,
cooked revolver being in his right. He
had been warned that party of men had
sworn to kill him if he voted
for Lincoln. Some time afterward
he went to Alexandria. Va, on
business to be gone two days. After
he had gone friend informed Mrs: Dixon
her husband would be shot on the platform
as he alighted from the cars If he returned
She telegraphed her husband not to return
home and he did lot see his home again
for four years He served through the war
as one of the defenders of the capital and
was afterwards commissioned as paymas-
ter. During the war Mrs. Dixon suffered
much persecution and was several times
taken prisoner Their property was all
DESTROYED, and six weeks after the war
closed Major Dixon was assassinated by
an armed confederate officer. be-
ing shot in the back His family
was left in destitute circumstances and
at the request of General Grant, who
was acquainted with circumstances Post
master General Randall gave the widow
employment in his department.
After about ten years OF service she left
it and is now old and feeble, pennless ana
without home. Her son, Henry NJ.
Dixon, went south after the war, a mere
boy. and married in Mississippi at the age
of Is his wife being native OF that state.
He opposed the Democratic ticket at his
home in Yazoo City, and in 1879 he was
warned by a mob to leave the the town.
This be refused to do and In August, leIp.
he was SDOL uDNu lIUtl bti4iuu rs "dH MS
father before him. His wife did not long
survive him and six small children were
thus bereft of their parants' care and love.
II was for the eldest Of these, named for
his father, that Mr. Dixon asked the ap-
pcintment. Accompanying the applica-
ton was package of papers that were
muteiy eloquent. One Of these was a let
ter taken from the hip pocket Of Henry VI.
Dixon, through which the fatal bullet had
cut its deadly way. Another was letter
from his widow to his widowed mother
full of tenderness and pathos- These with
the rest were referred to Secretary Proctor
who was as deeply touched as the presi-
dent, who determined TO appoint the boy
if there was a place for him. So deep was
the secretary's interest that he personally
looked up the record Of Mrs. Dixon
and was satisfied Of the CORRECTNESS
of her statements. There was a vacancy
in the list Of cadets at large caused by fall
ure Of an appoiutee TO fulfill the require
ments, and greatly to the qualification Of
President Harrison he today received no
tice from Secretary Proctor that Mrs Dix
on had been notified Of the appointment OF
her grandson. II may be ADDED that the
bov, who has been attending school at
Quincy, il most highly recommended by
his teachers and rector as well as neriting
appointment because Of his accomplish
ments and worth.