The intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1887-1891, 1889-05-11

thail JOhn Edwards" said the COVER
nor. "Thongh knew him before the
war and in that struggle he esq oused
one side and | the other, i'm friendship
we were never parted"
Then the governor grew reminiscent.
81 met Edwards, think, in '57, when
lac came to Lexington. He could not
have been over II and at that time
showed little of the brilliancy of after
years. lie was exceedingly modest
and unassuming and was possessed of
that same notable politeness which
always marked the man. In Lexiny-
ton he learned his trade as a printer
and also did some local work. But OF
any promise he gave little. Then the
war broke ont and did not see him in
many years.
THE SURRENDER OF FRANK JAMES,
"Ies," continued the governor, sit
was virtually Edwards who surrender
ed Frank james. But of an ignoble
motive IN the act there was not a trace.
Edwards simply came with James as q
Trend. That was in the fall of 'S2. |
Of course knew of Edwards intimacy
With the James boys, and as governor
often urged him TO give the boys up.
III they are Innocent, as you insist
told him, this will give them chance
to clear their name OF the crimes charg-
ed against them. 1T you deliver them
up you will receive the 500, 900 reward
and can do with it as you please, give
them half or keep it ALL"
Governor Crittenden,' he replied,
III you were to lay million dollars at
my feet | would never surrender those
men, That was the man. He had
known the James boys in the army
aud they had become fast friends. He
regarded them as prosecuted men, who
were products of the war. Then his
sympathies had great deal to do with
his position. The James boys were
down, and he was always for the under
dog i'll the fight. For years he was
their friend and adviser. But do not
believe John Edwards ever counseled
them to do one wrong deed. His friend
ship for the boys was sincere, but he
was not lawbreaker. When Jesse
James was shot, in April, 1882, Edwards
wrote one of the finest editorials,
think that was ever perused. 1t was
full OF sympathy and sorrow aud ex-
tenuation. But | think he said that
the career of the gang was ended, and
advised Frank to surrender. pledged
my word that Frank should have a
fair trial and that was all | never
promised him the slightest immunity
from the law. One day in the fall in
walked Edwards with Frank. He sim
ply said, Governor, this is Frank
James, 'DO you surrender himp' [
asked. If SO $4,000 is at your dispo-
SAL Not if there was a hundred
thousand pendant on those words
would say them. come simply as a
friend.'
81 think there was great deal of
herOlsm in those Words" said the gov
crnor and his eyes glistened as he
spoke. Edwards life was one long
struggle with poverty and an ungov.
ernable passion that think was moth
ing else than disease.
The greatest and noblest trait of
Edwards" he continued, "was his
tenderness OF heart. Aud with 1t was
united a sense of honor aud chivalric
spirit that had few equals. His respect
Tor women, too, was another notable
trait. In all his years of journalistic
work | do not believe he ever penned a
line that would put to blush a woman's
cheek, or that could not be taken into
the family and be read by its children.
And of fear he never had thought. |
a Drawer man never trod the earth. |
lie was educated to believe that duel |
ling was the proper method OF settling |
Il dispute. If Il man insults you, chal- |
lenge him and in fair and equal fight,
Kill him or be killed. This was his |
lfllint Inf hIc haort
4 wOman's. And here think Law his
Iault. John Edwards never had but
)ne enemy and that was himself. Strong
in his convictions and his friendships,
ne never stabbed foe behind his back.
La all my thirty years acquaintance
With the man L never heard him say an
lnkind word of friend or foe. Poor
John, he died the victim of a passion
ne could not overcome. Again and
Igain he swore to quit, but it was too
strong for him. Oh, what a struggle
I was! But the struggle is over now.
Peace TO his quiet ashes! He indeed
lved to exemplify the little couplet
hat the bravest are the tendercst.
JUDGE PHILIPS TRIBUTE.
"Yes, | have heard the news" said
Judge Philips and his face bore evil
ience of the deep and sincere sorrow
t had caused. "What brilliant fel-
0w and what a pathetic life! John
edwards intellect was rare garden
iled with the choicest flowers. In
imagery | doubt if he was ever sur.
passed. His reading was enormous but
when and where gained it has always
'een puzzle TO me. He seemed to
AVE read every thing and his mind
vas perfect stOrehouse and from il
here was nothing lost This | suppose
as one great secret of his power. But +,
Iow or where he read cannot COM
'rehend. His life was one of constant =
oil and struggle. =
"No, | do not regard his sympathy !
n the James boys as singular. 1t was =
he outcome of the mans nature. He =
egarded the James boys as a product. :
lie had known them in the war and g
elleved them always kind hearted
zen, made by circumstances outcasts !
'om the society OF their fellow men. .
es, he was his own worst enemy and !,
lere's the great pity. But with all his
:nlts loved him sIiil. | never knew
nobler hearted, Drawer, lenderer +
lau." :,
''The best words | can sav Tor John n
iwards.' said Marshal Gates, "was h
Is friendship for young men. Strong \
partisan as he was, no one ever asked :,
II help from him and was refused r.
Is heart always seemed open to a i,
'ung man who was honestly endeav- .,
ing to rise"
SAID Collector Burns John Ed =,
ards was the most brilliant writer in ~
e west. | recOllcct some years ago n
twards reported notable scene in ri
mgrcss. Whitelaw Reid pronounced ~
one of the finest pieces of word or
hitting he had ever read. M
THE LATE JOHN N. EDWARDS. be