The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1890-09-13
KIT JENKINS.
The virginia Beegar on Horseback
history Ola Unique Character.

The virginia Beggar on Horseback
history Ola Unique Character.
Among the many hardy noun
taineers who spent their lives in that
range of the Blue Ridge mountains,
extending through the western coun,
ties of what is known as Piedmont
Va, none gained more notoriety Or
was as we'll known as Old Kit, the
Beroar on Horseback. Kit was q
becgar from instinct, and from early
life exhibited a great aversion for
work. Though the owner OF 4 pro,
ductive mountain farm, Kit spent his
DAYS roaming through the country
begging from door to door, and leav-
inc his farm to be titled on shares by
his neighbors. The beginning of the
war found him with a family consist
inc of a wife, three sons and a daugh-
ter. The boys entered the army at
the beginning of hostilitieS, and were
all three killed at the seven days
battle around Richmond.
After this Kit had clear sailing as a
beggar. Armed with Il paper stating
the sacrifices he had made upon his
country's altar, the open-hearted Vir-
ginians responded Literally to his APP.
peals for charity. He made frequent
trips to the army and manya Confed-
crate has shared with him his last
dollar. Kit was something of a poll
tician. and while he could never be
bribed to vote against his party. his
candidates were bled freely and he
was always flush in election times.
He was great hand for associations
and camp meetings, and attended all
within fifty miles around. Heinvari'
ably managed to get a seat upon the
stand, or, failing in that, in the amen
corner, and of course was always 6
member of the denomination holding
forth at the time.
Kit had fine apple orchard upor
his place, and when it bore he con
verified the crop into brandy. HI
never reported, ana never paid any
revenue lax. The officers seeming tc
regard him rs Il kind of privileged
character, never raided his place o.
caused his arrest. | once asked him
the largest haul he ever made at ont
haul. He replied a rich farmer o
Loudoun county, whose name is IA
miliar to almost every man in thu
State, gave him twenty dollars.
Late in the winter OF 1870 Kit los
mis- horse by death, and, being short o
funds, made desperate efforts to Dor
row one for a protracted trip. Fail
ing in this, he borrowed the only hors
OF, a neighboring mountain farmer TO
the purpose of going to mill, a few
miles down in the valley: but instead
made tracks for Alexandria, and neve
pulled rein until he arrived in tina
ancient city. Here he hunted up 1
well-known broker who had one
lived in Rappahannock county. Th
broker, a whole-souied, literal Virgin
ian, took him down on "change" AM
introduced him to the members. The!
gave him a warm reception, boarded
him for two weeks at the best hotel il
the city, had him upon the floor ever.
day, and when he left contributed lib
orally to his fund. After an absenc
of three weeks Kit returned home
| richer by several hundred dollars, sat
isfed his neighbor for the use of hi
horse, and purchased for himself on
of the best in the county.
The last time the writer saw hi
was in Luray, in the fall OF 1884, pass
ing over the bridge that spans the
'Hawksbill, y in the center OF the
turn. i spied him standing near ;
photograph gallery. \ long cher
ished idea of procuring his picture
for a New York illustrated paper,
who were anxious to procure it, tool
possession of me. Is approached hin
upon the subject, and he readily
consented, but said his horse was no
with him Knowing that there wa:
horse in town that very much re-
semb!ed his, l went in search of him
But upon my return met Kit in the
finest hack OF the town, in company
with some Northern capitalists, goine
out to inspect the caverns. He died
shortly afterwards, and the picture
was never taken, much to my disap-
pointment and that of distin.
guished Virginia artist, who wished
to transfer it to canves.
As compared with Beau Hickman
Kit lacked much in polish and educa-
ton, but for working upon the sym
pathies of the people he had few,
if any, superiors. For half a century
or more he begged thro' the valley
and Piedmont, Va. At first the peo-
pie gave him their pity, then from
their force of habit, and with some
it became a second nature. Many an
old farmer felt himself sighted if Kit
failed to make his semi-annual visits.
In his native county of Rappahan-
mock, high up upon a spur of the
blue Ridge and beneath the
shadow of the old "kag," Kit sleeps
his last sleep. The place overlooks
the famous I. 7. Valley and for miles
around the scenery is of the grandest
description. No stone save a large
mountain boulder marks the spot, but
there are many Virginians of today,
ard perhaps somelin our city. who,
gathered around their hearth stones,
have ofitimes listened as some one
related the adventures of "Old Kit,
the beggar on horseback.
Rube Burrows, the noted highway
man, is said to have made $4,000 by
murders and robbery. Kit was honest
in all his transactions, was never
known TO harm a living soul, and
died in charity with all the world.
Peace to his ashes; may the sod of
the "Blue Ridge rest lightly on his
grave.
Roanoke, Sept. 1s, 1890. X. Y. Y.