The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1890-07-31
A Manned Confederate Veteran Who
Deserves Aid,


Upon his return home a few DAYS ago,
Col. ". H. S. BurgwyD found the follow
ing letter awaiting him. Ascertaining
the writer to be what he represents him.
self to be, and worthy of aid, we have
asked permission to publish the letter
that attention may be drawn to his case
in the hope that others will contribute to
his wants and necessities His references
are first-class, and in addition thereto we
may state that Mr.. A. B. Daingerfeld,
cashier of the Bank of Henderson, knows
the man and says his statement is true.
We have been requested to say that any
who may feel disposed to contribute to
the aid of Mr.. West can do so through the
editor of the GOLD LEAF and public &C
acknowledgement will be made of the same.
or they may send direct to him if they
prefer. The following is the letter to Col.
Burgwyn:
CUMBERLAND, \. C., July 4th, 1890.
Col. W. II. s. BURGwYN,
Henderson, n. c.
My Dear Comrdde You may be sur
prised to get a letter from me, but l hope
and trust you will read it carefully and
give it your prayerful consideration and
see if your kind heart will sympathize
with me in my deplorable condition.
Colonel, | would say to you that en-
listed in Company {, 3rd n. c. T., at the
age of Is years and went with that regi-
ment direct to the seat of war in Virginia
and that | was in Is hard fought bat
ties and some % or 30 severe skirmshes.
was in all of the famous battles that
the old bloody 3rd took part in, until l
fell in the great charge at Gettysburg.
There / received a wound that has ruined
me for life, and to-day l am one of the
most pitiful objects living on this earth
am helpless, terribly emaciated, nothing
but skin and bones, and now the worst
comes, | am fast going blind; SO you see,
dear Colonel, that am placed in one of
the most deplOrable conditions that be-
falls humanity; and with it all am pen
nlless and poor. Six years ago l had to
take my bed and there | have been ever
since. have not walked step in all
this time | have been down so long that
| have exhausted all of my means, and to-
day finds me in n suffering condition for
1000 ana falmenC 10 cover my poor
wounded body, and | come to you, dear
comrade, for help. am badly in need
and if my friends don't held me my home
must be in the much dreaded poor house
Your humble servant,
d. II. WEST
Late Company {, Bird y. {. $. T.
7. ). You may think strange of me
for begging abroad, but | will explain
why do so. live in poor, thinly set
tied country and the people are too poor
to help me, so have to beg abroad and
among those who have some feeling for
worthy objects of charity and among
those who are willing and able to give.
l have written to several prominent ger
tlemen of this State, some of whom have
given me assistance. l saw by the news
papers that you are man of means and
carry in your bosom the true spirit OF
philanthropy and this is why come to
you for help and l do hope, my dear
friend, that you may give me little as
sistance. As We are not personally &C
quainted, l will refer you to gentlemen in
different parts OF the State as to my con-
dition, truth, reliability, &c DIR. W. G.
McDuffie, Sheriff r. W. Hardie, Major
W. F. Campbell, of Fayetteville. \. C., Hon.
Swift Galloway. Goldsboro, Hon. ]. S.
Carr, Durham. Col W. l.. DeRosset,
Wilmington; or to any citizen OF Cum
berland. Y. G.