The Big Stone post. (Big Stone Gap, Va.) 1890-1892, 1891-05-29

hopelessiy from symptoms q the same dread
ful disease. His opera tons irs Ne's ork ssefe
at first attended with success and ne va 3 rated
at six OF seven millions. But witt illness came
ill luck and he met with some severe reyefses
which perhaps aggravated his mental disorder.
He is a man Of fine literary tastes, generous
patron Of literary workers and an uniaiiinR
Efricrd>to those whom he fancied. Though NOT
laxative, hare known him to almost startic en-
company Of literary people with acute obser-
yations which showed profound reflection ana
reserach. His New York residence on filsn
Avenue, with not large or imposing, is iai'
Of art treasures OF great value, one OF WHICH,
q bust Of Napoleon BY Canova,i is one OF the
master pieces Of that great artist. There are
paintings too by Gallait, Paul de la Roche,
Courtat and others, with collection OF rare
bric-a- brac that give to his handsomely FUR
nished parlors classic elegance and charm.
From an authoritative source Ilearn thatthe
contractors who made the grade of the l.. q n.
road from Cumberland Gap to Big Stone tap,
lost $25O, 900 on the job. The Winstons' VINO
had a contract for forty miles of the distance,
lost nearly 100000 and the smaller contractors
in proportion. The loss is perhaps chiefly que
to the unparalleled fall ofrain last winter'whicil
not only impeded the progress OF the contrac-
tors, but by causing slides and washings, gave
them almost double work. Major OBrien'
who was at the head of the engineering corps,
was anxious that the road should be model
of its kind, and he insisted upon the compli-
ance of the contractors with every detail OF
construction. Though the loss to the contrac-
tors is deplored the rine is masterpiece OF
engineering skill, aud as near perfect as new
road can we'll be in its physical structure.
Speaking of the Winstons who have become
heavy and successful railroad contractors Rs
we'll az prominent in other respects, recalls
some incidents of their history. They were
born and raised in Hanover county, Virginia.
and, after making splendid records as confed-
crate soldiers they, with Gen. Rosser who had
married their sister, went West with hardly
money enough to pay their travelling expenses.
After much buffeting Of fate, they found them
selves at work in one capacity or another on the
Northern Pacific railroad. Gen. Rossers after
acquiring military education at West Point
and making one of the most brilliant cavalry
officers in the entire confederate army, fell
to the rank of boss Of gang of railroad hands,
and then became tho csmpany's engineer. The
experience of the Winstong was not less check
cred, and their rise to fortune only little less
raDid. Rosser made million or more and the
Winstons were close at his heels if they did
not surpass him. They became contractors
and built many thousands 'Of miles OF road
over country of easy grade and little obstrnc'
ton, and their profits were enormous. But the
construction of road through the mountain,
from one Gap in the Cumberland range to all,
other, was different matter, and doubtless
thew underestimate the untried difficulties.
From railroadng p. B. Winston has gone into
politics. He was nominated by the Democrats
of Minneapolis few years ago for Mayor and,
though he reduced the Republican majority
several thousand, he was beaten. Last fall he
wac again nominated, and elected; and, II he
so mind, he will gu up highcr, lie is unaffected,
plain spoken and straight, and ycry popular.
One always knows where to place him. Hav-
felt the value and need of friends in his time
he knows how to be one, and one OF the higher
type. Adversely teaches us how worthless are
those who appear only in fair weather and, like
the Thames in Macbeth, either fawn around or
fly from you. +. G. Winston has recently Or
ganized new Democratic paper at Minneap-
oils; he is q heavy holder of mining stocks
from which he derives large revenues and the
wealthest member of the firm. P. B. Winston,
who is now on visit to Virginia, accompanied
by Mrs. Winston, had a fancy to restore the
old family home to its former beauty and
grandeur, He has done this indifferent to the
cost, and derives the keenest enjoyment from
the expenditure. The homestead is now rally
ing point for family affections and place of
pilgrimage. Few young men have won success
in the face of such hard fortune and enjoy it
with less detraction and envy.
Hon, Jno, Young Brown, who is to be the
next Governor of Kentucky, is man Of culture
and brilliant speaker. His mind reached its
maturity at an early age, but whilc his later
years have not fulfilled the promise OF his
youth, what he has lost in brilliancy he has
doubtless supplied by more solid attainments.
am not familiar with his genealogy, but Mrs.
Brown, who will be the mistress of the Gov
errors mansion, comes Of historic lineagss
She is the daughter of the late Archibald
Dixon who represented Kentucky in the U. S.
Senate, and descepdent Of Pacahpptas, eight
generations removed. Her blood comes through
the Roles, the Bollings, the Randulphs and the
Cabels, noble strain indeed. The family
connections in Virginia led Mr.. and Mrs. Brown
to send their son Jack, back to the old State
for his education; and Gordon McCabe, who
taught him, told me he was the "noblcst fellow
he eyer saw" After leavipg McCabe's school
he attended medical college in New York,
married one of the most attractive girls ever
met, Miss Cora soutl', of Paris, Kentucky,
and has been practistpg bis profession at
Henderson. Governor Brown Ia g spirited, as
we'll as talented man, somewhat sudden and
quick in quarrel. 1t has been but o few years
since he shot at his butcher for giving him jaw
when he had demanded better beef. But he
will grace the position, and tho old mansion
will again become noted for the splendid hos
pitality so lavishly dispensed under Stevenson
and SO sadly curtaiIed under Knott.
Mr.. Sam FELTON,, President of the E. T. Va.
n n &c