The Russellville Democrat., 1891-09-24
THE FLETCHER FAMILY.

THE FLETCHER FAMILY.
 Col. W. Jasper Blackburn says of the Fletcher family in the last issue of Black burns Free South:
 It is safe to assert that there is not in the state more worthy set of men or group of better citizens than what is known as the Fletcher fsmily-formerly of the Saline county region, but more recently mainly of Little Rock proper. It is composed now of four living broth CTS, viz: Thomas, John G., H. L. and Jeff. There were originally other brothers, we do not know how many, but these four we believe are all that are now living, all large, healthy, and substantial citizens, in every sense-"Old Tom," the elder, being the physical ''runt," not weighing quite two hundred. He recently celebrated his golden wedding, and is 72 years of age, and carries cane, but never uses it-scarcely ever touches the end to the ground. Tom Fletcher is somewhat of curiosity in his way, in some respects-is as honest as the day is loug-in fact, the Fletcher brothers are all that way-but some how Tom has acquired that special designation; how especially so we can hardly tell, unless because he was born in the same locality we were-up on Fourche d' Mas, in Randolph county, this state, and about the same period of time. And it is said we somewhat favor each other, but how it happened may nev- CT be known. Such freaks of na- ture are queer and unaccountable. But we venture it is an honest favor all round. But Tom Fletcher is not only an honest man, who has accu mulsted a safe competency in an honest way, but is gentleman Of the very best order of practical sense, which he has diligently improved all Iis industrious and laborious life we say laborious, for many years of his earlier life were spent between the blow handles, aod with the shovel and the hoe, farming with his hands," But now, in his ripe old age he does not have to Indulge manual labor, though still active and physically robUst-indeed re- markedly well preserved, both phys ically and mentally-and is to-day among the best informed men of the state, and amply competent to fill well and safely and acceptably to all honest men it's chief executive office, for which he has been and still is urged. We were glad to note tie recent celebration of his golden wedding-which happy event sug gested this article-and take pleasure in complimeDting ard congratulating the venerable and faithful and we know happy couple.
 But Col. John G. Fletcher, next oldest to Thomas, is the most prom inent for governor, and has been for the last two contests; position for which he is eminently fitted, and to which he is entitled at the hands of the honest masses, and to whose services in that capacity the honest masses are entitled. In the way o. statesmanship, he is no ordinary man, thoughtful, well posted and practical, nor indeed is he an ordi- nary man in any commanding rela- ton of life, but a telling and marked success.
 H. L. Fletcher is the next oldest of the four living brothers; is at present serving as mayor of Little Rock, in which capacity John G. served two terms before him. H. l.. is "solid brick" good honest citizen of sound and safe intel ligence.
 Jeff. Fletcher is the youngest of these four living Fletcher brothers; is simply farmer, and the least of all politician-that is, in a profes. sional sense seems to have an sbid- ing contempt for such calling; and yet, had his talent or taste run m that channel, his bright native intelligence and clear natural percep- ton would evidently have made of him a marked success in that line. Jeff. is the finest looking man of any of the Fletchers-but all are gentle men of commanding person and fine appearance and with briIliancy of mind quite equal if not superior to any; and yet with no seeming politi. cal or public ambition whatever.
 Altogether we admire and like the Fletcher family of Little Rock; and the public generally admires and