The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-07-10
Drank With John Smith Ut"


| Perhaps one OF the oldest and at the SAINT
| time brightest characters in early Missouri wa
| Col John Smith, IT" of Saline county. He
| was a native Of Saline county says the kansa,
| City Times and prosperous planter and slave
owner in the '4Os He was an eccentric
| genius ready 20 shoot and then to shake hands
| after explanations. For his fearlessness he
was feared. but his generous disposition made
| him many warm friends
| Col. Smith had all his letters addressed
| 'JOnn Smith, t. In explanation of this sin
gular change OF addition TO his name, he would
| state that there were many John Smiths in
| the country it wGs impossible to make dis
tinction without some guiding mark. "When a
fellow gets letter from me, " he would add,
he will know at once wrote il" And be did.
John S. 1T, became noted character. Many
good stories are told of him. One of the best is
that which the Hon. James S. Rollins used to
tell with particular relish whenever some in
quisite yongster would ask him why he never
in his later life made temperance speeches,
whereas in his younger days his fame as q cold
water advocate was not bounded by county
lines
Whenever this interrogatory was propouuded
him, Maj. Rollins would let the lashes Of his
left eye rest quietly upon his cheek and for ten
minutes ne would entertain the company with
the story Of the first time be met John Smith,
IT and the imDortaut bearing which this
event had upon his course as a temperance
lecturer Condensed, the story runs this way;
Mai. Rollins and the sheriff of Boone county
had gone down 10 Jefferson City TO attend to
some business in the supreme court.
They went 70 the R sing Sun hotel, kept by
William Gordon. This was the famous old
hotel of the capital. 1t was a rambling frame
structure just opposite the old state house. In
front was gorgeous delineation of a rising
sun in gold and curlycues which gave the hos
telTy its name.
Mai. Rollins and the sheriff registered and
then sat down to enjoy before the evening
meal a contempative view of the sign of the
Rising Sun
toIl 5pa LOOKING ipdividuai drasead in tho
fashion of the prosperous man of the world
strolled into the waiting room, glanced over the
register, and then sauntered carelessly across
to where Maj Rollins and his friend were feast
ing their aesthetic eye Upopithe gorgeous rising
sun.
1T, " tor he II was.
Yes, SIR
Maj. Jeemss Rollinsi'
Eyes "
Make speech OCCASIONALLY"
80. yes"
Temperance and all that"
Yes. sir. am proud of my position on the
question. Proud Of it, SIR"
MY name is Smith-John Smith IT.
Glad to meet you, Mr. Smith"
Wont you join me In a social glass Mai Rol-
linsY
"Who-I sir-I drink with you? Why, what
do you mean"'
Gordon keeps some mighty fine liquor at the
bar, major. Better Join me in a glass "
At this point, host Gordon of the Rising Sun
interrupted Maj. Rollins. who white with
anger and earnestly implored him to drink
with the man.
That's John Smith, T." whispered the land
lord. He will kill you sure. Please drink
with him.
But Maj Rollins was furious. He again re
fused the politely worded invitation to test the
landlords liquor.
Maj Jeems s. Rollins" said Smith. IT,
drawing pistol from bis hip pocket and pre-
senting it at Maj Rollins breast my friend
Gordon keeps mighty fine liquor, sir mighty
fine liquor Better try glass with me"
Maj Rollins used to say that while he listened
to these slowly drawed words as they fell from
the lips of John Smith, 'T, 4" he actually felt
love for whisky rising in his bosom
why, certainly, Mr. Smith, I'll drink with
you, said the major.
Won't you invite your friend 10 join usf'
asked Smith Tipping his pistol in the direction
ofchs Boone county sheriff, who sat with gap
ing mouth and staring eyes watching the dfa-
matte scene before him.
The sheriff was only too glad to accept the
invitation The three proceeded to the bar,
where Gordon best was sampled.
Mai. Rollins often said that this meeting with
John Smith, IT, " was the reason why he never
delivered another temperance lecture.