Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-03-26
MADE MAN BY A SOUND rHRAsH1Na

An unpublished Incident in the Life Of Gov.
From the Chicago Tribune.
a lew days ago an incident In the life Of Gov.
Cariin came to light which has never yet found
its way into print, which IL undoubtedly
true and which illustrates most forsibly
the greatness Of the man. John G. Reeves.
the receiver Of the land Office .. Shawnee
town. was sent to Edwardsville to take tenn
porsry charge of the office there. Reeves
was powerfully muscular man, over six
feet tall, an athlete and q "sure shot" A
collage graduate, he had been sent west to
take charge of the Shawneetown land Office,
but spent much Of his time in supervising
other Offices and disentangling the affairs
when complications caused by inefficient Off
GERS arose. He was quiet and reserved, yet
withal genial companion when once he be-
came well acquainted. He boarded at the "tav-
ern," but spent nearly all of his time when not
eating or sleeping in the Office. 80 that he
made few ncquaintances In the town. One
evening he went to supper, and upon entering
the office Char room it was then called) he
noticed sitting in chair a small sized man,
who would not weigh more than 125 pounds,
and who apparently was sick. In q few
moments the door opened and in stalked man
fully as large and muscular as Reeves. He
looked around the room q moment then went
up to the sick man, who was a stranger to him,
made some remark and closed by slapping him
In the face with his open hand, but in such
violent manner an to knock him off Of the chair
AS the invalid arose Mr.. Reeves expostulated
with the assailant, who at once informed
him that il he did not like it he could
have some Of the same medicine" The
words were scarcely out of his mouth
when Reeves, with one bound. jumped
from his chair and dealt the man blow in the
a hat ami him, nj, ~o1s
on to the floor; he followed up the blow by
jumping on the PROSTATE form Of the man and
raining blows upon his face with almost light
ming like rapidity. The noise brought the
landlord and one or two others to the scene.
who by main strength, pulled Reeves from
his victim. The latter arose, looked around,
and staggered out Then there was such con-
sternation as had not been known in Edwards
vile for long time. Mr.. Reeves was informed
that the man he had assaulted was none other
than Tom Carlin, the recognized bully" of all
that county. man OF whom all persons were
afraid, though all admitted that when sober he
was a good citizen. Mr.. Reeves did not seem
to be at all alarmed, but went about his bust
ness as usual.
The evening Of the third day, while he was
alone in his office. in walked man with
bruised and bandaged face, who looked very
much as though he had been in q cyclone.
Are you Mr.. Reeves?" he asked. ''Yes, that is
my name; what can do for you?" "My names
Tom Carlln. I'm the fellow you whipped at
the tavern the other night and came in to say
that you done right; l was o coward to knock
that sick man over and deserved all got"
Il am very glad that you feel that way about
it, replied Reeves. well, l do, and I'm in
earnest. Now, say, I've been bully just as
long as l want to be; want to learn to read
and write and cipher and try to make man of
myself, and l want you to help me if
you will" Mr.. Reeves expressed not only
his Willingness, but also the pleasure it would
give him to teach Csrlin while he remained
in Edwardsviile. Every night Carlin was on
hand and he was a most apt pupil.
Reeves, however, did not remain long, but
soon after he left Carlin married q woman who
was quite we'll educated, and he pursued his
studies under her tuition. It was no easy matter
for him to break away from the companions
with whom he had SO long associated, but be
had the moral courage to do SO, and removed
to Greene county. He was the first sheriff Of
that county, and located its present county seat
and donated considerable land for public pur-
poses. He was twice elected to the state senate.
and in 1888 was elected as the sixth governor
OF the state. 1t is said he always regarded
Reeves one of his best friends, and, as sheriff,
senator and governor, frequently consulted
him as to private and public affairs.