The state capital., 1892-03-05

4
in Howard County, Missouri, Feb. 6,
| 1857. His father who was also his
master made an everlasting and
| most unfavorable impression on the
mind of his slave son, by his ill-treat-
ment. An instance Of his brutality
was the hanging of young I" ilhite
with bride for allowing hog to go
| in the lane with the COWS
During the war young Whites
mother, having tired of the lll-treat-
ment of herself and children at the
hands Of their brutal master, ran away
at night, to Fayette, small town nine
miles from her home to where the
Union soldiers were in camp; to them
she told her story and the condition
| Of her children whom she left behind,
which greatly effected the soldiers and
they lost no time in restoring her
children to her. Soon after this she
accepted position to cook, wash and
iron for So per month; this meaning
a home for herself and children, she
remained for year. The next two
| wears her wages were raised to $6 per
month.
Young Wiihite, who by this time
was much aid to his mother, was de-
veloping quite natural appetite for
books
In 1867, he went to Jefferson City
and worked in the family of Watson
Chapel for board and schooling. Here
he remained but a short time, the
Chapels were SO cruel to him his moth
er was forced to take him away. After
this he worked here and there for
wages from 50 to 81 per month; first i'll
the factory, then in the field and pri-
vate families until at last, he,went to
work in h hotel, where he made consid-
erable money playing the guitar and
singing for the boarders during his
leisure shours. He finally went to
st Louis where he worked at regular
day labor and studied at night, until
: in 1887. when he was enabled to secure
school to teach at Venice, I'll. He
taught successfully from that time on,
t till 1888, At this time he was advised
to give up teaching, or go to milder
climate, by physicians, on account OF
i'll health caused by over work. He
went to Texas, where he learned Of the
insanity of his mother. Here he had to
: give up teaching all together, because
! his ewes failed him. He is not blind,
! but suffers intensely at times, from
"granulation" Of lids, which impairs
his sight very much.
Mr.. Wilhite returned to st Louis,
/ where since, he has written book,
! "The Palace Car; Union and Home"
4 The last and ablest production OF VIZ
! Wilhite pen, is Sin Momoriam" OF
Mrs. f. V. Rogers. We print it here IN
! full, that all may see the merits Of Mr..
Wilhite, and Judge the development
Of the American Negro. We predict
for him an important place among the
literary folk of America.
s Thy happy home. o, blest retreat!
O There music cheered and friends dld
, meet,
I There inspirations sacred song
II Devotion breathed sublime and long.
9 There oft a merry chorus sang,
Y How sweet the thrilling music rang!
I Blessed music now | seem to hear
II Thy swelling tones SO soft and clear!
They come to me in sad sweet strains
2 Salute my sOu in soft refrains.
9 Blessed be those houIs Of music sweet
/ Blessed be those friends | there did
: greet!
IN Blessed be thee, matr'n, eaven bless q
D Blessed be thy soul that's now at rest
2 There blushing love, mysterious
= power,
/. Enshrined each heart inspired each
u hour;
q And beamy eyes, sweet faces bright
1t Impressed the soul with dreams at
v night.
L Those pleasant dreams no sadness
knew;
But did the heart with hope imbue.
There laughing jests and mirthtul zeal
u Transparent made the evening meal
II There Gordon, Morgan, Free and klnI
Would oft the Tyre of knowledge ring
For learned contentious dire they held
u And sophistry exposed and quelled:
3 With logic, philosophic lore,
~ They'd wisdom's ocean deep explore,
7. For pearls of truth some point to eide
For pearls of truth, the scholars prlde
AS diamonds high refractiye powers
=, Transfuse the light in radient showers
10 So wit shot forth its brilliant ray,
re Ia rapturous splendor closed each day
Endearing friends these bright charm
shed
But all these charms with thee haV
o, sped.
u Passed are those happy days serene;
u The ringing laugh, the festive scene;
Those merry friends, the pleasing JeE
" The music sweet, inspired and bless
And where the light of joy e'er burne
rs now to gloom and sadness turned!
ne How cherries now this house ono
a thine,
~ These rooms, thy soul once made dlvln
Il With comfort. preparation neat,
"a And kindest words, sad hearts to gree
= How lifeless, silent, cold this place,
\ Where once did smile ma ernal grac
W Where once a calm domestic life;
Oh Was spent, remote from jars and strli
Remote from strife, thy thought refine
Devout; to good thy life inclined.
rs Within the Kings highway OF right
Thou lived'st a burning christian llgE
f97 uiumed within by light divine,
Gil Though all thy life "The Light" did
20, shine,
Ia Arise We friends of her, arise!
Ind waken every note of woe.