Arizona republican., 1892-09-09

favored, but for the reason that he couldn't keep out of "fuss," and lived in an era full of provocation to lively minded young fellows wearied with humdrum; and then he was a minister's son, born to the vice of erraticism, if not to that of genius Wheat was a Christian, a man of culture and sen. timent, with an abundance of pride and jealous self respect thrownin. The Tigers were toughs from the toughest of all ren. dezvouses for hard characters, the New Orleans levees. How the Tigers and the lamb came to take the warpath together is strange story.
 Col. Chatham Rober1eau Wheat was born Virginia cavalier an F. F. V. of Huguenot blood, and was bred to manhood in that nursery ground of soldiers, the state of Tennessee. His grandfather on his mothers side was that Gen. Roberdeau, of Philadelphia, who footed Continental bills to the tune of thousands, raised troops and led them, built forts and defended them, opened lead mines to manufacture bullets and put in good work generally in aid of revolution.
 The streak of the old patriots blood that fell to Bob took fire when the Mexi- can war broke out, and he was the first re- cruit on the roll at Memphis, where he was a law student just out of his teens. Wheat's father was responsible for the milder elements of the young mans na- ture He was rector of Christ church at Nashville. and within a few hours after the call to arms reached the Mississippi valley, two war letters were travelling in opposite directions over the stage route between Memphis and Nashville. One let ter was from the peace loving rector to the young law student, saying in effect: My son, don't be carried off your feet by the war news. Wait awhile, and if more troops are really needed, and think it your duty to volunteer, you may go. But gird your loins in patience until that hour comes.
 This was the letter that passed the other on it's way to the rectory in Nash vile; Dear Pa-'A chip of the old block l knew you would be ashamed of me if did not volunteer as soon as the call came. My name l am proud to say is the very first on the list. have been unanimously elected second lieutenant of a company of cavalry. Please send Jim by some careful hand"
 The Jim asked for was highly trained blooded horse, the pride and pet of the family, and he was soon making paces to- ward Memphis on the way to the Rio Grande. Wheat served in the Tennessee Mounted volunteers in Gen. Taylor's bat ties and afterward organized and led Gen Scott's bodyguard. His men were we'll mounted, elaborately uniformed and equipped and well up in the ornamental work of headquarters nonsense, and per haps the young soldier lived too much amid wars dazzling splendor and thought that was the whole of it.
 The scattering of the volunteers after peace was declared landed hosts of them in New Orleans, where the "Jingo" spirit was always up against our southern neigh bors. Wheat settled there and quickly made fame as a criminal lawyer. He was in politics, and was a success as a stump orator, but yet he was not happy. At any rate he couldn't see war flag floating on the broad surface of the earth but he must get behind or in front of it.
 His first adventure as a foreign com blatant was with the Spanish-American patriot, Lopez, in the Cuban invasion of 1850. Lopez was an exiled Spaniard, whom the Cuban revolutionists had won to their cause, and raised two expeditions in the United States to invade the little island and stand by the insurgent natives. Wheat was leader of the New Orleans contingent and sailed from that port with several hundred men He had secret orders from Lopez, and on opening them at sea found directions to meet Lopez at certain point and proceed to Cuba.
 Wheat summoned his men, and in a stir ring speech told them that they must at once throw off all disguise, haul down the stars and stripes, and like Hagar in the wilderness, when cast off from the protec- tion of Abraham, call upon the Almighty to deliver them from peril and distress. While the flag was lowered he hailed the crowd as soldiers of the liberating army of Cuba" closing with the challenge: Docs any one doubt the propriety of our undertakings Does any one fear to go for