The morning news., 1892-03-26
BENEFITS OF A rHRAsaMo.
It Was the Making Of Tom Carlin,
Bully, and Afterward Governor.

II Was the Making Of Tom Carlin,
bully, snd Afterward Governor.
Springfield OlLi Letter to CHICAGO Tsfbuae.
"A few days ago an incident in the life Of
Gov. Carlin came to light which has never
yet found its way into print, which is un-
douotedly true and which illustrates most
forcibly the greatness Of the man. John
Q. Reeves, the receiver Of the land office at
Shawneetown, was sent to z iwardsville to
take temporary charge Of the Office there.
Reeves was powerfully muscular man,
over feet tall, an athlete and "Sure shot y
college graduate, be had been sent west
to take charge Of the ShaWneetown land
Office, but spent much OF his time in super
vising other offices and disentauQliug the
affairs when complications caused By inef-
t1cient officers arose. He was quiet and re-
served, yet withal a genial companion when
once be became well acquainted. he
boarded at the tavern" but spent nearly
all OF bis time when not eating or sleeping
In the Office. so that hsmade few acquaint-
ances in the town. One evening he went
to supper. and upon entering the office-bar-
room it was then celled-he noticed sitting
IN chair small-sizsd man, who would not
weigh more than lZ5 pounds, and who ap~
parently was sick. In few moments the
door opened and in stalked a man fully as
large aud muscular as Reeves. He looked
around the room a moment, then went Up TO
the sick man. who was a stranger to him,
made some remark, and closed by
slappiDg him in the face with the open
hand, but In such a violent manner as to
knock him OF the chair. As the invalid
arose, Mr.. Reeves expostulated with the as
sailaut, who at once informed him that il
he did not like it che could have some of
the same medicine" The words were
scarcely out Of bis mouth when Reeves,
with one bound. jumped from his chair and
dealt the man blow in the face that sent
him spra1Iing over q chair aud onto the
floor; he followed up the blow by jumping
on the PROSTATE form Of the man and rain
ing blows upon his face with almost light
ning-like rapidity. The noise brought the
landlord asd 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 CONSERVATION as had not been known
in Edwardsville for long time.
Mr.. Reeves was informed that the man ne
had assaulted was none other than Tom
Carlin, the recognized "bully" Of all that
country, G man of whom all persons were
afraid, though all admitted that when sol er
he was a good citizen. Mr.. Reeves did not
seem to be at all charmed, but went about
his business as usual.
The evening of the third day, while he
was alone in his Office, in walked a man
with a bruised and bandaged face, who
looked very much as though he had bsen in
a cyclone.
"Are you Mr.. Reevesm he asked.
YES, that is my name; what can do for
you!n
my names Tom Carlin. Pm the fellow
you whipped Gt tine tavern the other night,
aud l came In to say that you had done
right; l was q coward to knock that sick
man over, and l deserved ali got"
II am very glad that you feel that way
about it," replied Reeves.
well, do, and I'm in earnest Now,
say, I've oesn bully just as long as want
to be; | want TO learn TO read aud write and
cipher, and try to make a man Of myself
and l want You to help me II you will"
Mr.. Reeves expressed not only his will
ingDess, but also the pleasure it weuld give
him to teach Carlin while he remained in
Edwardsville. Every night Carlln was on
hand, and he was a most apt pupil. Reeves,
however, did not remain long, but soon
alter he lefs Carlln married a woman who
was quite well educated, aud no pursued his
studies under her tuition. Il was no easy
matter for him to break away from the
companions with whom he had so long as
sociated, but he had the moral courage tc
do so, and removed TO Greene county. He
WAS the first sheriff of that county and 10.
Gated its county seat and donated cousidera-
bic land for public purposes. He was twice
elected to the state Senate, and In 1888 was
elected as the sixth governor of tbs state
1t is said he always regarded Reeves as one
OF his best friends, and, as sheriff, senator
and governor frequently consulted him as
to private and public affairs.