The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1893-11-09

Washington Star
Capt. William Fitzhugh Gordon. who
recently died in this city, had most
oventful career. He was member OF n
Virginia family. Born at Warrenton,
Va, September IS, 1884, he was care
fully educated at home, then at Wheel
ing, and in Baltimore. Having deter
mined upon a professional career, he
served his journalistic apprenticeship
on the Parkersburg, W. Va, Gazette,
then owned by one OF his unclcs, and
few years later returned to Baltimore
to accept a position on tho Sun.
The famous actress, Agnes Robertson,
afterward Mrs. Dion Boucicault, was
creating sad havoc just then among tho
impressionablc hearts OF Baltimorc's
male population. both young and old.
Young Gordon fell deeply in love with
her, and wrote play for herr entitled
Agnes" which she is said TO have pro-
duced successfully abroad. But she
fitted her American lover. nevertheless,
and married the famous playwright,
from whom, as 10 well known, she was
subsequently divorced.
This disappointment in love affected
him deeply, and he gladly welcomed
the opportunity for change OF scene,
afforded him by even so sad an event
us the deatho OF hisunCle at Parkersburg,
who ieft him his paper, the Gazette, rs
n legacy. Gordon returned to the scene
OF his early journalistic life and devo'
ted himself industriously to the man
agement OF his newly acquired publica-
ton.
Another magnet soon attracted the
heart OF the young man i'll the person
of charming lady OF Clarksburg, in
the same part OF the then still undivi-
ded) state OF Virginia. Loves true
course did run smooth this time, and
Gordon moved his newspaper to this
now, for him, so important place mar
red his lady love and seemed to have
reached the goal OF his ambition, when
the long-gathering war clouds finally
burst over his unhappy native land.
a CONFEDERATE CAPTAIN.
Like all OF his family. the warm
blooded southerner cast his lot with his
dearly beloved Virginia, and raising
company OF cavalry among his friends
in Clarksburg and vicinity, joined
Stonewall Jackson's army with it. His
gallant conduct earned high praise from
this famous general, and the brilliant
military prospect which opened before
the young confederate captain would
have been probably inlly realized, had
not his daring got the better oil his
Judgment, with most disastrous results.
Prompted by yearning to see his
little family at Clarksburg, Captain
Gordon ventured to visit hisShome at
that place during the early part OF the
summer OF 1863. Since lie had left his
family behind, tho state OF West Vir-
ginia had been created, and ClarksburG
was within the Union lines. Gordon
was soon arrested on charge Of being
engaged in recruing for the enemy
within the federal lines. and taken 10
TT. McHenry, near Baltimore. The
hardships OF the confinement there
soon ripened within him and seven or
eight others plan for escape, but
favorable opportunity never presented
ltSell 10 carry Inc WeIl-lulN EShSAAS IHbS
execution before the prisoners were
sent away to Fort Delaware.
Captain Gordon bore his fate with
rare fortitude, even good humoredly, as
NAV be seen IRON an amusing Notice
to Guests" written by him upon one OF
the doors of the easement, and which
was given place in book subsequent
ly written by feilow.prisoner, Rev.
Isaac w. X. Handy, Mt that time pastor
OF the First Presbyterian church at
Portsmouth, Va. Rev. Handy was
accused of reasonable utteranCes and
languished in confinement for many
months. His book, written in 1874, is
entitled, Omitted States Bonds, or
Duress by Federal Authorities" lie
is the father OF the well known news
paper correspondent. Mr.. Moses 7.
Handy, until recently in charge OF the
department of publicity aud promotion
OF the Worlds Fair.
SENTENCED TO DEATH.