Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-07-15
THE WHISKY DESTROYER.
Eccentric Career Of the Rev John T.
James of Virginia.
An Exhorter of the Blue Ridge who is Q
Strange Mixture of Good aud Bad
Some OF His Fresks.

The Rev. John 7. James Of Loudonn county,
who stepped into the white light of fame at the
worlds fair by smashing exhibit - fne old
Irish whisky, is q well-known character in yir-
ginia. His old neighbors toll many stories OF
his strange character. He ia something over
Fifty years old snd there is a long record Of
eccentricities behind him. He was born on
one OF the oldest and best farms in the Loudoun
valley, at the foot Of the Blue Ridge al snicker-
vile. His father was well-to-do and gave him
sgood education. enabling him to attend PAN
dolph-Mscon College, where he graduated be-
fore the war. He chose the ministry as his
calling and in due time was ordained as q
Methodist clergyman. He was man Of great
natural ability, and, with a fine physique and
confident, resolute manner he soon worked his
way to the front and became well known
through northern Virginia as a popular and
eloquent preacher.
As SOLDIER
When the war broke out he quickly entered
the confederate service and made q brilliant
record as afghter For a time be was with Moeby
and then with Col Whites Loudoun battalion
his oldcomrades speak of him q cold -blooded,
devilish good fighter. His bravery led him into
special service as a scout and he had many hair
breadth escapes from death Q spy. After the
war he again entered the pulpit and preached
successfully for several years. But st length,
his eccentricities multiplying from yeaf 10 year,
he openly fell from grace and
TOOK TO DRINK AND CARDS
until bis name became a byword and reproach
Although he reformed after an Interval of reck-
less conduct, 10 this day many Methodist con-
gregahons refuse 10 listen to him. All up and
down the Shenandoah valley at bush meetings
and prolonged camp meetings he became Ia
nous as a pulpit orator. yet people regarded
him as queer and distrusted man.
ONE or HIS FREAKS
was to suddenly disappear from Virginia. and
afterward it WINS learned be had Joined himself
| to q peculiar sect OF free-win believer. in New
York. where he married woman quite as queer
as himself After few years she left him and
he obtained divorce through her default on
the ground OF desertion. The sumo day the
jnige signed the decree OF separation he took
out a license 10 marry his Cousin. who is re-
garded as quite as strange rs the Reverend
johnnie" Through all the yicissitudss Of his
peculiar life since she has chung TO him, joining
him in his whims as fully as IL they we're her
own. She is doubtless in loyal sympathy with
the assault In the whisky at Chicago and win
stand by him on all the consequences. Fortu.
nately no children came to the pair son BY
the first wife Was shipped into Loudoun county
by the mother a few wears ago, With instructions
TO the father TO take care OF him, something hs
promptly declined to do.
HOW HE GOT THE MONEY!.
During one Of his periods Of ecceutricitv.
while at home on the farm, James wanted
money for gambling purposes. His father and
mother refused 10 give him any and be could
not borrow. One morning he wholly disap-
peared. At last his mother deserted hin In the
top Of tall oak tree. She called out 70 him to
come down and 60 il the house and lie down
awhile.
m you viii give me hundred dollafs," he
replied. Il will come down III you don't
will throw myself down. A man might a. we'll
break his neck as be pennilesk"
The frenxied mother, wringing her hands
and crying, begged him not TO carry cut his
rash threat snd agreed 20 give him al the
mouey she had and get enough more Of his
father 70 make upa hundred dollars. she did
IL, and be promptly proceeded 10 lose u In an
all-night game Of poker in one Of the GIN miM
up In the mountains.
At another time be Was seized with frantic
determination 10 fast for forty days and nights,
not only TO prove to his neighbors that d vss
possible to 20 without food Tor that length Of
time, but TO do penance for his sinfulnsss in
backsliding. he went up into the mountain,
house to house, and selected welI-knowp spot,
where for many days he received motley
gathering Of curious and scoffng mountaiaeers
The crowd finally began TO take liberties with
the faster. and as the playfulness Of the anbe-
lieving mountaineert became roueher and
coarser be took refuge in Q big black walnut
tree. climbing mp as high az be could anc keep
a comfortable seat. The crowd squatted ssound
the tree and arranging relays kept James 60 his
perch night and day until he was nearly dead
with hunger. Before this his fast had been o
sham, M il was learned that be had gone by
night and got food from different colored fam
lilies in the vicinity. When his rude mountain
congregation, however, surrounded his tree
and told him to get right down 90 business and
| actually fast or they would strip him and give
him a taste Of Blue Ridge hickory, the test be-
came too severe and he urrendered. came
down and went of home, followed by the jibes
and wells of the delighted witnesses Of his
folly.
AS SCHOOL TEACHER
For two or three years James has taught
school in Snickersville and Aide. He IL .
scholarly man, notwithstanding his pecuiiari-
ties and he has been a successful teacher. His
authority on school is EXCELLENT, for be Is known
as man not TO be trifed with He has had
numerous personal encounters, carries q gun,
and is regarded as a dead shot Some years
ago be bad trouble with Squire Throckmortou
at Snickersville and to provoke the squire who
is a nervy man. into q challenge published
most scandaious pamphlet, laying bare many
alleged family skeletons. The attempt fsied
and the meeting never came of as Throckuor-
ton said he really could not consent 20 pass into
HISTORY as the man who fought the Rev. John
7. James.