davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1893-02-02
BEFORE THE CONVENTIONS.

How His Friends C!uns to Him With Char
actcriStic Tenacity.
The sturdy friends who three times
urged Mr.. Blaine's nomination were
among the most Jealous and persistent
that sustained any public man in the
history of American politics twice re-
pulsed, they clung to their candidate
with remarkable tenacity.
On June 12, 1875, just before the meet
ing of the first convention at which his
name was proposed, Mr.. Blaine exper-
fenced a sunstroke in Washington which
caused alar,0 at Cincinnati, and, in deed,
for IL time : ID a serious matter.
At CincinLA.I the reports of his con.
dition We're greatly exaggerated. It was
telegraphe;l that he had been stricken with
apoplexy, and the statement stirred such
Of the delegates in his interest As had ar
/ rived in the city with grave fears. The
I midnight bulletin indicating that ths
danger WAS passed caused great lief.
Inc convention came together on We'd
| nesday, June IA, 1876. On the second day
! the platform was adopted and the nominae
| ing speeches made. Col Robert G. In
gersoll presented the name of Mr.. Blaine
! and gave to him the title of Plumed
Knight, which clung to him thereafter.
Col Ingersoll said: Like an armed
| warrior, like plumed knight, James G..
! Blaine marched down the halls of the
| American Congress and threw his shin
| ing lances full and fair against the brazen
, forehead of every defamer of his country
| and maligner of it's honor"
When Gov. Hayes was nominated on
| the seventh ballot, the friends and sup
| porters of Mr.. Blaine accepted their de-
feat with good grace.
Mr. Blaine entered the next convention,
held at Chicago, June 2, $780, with al
most exactly the same number of sup
porten tha. had striven for him In The
The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1893-02-02
MRS. ]. G. BLAINE.

Millersburg, Kentucky. This school was
presided over by the wife of the principal
of the Western Military Institute. and
was twenty miles from Blue Lick Springs.
No account remains of the wooing but
in little more than a year after his
arrival in Kentucky he married Miss Stan
wood, and soon afterward returned with
her TO Pennsylvania, where he for time
studied law. Though prepared, he did
not present himself for admission to the
bar, but the grounding in legal princi
Piles then gained was of essential service
in all his later work. He was perhaps in
need of some more Immediately remun-
eratlve occupation than the study of tho
law, for in 1854, being then the father Of
boy of two, he answered the advertise
nent of Mr.. William Chaplin, Principal of
the Pennsylvania Institution for the In
struction of the Blind. for teacher
The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1893-02-02

qualities OF attraction, of sympathetic in,
tuition which are now fittingly described
as personal magnetism. 1t is said that
Mr.. Blaine rarely forgot a face, or the
name that belonged to it. He had the
faculty of making those with whom he
came in contact believe that he took the
strongest and most direct personal inter-
est in them. 1t was said of him that he
could decline request fer q favor in such
q way as 10 make Il friend by an act which
would have made an enemy for most men.
His conversational powers were neces-
sarily, from what has been said. of high
order. His fund of information, while
not as thorough or as accurate as he no
doubt would have liked, owing to his lack
OF early advantages, was most extensive
and there were few subjects ON which he
could not converse entertainingly. As Il
man Of business, he was remarkably sue
cessful and his judgment respecting in
Eestments was almost infallible. This
capacity in this direction gave great
weight to many of his ideas and sugges-
tions respecting the commercial policy Of
the country.
Mr.. Blaine's position was unique. By
his friends and admirers he was esteemed
man of stern integrity, statesman of
far-seelng, prophetic vision, an orator OF
matchless eloquence, a leader without
fear and without reproach. His enemies,
and he had many, both political and per-
sonal, called him crafty, unscrupulous
and corrupt in money matters, a scheming
politician with no elements of greatness
an orator who dealt in words and phrases
only, a leader who was for himself first
and always. 1t is probable that he was
by no means without faults and certain
that he had many qualities of greatness !:
in other words that the truth lies some
where between the lavish enconiums of his
friends and the bitter characterization of
his enemies. One who knew him we'll
said i'll 1884:
Mr.. Blaine with those who know him
is the most popular of men. The charm
of his manner is beyond expression, and
nobody comes within the circle of his
The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1893-02-02

not care for fancy dishes and when travel
ing seldom consulted the menu but told the
waiter to bring him good meal He
liked plain old fashioned cooking When
ever he did taste anything which greatly
pleased him it was hard to set him to
quit, and he would continue to eat des-
pite his watchful wife's admoni.ions In
former years he WAS fond Of horse back
riding and took considerable exercise, but
Of late he showed much disinclination to
bodily exertion.
During the winter before his illness hs
gave many small dinners and was fire.
Quent diner-out.
During the summer he lived on his
The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1893-02-02

Valuable Real Estate. Coal Lands and
othsr Paying Ent~rprisss.
Mr.. Blaine died q rich man, even a.
wealth is reckonsd in these days. He was
worth close ON to . million of dollars, il
not more than that amount. It is prob
able that II some Of his speculative in
vestments could be sold out under ad-
vantageous circumstances that his
wealth would include him In any list Of
nillionairss. His holdings Of coal lands
are large and with tho development of the
country must greatly increase In value il
kept intact for several years.
Mr.. Blaine by reason of his wide popu-
larity was associated with a number Of
men Of wealth in various enterprises and
his sagacity and business foresight kept
him from wasting much money on brilli-
ant but illusionary speculative projects. He
was interested with Secretary Elkins
years ago in . silver mine, out of which
he made considerable money.
estate in the City Of Washington which
would probably sell under the hammer
fer moro than a gu arter Of a million of
dollars.
Mr. Blaine brought his Dupont Circle
property, now almost in the heart Of the
fashionable Northwest when Stewart
Castle, which is across tho way, was
thought to be out In the suburbs The
grounds and tho house cost him approx
mated 466, 900. Two OR three years ago
he sold . number Of the lots in the rear
Of his house for $76, 900. The house and
the ,emaing ground is valued ut $3.50. o0U.
The house on Lafayette Square he at first
rented for three years with an option
of purchasing for 81, ,000 He took
advantage of the option and boughs
the property after six months'
residence. He also owned some valuable
ground on P street, and a considerable
AREA of ground Of less we'll established
but increasing value on what is known -
Meridian Hill. This property is just be-
yond the old city limits and overlooks the
town.
His holdings Of West Virginia and
The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1893-02-02
WHEN WE GET ROUND THE FIRE
At NIGHT.

When we get round the fire at night,
We three, while Grandma knits and
knits,
The big wood-fire's our only light
The corners dark where Grandma sits
But then her needles gleam and click,
And then we hear the great clack tick
Louder than when the sun shines bright.
And my! but Grandma tells us tales,
You ought to hear herr about a boat
That came one night-it had no sails,
No. anything-right in our bay!
And there's another bout the day
Gran father lost his wedding coat.
And Joey, when he keeps awake,
Is always asking her to tell
About the wolves that tried to break
Into the old schoOl-hOuse one time.
And the the Dominic had to climb
Way up outside and ring the bell!
But when the other tales are done,
Then it is Cicely's great delight
To hear about the little son
Who went to sea-We always say
It's better noon time O. day,
When we get round the fire at night!
-Vmginid Woodard Cloud. in st. Nicholas.
The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1893-02-02
MRS. WALTER DAMROSCH.

presence who is not overcome with his
destinations. With his great brilliancy
he has that exquisite show of Difference
to his companions, sort of appeal to
them to verify OR deny his words, that is
very taking. He is also very good
listener, and he has an agreeable way OF
speaking ones name and placing his hand
on ones knee that is an agreeable salve
to ones vanity. There is no acting III
the heartiness of his manner. He is an
impulsive man, with a very warm heart,
kindly instincts, and generous nature.
The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1893-02-02

Pennsylvania coal lands are csnsid srabls.
Mr.. Blaine was one Of the directors In
the West Virginia Central Railroad Com
pany, in which ex-senator Davis. Secre-
taTy Elkins, ex-Secre:ary Bayard and
others are interested. This roaI taps
ooal and timber lands wLich Nr. Blaine
bought years ago very cheaplr and which
have become valuable through the railroad
connections. His wealth includes bank
stocks, but the approrimats value cannot
hs stat.i
The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1893-02-02
Hl.:ne'. 7euse 4 wasTr9na.

cause during the campaign. 1t was made
in recognition of his fitness for the post,
and as compliment to trusted
friend.
Mr.. Biaine's season of service in his
new Office began with the inauguration
of the President, March 5, 1881, and was
completed when on December 9th Of tho
same year he resigned the portfolio Of
State. In this time It was impossible to
accomplish anything Of Importance, but
the chief of his large-ninde,! plans was
near fr;:;1ion when he reliuquishei his
place in the Cabinet. Scarcely four
The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1893-02-02
HIS TOUR ABROAD


And His Return to Enter the Cabinet -
President Harrison.
From 1884 to '88, during tho time Of
President Cleveland's administration, Mr.
Blaine devoted himse If entirely to hia
family. He spent a year in an extended
tour abroad, not returning to America
until after the no mination of Mr.. Harri.
rison.
When Mr.. Blaine returned to Washing.
ton in the fall of 1883, buoyant In mind
after declining the use of his na me as the
candidate for President and ready to as
sumo the premiership of the Cabinet Of
President Harrison, he had happy fami-
" about him The shadow upon his do
mestic felicity was the domestic trouble
Of his youngest son, wao. since tho days
he wore knickerbockers and kits was
q source of much care and anxietv.
Mr.. Blaine took up the work Of the Stats
Department where he had laid it down in
answer to the bullet Of Guiteau, and
mapped out a policy that was intended to
make the Administration conspicuous
success. His achievements in that diree-
tion need no mention here, being too fresh
in the minds of all.
A Chain of Sorrows.
In the brief period of less than four
years that he was President Harri-
sons Secretary Of State troubles came
to him and whitened his head and
enfeebled his frame In that brief inter
val his eldest son, the pride Of his heart.
and his eldest daughter had died; his
youngest son, whom he had perhsps
spoiled by overindulgence, had dragged
his name through the divorce court and
puhlic prints. Than. more crushing than
all, tho sudden death of his second son,
the one of whom the father was very
proud. In the opinion Of Mr.. Blaine's
physicians no man. even with the frame
Of giant and the will Of Napoleon,
could resist disease while living in the
shadow of such chain of sorrows a. this,
and the efforts of the men Of science were
constantly handicapped by the hand Of
Providence
The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1893-02-02
HIS HABITS.

A High Pressure Worker and IN Irregular
Eater.
A gentleman who was intimately
acquainted with Mr.. Blaine said that In
his opinion Mr.. Blaine broke himself
down by incorporate work and irregular
habits of eating. Mr.. Blaine was . high
pressure worker. Whenever he became
The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1893-02-02

months passed before the Pres ident was
shot down. During the three months that
followed Mr.. Blaine was in con-
slant attendance upon his bedside,
and when he died the short time during
which he continued in o6ice was Of little
value in carrying out his designs-ths
friendly aid and countenance of him under
whom they had been conceived being
lacking
When Congress met after President
Garfield's death it cast about for . At
man to deliver q eulogy Of Gen. Garfield,
and its choice naturally fell to Mr.. Blaine.
It has been called one Of the noblest psf-
Iormances Of his life, and certainly he
never spoke to 50 lofty and inspiring .
theme
The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1893-02-02

Speal.er: III. quicknes-. his thorough
knowledge "f parliamentary i;.w aud OF
the rules, his tirinncss, clear voice, and
Impressive manner, his ready comprehen
sion of subjects and situations, and his
dash and orilllancy have been widely
recognized, and really made him a great
presiding Officer
Lot NJ. Morrill,, for many years Senator
from Maine, resigned in June, 1876, to
accept the portfolio Of the Treasury, and
the Governor of Maine Immediately ap-
pointed Mr.. Blaine to fill the unexpired
The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1893-02-02
HIS PERSONAL TRAITS.

xmb0ed With ympatIetic Intuition and
Personal Magnetism.
Fsw public men have ever occupied the
place that James G. Blaine has for many
years filled in the hearts of the American
people. Henry Clay is most often COM
pared to him and there are many strong
points of resemblance Clay and Blaine
both possessed in u marked degree those
The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1893-02-02

Mr.. Jno. D. Shaw, of Warrenton,
arrived here Saturday night with a
drove of nice saddle and harness horses
for sale. He is making headquarters at
utherland's stables.
The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1893-02-02

preceding contest. The fact is remarka-
BILE, and most remarkable to those who
are best acquainted with tSe usual work
ing Of politics in this country. Four
years had been offered his opponents to
make combinations against him, four
The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1893-02-02

porch 1T Bar Harbor a great deal of the
time and seemed to enjoy immensely hav.
ing his grandchildren about him to talk
with.
Mr.. Blaine was very fond Of Bar Harbor
and occasionally when in a reminiscent
mood would tell his visitor of tho time
when he might have bought the whole
island for $500.
The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1893-02-02

mild way. Continuing to live in Wash.
ington, he began at once tho composition
of q work which he has called Twenty
Years in Congress-" He devoted himself
assiduously to writing, and was able
after little moro than two years labor, ia
present to the public thick volume ~
IN earnest of his intention.
The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1893-02-02
HlIOW'S
Your Liver 2

Ls the Oriental salutation,
knowing that good health
cannot exist without
healthy Liver. When the
Liver is torpid the Bow
els are sluggish and con-
stipated, the food lies
in the stomach undi-
gested, poisoning the
blood: frequent headache
cnsues; a feeling Of lasBi-
tude, dependency and
nervousness Indicate how
the whole system is de-
ranged. Simmons Liver
Regulator has been the
means Of restoring more
people to health and
happiness by giving them
a healthy Liver than any
agency known on earth.
It acts With extraor-
dinary power and efficacy.
Rrv. R. C. Wrrpaa. Princeton, y. J b., says :
| fad nothing helps 50 mu"h to keep NJ in
- 3r..n,, co.trt,r as simmons Liver Regulator.
See thGt q5o.2 Get the Gcs:u;u
wit,.. .eL =, oa f.o1. OF ,sr22pc-.
l..i-,l,Eo ol.LY BY
The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1893-02-02

deeply interested in a subject Ar. Blainss
ard ent nature led him to work beyond
his strength. He would shut himself up
In his room, would not allow him
self to be disturbed and would not eat
sleep or rest until he had finished his
task. He seemed to have adopted the
mo:to which the great electrician Edison,
who works in much the same way, gave
to a youth, Don't look at the clock"
Mr.. Blaine was not ordinarily 4 large
eater, but he was very irregular in his
eating. Apparently he had no marked
fondness for any kind of food. Hs did
The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1893-02-02
JAMES G.. BLAlNE

Ephraim Blaine, the father of James
G Blaine came into Pennsylvania about
1918, having the largest landed posses
si1ns of any man of his age in Western
Pennsylvania, owning an estate which,
hnd 1t been properly preserved, would
have amounted to-day to many millions
His Birthplace.
James g. Blaine was born in = plain
b,t ample dwelling, on the single street
o. West Brownsville, not far from the
enc of the campaign which ended in
B addock's defeat by the Indians In
Brownsville proper the visitor is still
s. own the residence of his grandfather,
Colonel Blaine, wooden building to
waich brick addition has been made in
lsser years. The mother Of General
S ,erman's wife happens to have been
3 aine's home. On the hills above West
Brownsville the curious inquirer may also
s, the house in which Ephraim Blaine
a1d Miss Gillespie were married, and,
firally, the half-doEen houses which
q, ar-el for precedence as the birthplace
OF this sketch's subject. Mr. Blaine has
t mself disposed Of this interesting con-
- 1t by fixing upon a certain dwelling
a:long these as the scene of his earliest
rccollections. The building is of wood,
two stories in height, and removed, in ac-
cprdance with the inscrutable Pennsyl-
vHnia custom, as little as possible from
ii road.
Ephrsim Blaine was careful to give all
h children an excellent education, and
" len james had completed at home his
e. rly studies i'll the elementary principles,
h was sent to the hCme of relative at
| ncaster Ohio. This relative was Thomas
+ wing, then Secretary of the Treas
u y. James Blaine was eleven when he
W mt to Lancaster, and he began at once
t, prepare himself for college, studying
w.th his cousin, Thomas Ewing, junior,
ruw General Thomas Ewing. and once
!; member of Congress, The boys studied
|. der especially advantageous conditions,
Z, ,heir tutor WAS William Lyons,
other of Lord Lyons, and uncle
Q. the then British Minister at
Y ashington. He seems to have been an
{; rly type of the visiting Englishman.
a:'d highly fortunate type for these
y ang students, for after two years Of in
ST -'uction from him, James Blaine, at the
! c; rly age Ct thirteen, entered Washing
ten College.
His Marriage.
A few months after graduation in
c .tober.'' says Mr.. Blaine, in :. letter al
r uly presented to the reader, - went to
h .n!ucky." That is simple record, and
G nyeys no intimation OF the causes
ich impelled the step; and it does not
come his biographer to be more wise.
T. sought his fortune in what was then
K own as the West; and the journey,
Il ough b-iefer one in miles than that to
I: region now known under that name,
/ AZ very we'll have occupied as much
t:';.e. FOR he went by toat. His fortune
" = not found at the Western Military
il ;titute. :. school for boys established at
| & se Lick Springs, Kentucky. But a
| professor he Won the general liking which
b. Il fallen naturally to him as u student,
| 81 d was rather uncommonly successful,
| It would seem, in a calling which could
net have been congenial
| 1t was at Blue Lick Springs that he
| N ! the admirable woman who became
his wife Miss Harriet Stanwood, a
The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1893-02-02
HUM PHREYS'

IhlS PRECIOUS OINTMENT is the
triumph of Scientific Medicine.
Nothing has ever been produced to
equal or compare with it as CURATIVE
AMI HEALING APPLICATION. 1t has been
used4O years and always affords relief
and always gives satisfaction.
Cures PILES or HEMORRHOIDs- External
or internal, Blind or Bleeding Itching and
Burning; Cracks or Fissures; Fistula in Ano;
Worms of the Rectum. The relief is imme-
The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1893-02-02
"rwENrY YEARS IN CONGRESS-"

4 Volume on Which Mr. Blaine Spent Con.
'siderablo Time.
When Mr.. Blaine laid down the port
folio of the Secretary of State, some curl
osity was felt as to what he would do.
For over twenty three years he had been
in public life. and it was thought for time
at least, vacancy and idleness must over
take him. But Mr.. Blaine welcomed this
period Of leisure ss an opportunity foz
carrying out plan long cherished in q
The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1893-02-02
SECRETARY OF STATE,

MI. Rlaine's Short Season of Service in the
Cabinet of President Garfield.
The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1893-02-02

Blaine for the first position in his Cabinet
was not the outcome of his efforts in his
The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1893-02-02

Ephraim Blaine, the father Of James
G Blaine came into Pennsylvania about
1918, having the largest landed posses
81 nns of any man of his age in Western
Pennsylvania, owning an estate which,
hnd 1t been properly preserved, would
have amounted to-day to many millions
The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1893-02-02
from Death

'Iescued from Death
All Said She Could Not Live a
Month
o,c Alive aud Well = Thanks to
Hoods Sarsdparilla.
al must praise Hoods Sarsaparila, for It Is
,onderful medicine. suffered 10 years with
Neuralgia and Dyspepsia
nd f0insing spells. Sometimes would
almost stif W ith cold perspiration. spent
great deal of money for medical attendance
ut did not get any benefit until my daughter
told me about II ood's Sarsaparlla, and began
10 take IL. weighed less than 100 lbs and was
A Picture Of Misery
very one who saw me thought could not
we another month. But began to improve
tonce after beginning with Hoods Sarsapa-
lila, and have ffadual!y gained until | am now
serfectly cured eat well, sleep well and
m in perfect health. l swe all to
Hoods SarsaparilIa
instead Of bein,s dead now l am alive and
Weigh 4 - lbs" Mrs. ELIZaBETri MEssER
East Barney street, Baltimore, Nj.
HOODS PILLS purely vegetable. per
,ctly harmless. rlways reliable and beneficial
The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1893-02-02

Valuable Real Estate, Coal Lands and
Other Paying Enterprisss.