Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1894-05-09
Memory Sketches. Grave and Gay, of
Medieval Iarrenton.

Memory Sketches. Grave and Gay, OF
Medieval Warrcnton.
Fifty years ago Warrenton was fre
quented on all public occasions by 8
noted gambler named Crabbe Horton
Draw poker was his favorite divertise'
ment. On the one occasion of entering
into game he announced that there
was to be no borrowing at the board
That meant freeze out. The tide wen,
against Crabbe and he was soon broke
He called upon q friend in the party for
a loan. His rule so emphatically laid
down was quoted to him. Ibid l say
that ?n said c. "You did replied the
obiector. Then all have to say
said c, "Is that it was d-n impudent
remark Beyond and since Crabbe
liourished members Of the human fam
ilv have in like manner been taken in
their own traps.
Jim NARROW was q hermit who wa;
permitted to live in rail, brush anc
board hut of his own construction on
the farm of the late Richards Payne
He, while making many sage remarks,
was considered mentally unsound
He went about clothed in rags
and old blankets-more or less ac
cording to the temperature. He
would not wear anything until it had
patches on it. Even his blankets had
to be Of several colors and kinds Of
fabric. Instead of shoes he bundled his
feet up in rags tied with withes. He
left tracks in the mud or snow like
those of an elephant. When seen in
the distance he looked like dilapidated
old hay stack. If Jim ever had bath
it was unknown to his dearest friends
He professed great medical skill giving
out that he could cure any malady with
concoctions ofroots and YARDS. Strange
to say there were those who patronized
him in his profession, paying him for
his remedies. Truly it takes with
some people much dirt to kill. He en-
couraced the idea with his ignorant
patrons that he was something ola con-
iurer. The late Dr. Stephens who had
quite much artistic talent made an ex-
cellent drawing of Jim and his shanty.
jim was much gratified at seeing him
self and surroundings on paper.
Tom Cash can make a sash,
AS well rs anybody;
But his brother ,ecmS, goes on extremes,
y drinking apple toddy.
This dosgerel by some contempo-
raneous wag gives some insight to char,
acters of the brothers Cash who were
reared and dwelt here. They were
both carpenters, living where John r.
Spilman now resides. Tom became q
Methodist preacher; was most highly
thought of aud faithfully served his
generation in the calling he assumed
jim, as the rhyme suggests, was too fond
of drink and the wise know to what
that uniformly leads. He was not
without good generous qualities and
sprightly withal. When he was about
forty, free and easy youth Of fifteen
came where he was and said "Hello
Jim" He stared at him and said
"Look here boy when did go to school
with YOU" think the lesson was
worth something to his 'precocity."
Wm. Wall, who has recently passed
away, was the deputy county clerk un
der William il. Jennings He was
perhaps the most fastidious man that
Warrenton owned at the time OF
which write. Over six feet in
height. slender, erect, of good fea.
lures, fine Judgment and pleasant
contact, you may we'll anticipate his
general popularity. He was so neat
j / Al hot of hi
day he would have the appellation o
dude. He was nothing of a ladies' man
Among his peculiarities he used Lubin':
toilet soap at 80 cents per cake an(
wrote with swan quill pens. He wa:
mighty hunter like Nimrod and nt
one could bag more game than he
This leads me to speak of his pointer
dog, Spank. The latter was "a genera
favorite and got his meals at either o
the hotels or at such private houses a:
the viands were most suitable to his
taste. When w. was absent without
Spanks knowledge the latter woult
first satisfy himself that he was at none
of his usual haunts in town, then gt
and take the train, change cars at the
junction, and go to Bealeton where W
visited. If he found him there he wa:
content, if not would return as he wen
and anXiously abide his coming. w
was deputy sheriff under Capt. Marr
afterward joined the Confederate ser
vice in his command and subsequently
became clerk of the U. S. district court
The latter position he held till hi:
death. AIToCS.
-Vafrcnton IIirginida.