Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1894-11-14

index and reflection.
A full length portrait of him adorns
the walls of the capitol of Tennessee,
painted by the celebrated artist, Rem.
brandt Peale. 1t represents him with
powdered hair, wearing the uniform of
general of the continental army, with
knee breeches, long silk hose and silver
buckles.
Patriotism was inherited in the soul
OF John Sewer, and heroism " as an at
tribute of his nature; before he had at
tanned his majority he enlisted in the
service of his country and was COM
missioned captain by Gov. Dunmore.
Soon afterward, in the first flush of
youthful power, he married Miss Sarah
Hawkins, the daughter of one of the
first families of Virginia. She was Just
II years of age and lovely as some Hebe
or young Aurora of the dawn, and as
short lived. After her too early flight
from earth the young soldier laid his
heart upon the shrine of liberty, gave
his hand to freedoms cause, and pass
ing through the gilded gates of the
highways to fame which opened for
his reception marched at the head of
his company to join the army defend.
ing the young colonies from the fury
of Great Britain.
The mother country had become ieal-
GUS OF the unparalled prosperity of her
colonies, which, refusing to cherish,
had rather stroye to conquer. She had
already reaped large harvests from
them, and as though intoxicated with
affiuance she treated with scorn their
supplications for justice, and met them
in battle with the spirit shown by Co
Hath to the shepherd boy of Israel. But
armies were raised up for the defense
OF the colonies; they were strengthened
for resistance, and the race proved not
to the swift nor the battle to the strong.
For bravery on the field of battle and
courage and firmness in the presence of
danger, Captain Sewer was promoted
to colonel, and from that to brigadier
general and on to general. He con.
tlnued in his country's service as "con.
slant as the northern star" until the
banner under which he fought became
the proud ensign of victory, floating
over free, independent and united
country.
In the meantime he had removed
from Virginia to the picturesque tract
country, that rare gems of creation,
where beauty like fair goddess sits
enthroned upon sun kissed mountains,
is painted by master upon its flowered
wales, is miTored in the clear waters of
the winding streams, and waves over
the fertile fields, which he assisted to
organize into the State of Tennessee.
He was chosen its first governor and
held that position by successive elec-
tion twelve years, when being no longer
eligible as governor, he was elected to
the Congress of the United States.
He was the idol of the people of Ten
nessee. He had stood sentinel over
their homes, he had guarded them in
danger and led them to victory. They
were charmed with his polished and
captivating manners, they admired him
for his bravery and loved him for his
general spirit. AS graceful as he wore
the laurel wreath of the victor in arms
he was no less distinguished as states
man. During his administration in
Tennessee the governors mansion was
the home Of culture and graceful hos
pitality; levees and brilliant receptions
were held, graced by the beauty and
gallantry of Tennessee.
AS the years passed ON time, the con-
soler, had softened his grief sor the
young wife whose beauty had flashed
like meteor across his isyouth, who had
perfumed the morning of his life with
the incense of her love, and with her
last smile had placed in his hands one
tender floweret, his daughter Elizabeth,
and after remaining widower twelve
years he married Miss Catherine Sher-
rill, daughter of one of the early
settlers.
To this superb young woman, this
imperial Medea, whose wit and bril-
liancy frightened the meridian of his
life, he gave the deeper love of his ma
ture years. Their first meeting was
tinged with little romance; fleeing
from an Indian tomahawk in terror
and dismay, she jumped over the stock.
ade at Watauga and fell into the arm
of General Sewer, who was lying in
wait, not for bride, but for the In
dians; but the fates. propitious as ever
to him, sent the Indians to his snare
and the bride to his arms. Speaking
of this leap long afterwards, she said
she would take it again every day in
the year for such husband" He call
ed her his "bonnie Kate" and she was
the evening star whose light illuminat.
ed his declining years.
Gen. Sewer was said to bear charm
ed life; fortune which favors the brave
ever attended him and rendered him
more invulnerable than Achilles. In
the thirty five battles in which his
sword flashed where the fight ragged
the flercest he was never wounded nor
defeated.
General Sewer had reached his three
score years and ten and had spent his
strength in the service of his country,
and could not come to four score. As
his feet were nearing "the valley ofthe
shadow of death, he was sent on
mission to Fort Decatur, Ala. On ar.
irving there he was stricken with favar