The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1895-10-15
GEN. MAHoNE is DEAD.
HE NOiED VIRGINIA WARRIOR
AND POLITICIAN.

|
Misfortunes that Followed His Clos
ing Days-How He Lost Politica
Power and Fortune.
Gen. William Malone, of Virginia
died on the Sth inst. at Chamberlain
Hotel, Washington, ID. @. He wa
stricken with paralysis October LIST
and gradually grew weaker, losing
consciousness the day before his death
The end came peacefully and almos
imperceptibly.
Gen. William Malone was born IL
Southampton County, Virginia, In
1926, and comes of fighting stock. Hi.
father and grandfather, who were
lrishmen, were noted as soldiers, his
grandfather serving with distinction
IN the war of 1872 and his father com
manding militia regiment Ill the Nat
Turner insurrectiOn.
William Malone was tutored by his
father until he entered the Military
Institute, from which he graduated
in lS47 Until the outbreak of the
civil war he was a civil engineer, and
at that time engaged in that capacity
in the Norfolk and Petersburg rail
road. He joined the Confederate
army and was commissioned lieuten-
ant-colonel Of the Virginia Volunteers.
He was promoted to colonel of the
Sixth Virginia Infantry. He was
prt sent at the capture of tho Norfolk
navy yard in April, 1861, participated
in most Of the battles of the peninsu.
lar campaign, those on the Rappahan-
mock, and those around Petersburg,
whore he won the sobriquet of the
Hero of the Crater" for his splendid
bravery at the time of the explosion at
Grants Mine, underneath Lees out
works, 1t is known that General
Lee held him in the highest esteem
and as Il brigadier commander inferior
only to Stonewall Jackson.
General Malone was commissioned
brigadier-general in March, 1864, AMI
major-general in August, for distin-
gulShed services around Peters burg.
Afterward he commanded division IN
Ambrose Z. Hits corps, and when Lee
surrendered was at Bermuda Hundred.
AT the termination of the war Ma
hone devoted himself to railroad mat
ters, and became president of the Nor
folk and Tennessee railroad Later
he took an active interest in politics
and endeavOred but failed to secure
the nomination for Governor of Vir-
ginia in 1878.
He became the leader of the read
juster party, and was elected U nited
States Senator in 1880. He served
until 1886 and was defeated at the
polls.
The Washington correspondent of
The Chicago Times Herald in "a letter
written few days ago about Gen. Ma
bone and his misfortunes said : His is
familiar figure here, with his trilled
shirt. bosom and cuffs, his gray slouch
hat, his womanlike feet in the dain-
tiest OF fine boots. This man, ex-
Senator William Malone, Of Virginia,
is the finest example OF martyrdom to
his party to be found in all the land.
President Andrews, in the current
estingly u part OF the Malone story,
but the most vividly dramatic part of
it has never been in print. President
Andrews latest chapter Of the history
OF the last quarter century gives an
account of Mahoue's appearance in the
United States Senate in 1881. The
historian does well to say that Malone
at once attracted national attention.
Not only had he been striking figure
in military uniform, but he was pecu-
liar and unique in civilians garb.
Moreover, the party conflict raging in
that body immediately centered about
him. Always Democrat, bravest and
bOIdest of he Con onfederates, an aristo-
~ GU ~ VII ' IL ihioS hS huu hCN'i
less been chosen to the Senate by Re-
publican and negro votes Though the
Senate ut that moment chanccd to be
tie, and accident gave him the pow
err to organize it as IL Democratic or
Republlcan body, few Of the Southern
men then uppermOst in the councils Of
their party dreamed that Malone
would cast his lot with the Republi-
cans. He did SO, however, amid tire"
mendous excitement, and in the face
OF all sorts of threats, and through
him the Republican party retained
control Of the upper branch of Con-
gross at most critical moment.
Before passing to the almost tragic
sequel, a word concerning the dramat-
ic incident, President Andrews de-
scribes it we'll. Naturally there was
intense bitterness among the Southern
Senators when Malone deserted them.
They felt that they had been betrayed
by one of their own flesh and blood.
Fiery Ben Hill came to the attack
with bitter irony. Who is that
man 2" he cried, amid laughter from
the Republican side of the chan Der.
Who is that man so ambitious to do
what no man in the history of this
country has ever d0ne-Stand up in
this high presence and proclaim from
JnlS PROUD CmlnenCe IhaL he QlSgraCeS
the commission he holds? Such a
man is not worthy to be Democrat.
is he worthy to be q Republican 2"
But little Malone, with his flowing
beard and spindle legs, was not intimi-
dated. Taking the floor, amid breath
less silence, he declared that he was
still u Democrat in principle, but was
nOtindebLed to the Democratic party for
his place in the Senate. " want tne
! Senator from Georgia to know, hence
forth and forever" he declared, ve-
, hemently, THAT here ID man who
.dares stand and defend his right
against you and your cause
Gen. Malone walks the streets OF
F! Washington bankrupt, hopeless,
though not wholly frlendleSs. He is
virtually pensioner on the generosity
OF one OF his odd associates, John
Chamberlain, the innkeeper. Too
honorable to run away from any just
claim upon him, too high spirited to
attempt to save anything out the
wreck of his own property, Malone
has nothing in the world but his pride
and the home in Petersburg which
belonged to his wife before their mar.
riage. Contrast this with his condl.
tion when he entered the Senate and
broke tie in favor of the Republicans
Then he was, perhaps, tho richest mar
in Virginia. He had tue esteem ano
the society OF all the first families
His name associated with new enter
prise was a guarantee not only of gooC
faith, but Of success. The leading