Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1895-07-14
OLD FOLKS RECOLLECTIONS
OF STONEWALL JACKSON

late war are yet prominent, ana whose
respective bases are washed by the
West Fork of the MonOngahela and the
large stream of Elk Creek, lies Clarks-
burg, Harrison county, West Virginia,
a town with a population somewhere
between 5000 and $500.
Back a few yards from the principal
thorOughfare Of the town and within a
stones throw of the county court house,
there stood, until some years ago, with
it's gable facing the street, a modest
little brick dwelling of one story and
an attic, with a long porch and old
fashioned dormer windows, and at one
time surrounded by trees and shrub
berry Of various kinds. In this humble
dwelling on January q, 1924 the babe
Stonewal Jackson, whose genius was
destined to excite the admiration and
receive the plaudits Of the civilized
world. drew his first breath Of life.
1t is not the purport Of this brief
sketch to speak Of the brilliant military
achievements of this wOrld-famous
strategist, the historian and the bio
grapher having long since made the
world familiar with them, its object be-
ing to state minor incidents unknown
to the public relative TO him long be
fore he reached the pinnacle OF fame;
and for these I am indebted TO the OLD
people OF the town, one of whom is the
Hon. Edgar NJ. DAWSON, who was born
and reared here, and is the Oldest mem-
Der of the Clarksburg bar.
Mr.. Davisson recalls the time when
he was standing on the street within
short distance Of Jackson's birthplace
conversing with friend, when Jackson
conspicuous in white duck trousers,
rode up on a mule with little negro
bov behind him. He had come from
Lewis county where he then liyedrand
where he had received the appointment
10 West Point, and was on his way to
some point East, Washington it is sup
posed, to see his Representative about
it. He dismounted and the three went
into a small beer shop close by and re-
called themselves on sweet beer and
cake. For some reason it was neces-
sary for young Jackson to go about
mile east of the town in order to take
the stage, and this distance he decided
to walk, and turning the mule over to
the care of the negro boy whose duty 1t
was to take him back to Lewis county,
he set out, Mr. DAWSON accompanying
him. Arrived at the end OF their walk
the two friends seated themselves and
had a long and pleasant conversation
before the arrival of the stage, when
tbev separated. Mr.. DavissOn says
that after the close of the Mexican war
Jackson paid a visit 10 his old town,
where on one muster day he drilled the
militit.
Another citizen who when very
Young. clerked in a store in Clarksburg,
saws one time Jackson, then a
small boy and his little brother
came into the store where it was soon
observed that both were lacking such
necessary garments as shirts which at
once aroused the sympathy Of the kind
hearted proprietor Of the store who i'm
mediately had a bundle of shifting ma
terial made up which was given the
lads with instructions to take it to their
widowed mother, who was at that time
in INDECENT circumstances and nave her
make it into shirts for them. This
citizen was also present at the mar
riage of Colonel Woolson and Mrs
Jackson which took place in a little
house on Fourth street, long since torn
away. Mrs. WoOlson died in Fayette
county. and is buried there.
OF the colored population I have
talked with. few who knew General
Jackson when a boy. but the only one u
ever knew to claim the honor Of having
temporarily nursed him was old Uncle
Nose Jackson, now dead, who be-
longed to the late Major James NJ
Jackson. a cousin of Stonewalls, and
was considered very intelligent and
thoroughly reliable. / came across the
old fellow one warm day lying in the
shade Of a large oak near his cabin and
asked him if he remembered Stonewall
Jackson. why" he said with evident
nride. didn't ] used to nuss him. I'll
tell We how it was. You see ole mistiss
often invited Mrs. Jackson over TO din
ner and she'd come an bring the baby
with her an while all the ole folks war
Of dinner I'd have TO take charge o i'm,
an that's how come to nuss StOnewall
Jackson" UnCle Nose also informed
me that when Jackson returned from
the Mexican war he employed him 10 do
some repairing TO his fathers grave,
which is in the old Jackson cemetery at
the east end Of town.
Old Aunt Milly Chaplin, who died less
than a year ago, said she remembered
Tom Jackson when ne was a boy, run
ming about the streets Of Clarksburg,
and the next thing she knew everybody
was shouting the praise Of Stonewall
Jackson.
Uncle Fred Sehon also remembers
him Uncle Fred has followed the tom
serial business in Clarksburg for up
ward of fifty years. but this distinction
great as it is, is overshadowed by the
much greater one of his having when q
how Dlaved marbles with the renowned
Stonewau Jackson.
II lisa matter Of regret that the house
in which General Jackson was born is
= thing of the past In 1881 it was torn
down to make room for a three-s story
business house which now occupies the
si+e Many bricks and pieces of the
wood work were carried of as souve-
Mrs bv relic hunters and admirers OF
the great Confederate leader.