Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1895-05-03

an exceptionally interesting book will
be published to-day by Thomas Whit
taker. II is entitled Historic Doubts
as to the Execution of Marshal Ney,
and is the work of James A. Weston.
of Hickory, North Carolina. Numer-
Gus explanatory Illustrations accom-
pany the text and add greatly to the
value of the book. Among them are
reproductions of Marshal Neys hand
writing and illustrations Of several
striking events in the life of the ia
nous warrior.
The authors object in writing the
book is plainly told. Having been in
formed several years ago that Peter
Stuart Ney, who died November 10,
a1S46. in Rowan county, y. c., was the
famous Marshal Ney, Of France, he
started on a thorough investigation of
the matter, and the result is that he is
satisfied that the Ney who died forty
nine years ago in North Carolina was
Marshal Ney, who was supposed TO
have persisted in France, but who, In
the opinion Of the author and others,
escaped death through the aid of the
soldiers detailed to execute him and
found refuge in the United States.
GROUNDS OF THE AUTHORS
BELIEF
The author bases his conviction that
Peter 5. Ney was Marshal Ney on sew
eral grounds. In the first place the
physical resemblance between the two
men was very perfect says
the author Both were large, athletic,
broad shouldered, full chested and
symmetrically built. Again. in char
acter disposition, habit and manners.
both men were singuIarly alike. Mar
sinai Ney was a man Of great personal
magnetism and Of a strong, vigorous
mind; as, too. was Peter 5. Ney. Both
men used tobacco and drank wine and
spirits. Peter sometimes INDUCED in
the latter to excess, but we are told
that "he was not at all Incorporate un-
til the death of Napoleon, in 1921, when
he said to Colonel Rogers: With the
death of Napoleon my last hope is
goner This would certainly seem to
prove that Peter and the Marshal were
one and the same.
stitutiCns. were fair musicians, model
sons husbands and fathers, had con
siderable artistic talent. were skilled
fencers and thoroughly versed in
everything pertaining to the art of war.
More curious is the fact that Marshal
Ney was wounded sever. times-in
the foot, thigh, hand, arm and chest
and that Peter S. Ney also had wounds
in all these places. Marshal Ney was
also wounded in the neck, but there
is no record of any such wound in
Peters case.
IF Peter Ney were Marshal Ney,
why did he adopt the name of Peter
Stuart Ney? The French soldiers
called Peter Ney Peter the Red 1t
was their pet name for him. This
name. therefore, have had for Ney the
most delightful. the most tender, even
the most sacred associations. AS to
his middle name, p. S. Ney said-ac-
cording to some witneSses-that the
maiden name of his mother was Stu
art. and that he chose Stuart on that
account According to other wit
nesses he chose this name because
his mother was related to or in some
way closely connected with a family
of Stuarts.
WHY HE CHOSE THE NAME.
But Ney, why did he adopt that
name-a name of worldwide fame,
and. therefore, almost certain to Gre
ate suspicion and to lead to discOv-
cry: a name which no one would eX-
pect him to take? He took it in all
probability because it was famous
throuehout the world; because no one
would expect him to take it. 1t was
his greatest protection, his best foil
against suspicion or RECOGNITION. IT.
was in keeping with Ney's bold,
daring, shrewd, practical character.
Besides. there was magic in the name.
Ney! 1t awOke a thousand precious,
hallowed memories II thrilled one
through and through like an electric
shock. 1t was the synonym of BRAY
cry and heroism and immortality. Ney
could not give up that name. 1t was
his life, his glory, his ALL
The closing scene in the life of Peter
s. Ney points also in the same direc-
ton. ~ few minutes before his death
p. S. Ney became deiirious. In this
condition he died Mr.. o. G. Foard
saws that his last words. spoken in
delirium. we're these: 'Bessieres is
dead. and the old Gaurd is defeated;
now let me die Marshal Ney had
often led the old guard to victory, and
they had gone down with him on the
battle of Waterloo. Marshal Bessieres,
the loved and hOnored commander Of
the Old Guard, was killed in the de-
file of Rippach in 1918. II was natural
that Ney in his last moments should
link them OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES and the
Old Guard
These extracts Will suffice to show
that il is a book of unusual interest
The great Marshal played famous
mart on the worlds stage, and any new
facts concerning him and his career
are of unquestionable value. Whether
he author has proved his case or not
the reader of his work must decide
He has certainly taken infinite pains
70 gain all possible information on the
subiect. and the result is a very read
ahle book.-N. Y. Herald.
\ GOOD MEDICINE.