Birmingham age-herald., 1895-08-18
J. COURTNEY HIXON.
A Cosby Story Concerning His Appointment to Chee foo-That Appal ing Nous
 tache Nearly "Did' Him.

Washington, Aug. 16.-(Special Cor. respondence.)- J. Courtney Hix- son at Foo Chow, China, who has acted so promptly under the trying state of affairs which now surrounds English and American missionaries in that country, was the handsome ex-commandant of the Alabama Cadets of the state university at Tuskaloosa, who attracted unusual attention in Washington pending his ap- pointment in the diplomatic service of the country in 1893. His military bearing and general prepossessing appearance made him rather conspicuous, as he so fre- quently walked Pennsylvania avenue to and from his hotel to the state depart ment. Senator Pugh and Congressman Oates were his political advisors in sug- gesting the character of diplomacy to in- sure his success. Colonel Hixon first ap- piled for the St. Petersburg mission, which took the breath of the Alabama representatives, and forthwith council was held with the young aspirant in or der to get his application some Where within the range of possible success.
 After some months of patient waiting, which is the inevitable lot of an office seeker rush was made on Assistant Secretary Quincy, who suggested a Chl- nese consuship: as it was the best that he could do then. So Colonel Hixon was slated for China at least, but the ap-
 
 fact it was only a suggestion from MT: Quincy, and then came another period of suspense, in which to wait. IL was during this period that Colonel Hlxon friends had the opportunity of rejecting on his fitness for the Chinese post, and whether it would be safe for him to go among the celestials in the far east.
 During the waiting period Colonel Hixon called at the senate judiciary com mittee room one day when Senator Pugh, in his earnest, dignified manner, suggest ed an idea that had not occurred to the colonel
 'Hixson you would make splendid meal for the Chinamen if there should be any trouble over there, but that fine mus tache, which is very much like thelr pig tails, might save you; but l reckon you might go any way and take your chances
 Colonel Oates called at the state department to advance the cause of his friend and constituent, Colonel HiXSon, who had grown weary of waiting.
 Colonel Oates,'' said Mr. Quincy, T am very much impressed with the gener- al appearance of your man Hixson, and have about slated him for the Ning-Po consuship, but do so on condition you have him take off that imperial mus tache."
 "Pshaw," replied Colonel Oates, q knew there was something in the way o1 Hixson's success. I will have him to comply with your request if possible, MT. Secretary"
 Just before Colonel Hixson had re- ceived his commission to go abroad there were several young Ala bamians in Wash ington, former students of the state uni versity who had felt the sting of Colonel Hixson's strict discipline, and when they learned of the possibility of his securingt a Chinese consulshp they did all they could to have him appointed among the "heathen Chinese" appointment, first to Ning-Po and after- wards changed to Foo-Chow, near where the recent outrages have been committed.l
 From recent dispatches he is serving his country well, and it is hoped that he will not fall a victim to Chinese cruelty while in the diplomatic service of the United States. .. ----