The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-04-15
THE LIFE or VANCE.
Major c. Dowd interviewed About His
Forthcoming Volume.

Major G. D1wd, of Charlotte, is in the
city. He hasn't been in Raleigh very
much since, as receiver of the State
National Bank, he wound up its affairs.
The people of Raleigh, rs all over the
State, have been gratified to learn that
Major Dowd would write a life OF North
Cardinals greatest son.
In reply to the question Of the re-
porter as to his plan of compilation,
etc, Major Dowd said:
my idea is to publish a book OF
about 500 pages, to sell for one dollar,
or not more than one dollar and quar-
ter. so that it may be within the reach
of all of Vance's friends, rich and
poor. At the same time nothing will
be sacrificed in respect to the quality
of the paper, binding or illustrations,
that go to make up the mechanical
part of the book.
II wish to publish a life of Vance,
written not entirely by myself, but by
his own friends and companions. | viii
be the director of the work. eliminating
that which is superfluous or unimpor-
tant, and putting together, i'm as attrac-
tive, interesting and condensed form
as possible. the essential facts and most
SIIikfl2
end / call upon all the friends and as
sociates of the late Senator to send me
any letters, or incidents, or anecdotes
which may be in their possession.
shall make this request in person or by
letter to such Of Yance,s friends as /
know to have been his associates Gen
Robert Fl. Vance viii contribute The
facts of his boyhood days. his early
career at the bar, etc.
Men who came in contact with him in
his life at college, i'm his early CAM
paign for Congress, in his career in the
army, In his brilliant and memorable
campaign against Settle ia 1876. and in
his capacity as Governor of the State
and United States Senator, will be ask
ed to contribute to the biography. But
perhaps many of the most interesting
facts of Nance's life are to be found
among people who were not especially
the confidential friends of the Senator
but who may. nevertheless know many
important and interesting things con-
corning his life. [ would, therefore,
be glad for anybody to contribute in-
formation.
the book Will contain a number Or
portraits Of the Senator at various pc
RODS Of his life, and also illustrations
OF his mountain home. his home in
Charlotte and in Washington, and per-
haps others.
II do not think ii would be practicable
to include In the book the speeches Of
the Senator In full, as they would make
the work too yoluminons and expen-
siVe, but IL is possible that [ may pub
fish a second volume containing his
speeches. and writings. If the public
demand should Justify it.
II shall 20 To Washington next week
to collect some material for the book.
and from there ] shall go to New York,
to make arrangements for It's pubIica-
ton.
GLOW long, asked the reporter.
s'were you associated with Vance as a
law partner?"
from the time he went to Charlotte
in 1866 until he Was elected United
States Senator. We were in the same
regiment In the war, and we met after
the war in a barber shop in Charlotte,
both of us being there for the same
purpose. to get shaved and to look out
for a place to locate for the practice
Of law, and we then and there agreed to
form partnership.
After his election to the Senate. we
corresponded with each other frequent
iy in reference to politics and other
matters, which correspondence lasted
until the time Of his death.