Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1896-06-20
N THE WILD WEST.

A few years later the orphan moved
with a family Of relatives to Virginia
City. New. and it is of these years in
the new. wild west that Mr.. Bland tells
many amusing and interesting stories
Here he rose TO the dignity of school
teacher. but instead of branching out"
as the young men of to-day, he saved as
much as possible from his small salary
for the education of a younger sister
These amounts were sent by travellers
in stage coaches to far away Missouri.
In every way he endured the hardships
and sacrifices which make men great.
The youthful schoOlmaster after a
time became quite a Beau Brummel in
the smart set" He taught singing
school and courted many of the fair
maidens who learned from him the
good old songs.
After a number of years Mr. Bland
concluded to visit Missouri, the home Of
his childhood. OF course, he was eX-
pected TO make a round Of the different
schools and received a pressing invita-
ton from one of the professors TO at
tend the commencement at Bellevue, a
Young girls seminary in Caledonia, Mo.
Ii was during the period when debates
first became a fad, especially at young
uomen's schools. The thrilling subject
for that memorable day was, Does
Hone or Memory Exert Most Influence
Upon the WOrld?" Miss Virginia
Mitchell. daughter of General K. Y.
Mitchell and niece Of Judge Thomas,
now assistant attorney general, a love-
~ girl with brown curls, violet eyes and
MadOnna-like face and gowned in
simple white. cOntended that "hOpe"
excited greater influence, and Mr. Bland
thought so too. At least he was in
spired with so much of it that he let
some expression of it escape him in the
course of a conversation with Miss
Mitchell. The result was that he was
soon recognized as the accepted sutton
for her hand, and after proper term
of cOurtship the young pedagOgue took
her as his wife.
Re settled down. as the country
phrase goes. at Rolla. Phelps county.
Mo. in 1868. and began the practice of
law. His studious energy and indefat
igable will soon won him a place at the
head of the local bar. He afterward
moved TO Lebanon. and il was not long
until he WAS picked out as good Con-
gressional timber and sent TO Washing
ton TO help make the laws of the land.
His untiring fight for free silver.
which he continued through the success
sive sessions Of Congress held during
his eleven terms of service as Repre-
sentative. is a matter Of history with
which all are acquainted.
HIS HOME LIFE.
While 1t cannot be denied that, like
an old war horse, Mr.. Bland has found
real enioymenut in the endless battle
he has waged. his home life in Missouri
has been his greatest JOY. He is plain,
unassuming man. even in the glare of
public life. but at home he is uncOn-
ventiOna,ity itself
His two story red brick house stands
one mile from Lebanon. When be goes
into Lebanon twice a week for his mail.
he rides an ancient black pony named
Nollie. and his feet nearly touch the
ground on either side. The people Of
Lebanon have laughed at Mollie for
many year. but Mr. Bland does not
care for their laughing, because Mollie
is a rocking chair PAGER" OF wOndrous-
" easy gait. and Mr. Bland goes in for
comfort, not show.
SO semi-weekly the great advocate of
the rights Of the white meta, rides his
venerable black pony into the town
and halts at the same hitching post in
front Of the postofice and ties her there.