Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1896-11-19

distinguished citizens BY hanging their
portraits on the walls of the court room
Recently, the memory Of gentleman
born in St. Mary's was so honored.
Benjamin Hayden Morgan was a broth
er of the late George III. Morgan. At
the outbreak of the war Mr.. Morgan
crossed the Potomac and joined Compa-
ny c. ist Maryland Regiment, command
ed by Col. Geo. a. Steuart. Later he
became a member of Company K 1st
Virginia cavalry. Mr.. Woodward is
mistaken in saying that he was in Gil
mor's command. The proceedings at
tending the presentation of the portrait
are copied from the Fredericksburg Free
LGRee:
Miss Gladys, the bright little daugh-
ter OF Mr. Weston Bristow, was request
ed TO unveil the portrait of Ben H. Nor
gan The drawing aside of the veil re-
vealed face familiar to nearly every
one in the large audience. Ben H. Nor
gan was born in Maryland. He cast in
his lot with the people of the South and
when a mere boy enlisted in Harry Gil
mour's cavalry, and that daring leader
had no Drawer soldier in his command
After the war he became a citizen of Tr-
hanna, and in five years made himself so
popular that the people of Middlesex
elected him sheriff, which position of
honor and trust he held about eight
years and until his death.
W. W. Woodland. Esq, presented the
portrait in a graceful address to Judge
Wright and through him to the people
of Middlesex county.
Col. W. $. Christian was recognized
to present portraits of Major Richard
Segar and John Healy, former clerks of
court
Miss Lucy Gray, the pretty little
daughter of Mr.. Beverly Segar, removed
the wells.
Col. Christian said these gentlemen
belonged to the generation that preced-
ed him. MOTOR Segar was one of those
genial and kindly gentlemen of the oil
den time, who made Virginia famous for
honor and hospitality.
Bright, genial John Healy, the best
shot, the best dancer, the best horseman
and fox hunter of his county, the leader
of the gay sportsmen of his time, was
the successor of Major Segar in the
Office of Clerk, but died soon after his
appointment They were both efficient
officers.
Capt. Robert Healy, of Woodstock, ac-
| cepted these two portraits in behalf Of
the county of Middlesex. He paid a
| handsome tribute to the memories of
Segar and Healy.
REMARKS OF W. W. WOODWARD:
At the request of the friends of B. III.
Morgan, late of this county, deceased, l
present this portrait of him to you, and
through you give it to the good people
of Middlesex, to be hung upon these
walls in memory of him.
In every country, in every age of the
world the distinguished dead have been
honored-some in song, some in sculp-
ture and some by the painters brush
and it is but right and proper that we in
this form should show our appreciation
of the virtue of those who have deserved
well of their country. Amidst the busy
scene of life. when some are striving
for position, the acquisition of wealth,
for the gratifying of their lawful ambi-
ton, it is well for us now and then to
retrospect and recount the good deeds
and virtues of those who have lived and
gone to their reward. II elevates the
mind, raises US above prejudices and the
strifes of life-exalts and purifies the
soul
OF all the varied modes used to per-
petuate the memory of distinguished
men, this mode inaugurated by your
Honor in this circuit is, to my mind, the
most appropriate. Here we preserve
the likeness, so that we can look into
the faces of men and see them as they
appeared in life and moved upon the
stage of action. Here is the suitable
place for them, where they can be cared
for, and all the people can view them,
be inspired by the memory of their no.
bic lives to greater effort for good. What
man in this court room, acting as law
yer. judge, witness or juror, could be
guilty of bad conduct with the faces of
these great and good men looking down
upon them?
B. II. Morgan richly deserves place
here, for he was the efficient sheriff of
this county for more than eight years.
No one has held that Office in this coun-
ty with more satisfaction to the people
and credit to himself. He was accurate
and painstaking, polite and accommo-
dating to all. He took a pride in the
Office and attended to his duties prompt
~ and in the most efficient manner
His education was limited, but he was
J a man of unusual judgment or common
sense. He was strong in his attachments
"a friend that stuck closer than broth.
er-loving and affectionate to his fami
ly.
When the cry ito arms" was sounded
in this country in 1861, Morgan, though
citizen of Maryland, espoused the
; Southern cause, and went to the front
/ to battle for what he believed to be right
He joined Gilmor's command, and o.
that famous band of noble chieftains h,
, was one of the bravest of the brave. III,
served his country well, and only laiC