The Van Buren press., 1897-06-26
ANDREW JACKSON.
Letter of Andrew Jackson to VIII
liam Russell. of Franklin county,
IN 1914. Now Owned by
Mark Wzonar CIR of

Letter of Andrew Jackson to VIII
liam Russell. of Franklin county,
in 1914. Now Owned by
Mark Wagner. Sr.. of
Crawford County.
The following we copy from the Little
Rock Gazette of the 18th. The Jackson
letter to Mr.. Russell, at the hands OF
Uncle Mark Wagner, was published in
THE VAN buren, PRESS over thirty years
ago. 1t is with pleasure We reproduce
it with the reference to Uncle Mark
and his family;
Some time since The Gazette learned
that an old gentleman named Wagner,
living on little farm up in Crawford
county. was the possessor of an original
and unpublished letter from Gen.
Andrew Jackson, written in the plain,
vigorous style for which old Hickory
was famous The Gazette wrote Hon.
Sam R. Chew. of Van Buren,, COM
missioning him to secure for publication
a copy of this letter and such facts as
might be of interest in regard to the
possessor. Mr.. Chew arrived in Little
Rock a few days ago. bringing with
him the priceless original letter-a gem
and also very interesting letter from
Mark Wagner, ST., eighty one years of
age, and the owner of Gen. Jackson s
letter. The latter was written to Mr..
Russell, who was Mr.. Wagner rs uncle
and his Wagner 81 wife father.
1.-The Wagners, said Mr.. Chew,
"are Gods own people. While Mr..
Wagner is old and blind, he has a
brilliant mind, is handsome man,
well posted and thoroughly interested
In current events. His wife is most
estimable lady. lovable, charming and
splendid companion for her husband.
They have nice little home, and while
their farm is small, 1t is we'll cared for
and is all they want. 1t is two miles
from Mulberry. and about eighteen
miles east of Van Buren,. They prize
the letter highly, and to Democrat it
breathes the spirit of the great leader
and instills into his very soul renewed
courage, renewed hopes, greater
patriotism and undying love of country.
l hope to see the document pass into the
keeping of our state historical society
before 1t escapes from our state. .
THE OWNER s LETTER.
was born in Franklin county, Tenn.
March /, 1915. was the eighth of a
family of twelve children, all of whom
lived to be grown and have families,
and all were loyal to the Democratic
party.
In 1889 came to Crawford county,
Ark where I've lived ever since,
having made no pretensions to anything
but farming. voted for Martin Van
Buren, in 1910 and have voted for every
Democratic candidate for the presidency
ever since bryan being the LAST with
one exception. On account of illness
failed to reach the polls to vote for
Horace Greeley, and am glad of it.
/ have never served in any war.
During the civil war was over age and
did not enlist in the service.
In May, 1910, was married to Mary
Ann Russell, who was born in Franklin
county. Ala, in 1923. She came tc
Arkansas in 1888.
Ten children were the result of this
marriage: Susan, deceased, wife OF T.
W. Marlar; Solomon. killed during the
war; Andrew, Betsy Ann, wife of T.
B. Remy; Russell, deceased; Worth
Mary, wife of James Adams; James
and Frank. deceased. Besides these
there are thirty three grandchildren
and thirty three great grandchildren
all of whom were born in what is now
Crawford county, Ark.
l am eighty one years old, and have
never had a fight. never been in the
penitentiary nor in the Arkansas
legislature.
Find enclosed letter written by Gen
Jackson to William Russell, my uncle
and my wife 8 father.
MARK WAGNER, SIR.
June Z, 1897.