Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-09-27
Wash. b. Williams, 9TH sd.
END OF A FAMOUS CAREER
General Thomas L. Clingman of North Caro-
lima in an Asylum.
Veteran Statesman and Soldier Suf-
fering From the Infirmfties of
Old Age and Poverty.

A special to the New York World from
Morganton, n. c., says:
Gen. Thomas L. Cljngman, ex-United
States senator, whose name thirty-five
years ago was on every tongue in this
country. was admitted today to the state
Asylum for the Insane, in this city.
Gen. Clngman does not become an in
n ate of this institution because of acute
arrangement of his mind. His case is one
of mere senility 1t is against the policy of
the institution to receive such inmates. but
in the case of a man who, representa-
tive in Congress, United States senator
and confederate general, rendered the state
conspicuous service, it was felt that an ex-
ceptio1 might be made. Aged, poor, in
firm mentally and physically, the state
offered to care for the once great states
man, and during the remaining years of
his life it will give him a home and pro-
tecting hand.
Gen. Clingman was born eighty-one years
ago in this state. Few men today realize
what political factor he was during the
quarter of a century ending with the sur
render of Lee. Looking upon him today,
bowed with age, cxpressonless from mental
infirmity. depressed from poverty, few peo-
pie would recall without surprise the record
he made as statesman. orator, legislator,
warrior. duelist and scientist
Few men before the war made so re-
markable a record as a public debater
During the slavery debate in Congress his
speeches were full of southern fire and en-
thusiaSm and his fame became interna-
tional because of his aggressive attitude
toward the Clayton-Bulwer treaty. One
speech, on the causes of Henry Clay's de-
feat. led to a duel with William Yancy of
Alabama
The political career of Gen Clingman
began when. in 1855, then a young lawyer
n N 10 W. q antn cd
WING to the state legislature from Surrey
county. In the autumn of 1896 he removed
~ Asheville, as there was prospect that
the proposed Charleston and Cincinnati
railroad would pass through that place.
In the convention held to discuss the SUBJ
ject of the change of route he took lead
ing place and opposed Col. Menninger of
South Carolina. an experienced debater,
known throughout the country, and his
feilow-townsmen rewarded him with an
election 10 the state senate.
He. became leader of the wh!g party,
and in 1913 was elected to Congress over
James Graham, and was almost continu-
ally in office until June IA. 1858. In 1853
he was appointed to fill the vacancy in the
Senate left by the resignation of Asa
Bisgs. At the end of his term he was re-
elected.
On January 81. 1851. Gen. Clngman with
drew from Congress with the other south
ern members, and in May was sent to the
confederate congress to give assurance that
North Carolina would support the cause
OF the south. He entered the confederate
army as colonel of the 18th North Carolina
Regiment, and in eight months time he
was made brigadier general He was in
command of the defense of Goldsboro' and
held Sullivan's island and Battery Wag-
ner during the attack on Charleston He
led the attack on Newberne in February
1864; broke Buffers lines at Drury's Bluff,
May 16. and forced him 20 retire to Ber-
muda Hundreds: was wounded at Cold
Harbor; repealed the attack on Petersburg.
June II; attacked and defeated the Union
2lO0. In this fight he was severely wound
ed and was only able to rejoin his COM
mand few days before Johnsons sur
render at Greensboro. in April, 1865
Gen. CHngman was a delegate to the
national democratic convention held In
$50 Since that time he has studiously
avoided politics.
he explored the mountains of his native
state, discovered that they contained the
loftiest peaks of the Appalachian range,
Inc chief one OF which was measured by
him in 1850. and now bears his name: OPEN
ed the mica mines of Mitchell and Yancy
counties. made known the existence in the
state of corundum, Zircon, rubies and other
gems. He contributed much to scientific
knowledge and published several Volumes
including Speeches and "Follies of the
Positive Philosophers"
Gen- Ciinsman was never married II
IS related, however, that the only time he
ever voted for legislation that he couId
not heartiiy indorse was during his early
years In Congress, when a woman was sent
20 MIN by scheming lobby and he fell .
victim to her entreaties