The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-12-07
A PORTRAIT OF BOB TooMBS.
1T RECALLS 4 BIT OF FAMOUS
GEORGIA HISTORY.

sent the Georgia Historical Society
by Mr.. julius l.. Brown in Accor-
dance With n "Recent Promise"
The Promise Had Been Made to
Capt. John II. DiIIon-RecaIIs the
AntagOnIsm of TOOmbs and GOV.
Brown Who Once Came Near In
duIging i'm Duel.
The December meeting of the Georgia
Historical Society was held last night, but
beside the routine business there was lit
tie done. There was an incident, how
ever. which will be of interest to many
Georgians.
As one Of the features of the meeting
there was received by the society. with
resolutions of thanks TO the donor, two
Oil paintings from Mr.. Julius l.. Brown
of Atlanta, one of them a picture Of Gen.
Robert Toombs, and another, which has
not been accurately placed, but which is
supposed to be a portrait of William c.
Dawson. famous Georgian, who died just
before the war.
Accompanying these two portraits was
an excellent engraving of Gov Brown the
father Of the donor, and a letter from him,
in which 1t was stated that the portraits
were sent the society in accordance with
a recent promise. One of them was por-
trait of Toombs, painted by Mayer in 1851,
he stated and the other he thought was
of William c. Dawson. These portraits,
Mr.. Brown stated, he had had cleaned on
moving his Office and not desiring to move
them to his residence. he donated them to
the Georgia Historical Society.
Mr.. Browns letter was read with inter-
est, and the portraits were, with much
pleasure, added to the society's collection
But the members of the society present
puzzled for a long time over the express
sion in Mr. Browns letter "in accord
ance with a recent promise. None of them
could remember Mr.. Brown having made
such a promise, though they tried hard to
recall it, Nevertheless they were glad to
accept the gift
A later arrival, however, threw little
more light on the question. The promise
it appears was not made to the society di-
rect, but TO Capt. John r. Dillon, mem
Der of it, who was recently in Atlanta, but
who was not present at last nights meet
ing.
While in Atlanta Capt. Dillon called on
Mr.. Brown ana was most cordially re-
ceived. In Mr. Browns Office Capt Dill
Ion noticed the portrait OF Gen. Toombs
which the society has just received.
Il see you have a picture of Toombs
there" remarked Capt. Dillon casually.
Yes Mr.. Brown replied, and he fol-
lowed his affirmative assertion with a re-
mark quite uncomplimentary to the gen.
eral. You can have it," Mr.. Brown con-
tinued.
well, I know the Georgia Historical
Society would appreciate it," Capt. Dillon
replied.
Wen, I'll send it down." MIR. Brown
said. There's another one, too"
1T looks something like William C.
Dawson" Capt Dillon said
Il believe it is" said Mr.. Brown. ''You
can have that. too"
Capt. Dillon thanked Mr.. Brown, say
ing he knew the Georgia Historical Socie-
ty would appreciate the portraits very
much, and there the conversation diverg-
ed. That, however was the promise Mr..
Brown made to send the portraits to the
society, and they came forthwith. The So
ciety appreciates the gift very much, and
a letter of thanks will be sent Mr.. Brown
by the secretary.
To appreciate the story. however, it
should be remembered that Gov. Brown
MIR. Julius L. Browns father and Gen
Toombs were political antagonists, so to
speak. On one occasion Toombs who
was rather hot-headed at times, became
angered and challenged Gov Brown to
uuel 1t IS SAID IOonDS thought Gov.
Brown would hide behind his church. he
being very devout churchman. Though
not governor at that time, it is as we'll to
cali him governor Gov. Brown did no
such thing. He rendered his resignation
to his church, got out his old dueling pis-
tolls, for which he doubtless thought he
would never have any use, polished them
up, began practicing on a target, and at
once accepted the challenge
This is as far as the duel went Toombs
backed square down, and the fight never
took place, at least not with powder and
bali al twenty PAGES, though there may
have been many a wordy scrimmage on
political field. But thus it is that a pics
ture of the famous confederate general
has never adorned the home of the gov
ernor, nor those Of any members of his
family.