Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-08-15

killed outright but young Tyler, shaking
himself together found that he had es-
caped unframed. "It was Providence"
said Major Tyler when to-day he re-
verted 10 the incident.
And on another occasion, when the
Union artillery was enfilading the Con-
federate lines. a shell burst near him
with murderous effect. Men fell all
around him. Mr.. Tyler himself was
thrown upon n man who was stunned,
while other comrades wore torn to pieces.
But once more Major Tyler arose un-
harmed. "And that was Providence,
too" he says, with reverence.
When Lee surrendered Tyler's company
was camped near by Appomattox. All
young men, still ardent and undiscou-
ragged, they were not Of the surrendering
kind. Especially in Major Tyler's blood
the old Scotch spirit of resistance was
dominant. He would not surrender, and
did not. General Johnston was still sup
posed to be fighting down in the South
west, and forthwith the youthful soldiers
went TO join him. while Lee and Grant
were meeting under the appletree. Across
the Appomattox Tyler and his compan-
ions went making their way through
this, his home. section to see how the
home folks were farng ere they pushed
their way further south. Then came the
newr that Johnston, too. had given up
his sword and that the war waS actually
over.
IT was TO a devastated home that Tyler
made his footsore way. Everything that
could be raised upon the farm had gone
to the support Of the armies in the field.
There had been no overseer to see that
work was done, and rack and ruin was
the natural result once more II took
the Scotch characteristics 10 surmount
the wreck. The negroes were called to-
gether and informed that they were free.
by night they had gone. IL required ire
mendous toll 20 bring order out OF chaos,
but it was done. With patient industry
the neglected farm was reclaimed and
made profitable. and upon It Major Tyler
has since remained. he was a practical
farmer then and he is a practical farmer
now.
HOW HE ENTERED POLITICS.
But Major Tyler IS more than this lie
is a farmer in politics. 1t was through
farming that ne entered political life. In
the early '7Gs the agricultural classes all
over the country began 10 organize. with
the natural and proper idea of benehting
their interests. With his movement
Major Tyler at once associated himself.
In Southwest Virginia farmers clubs were
formed, and when a convention OF their
delegates was held in Wytheyllle he was
elected 10 preside, and made q speech
perhaps the first, by the way. except lit
tie talks to farmers. that he had ever de-
liyered. When he returned home he found
that there was talk OF sending MIN to the
State Senate. He knew nothing OF poll
ties had no desire for public Office, and
at first thought that there was so little
probability Of his nomination that lac gave
the matter no attention. Presently other
honor This aroused his spirit ana he
went into the fight The candidates met
on court-day at Tazewell to announce
their position Two Of the aspirants made
their speeches. Speeding pleasantly
enough Of themselves. but casting sar-
castle filings at the youth who had arisen
like David Then Mr. Tyler came TO the
front. with his keen sense OF humor he
saw the weak point in the armor OF his
opponents.
My friends who ask the nomination."
u aid he, were quite active. when the war
vas going on. in appealing 10 you 10 seek
ylory and serve your country upon the
8 Battlefield, but they stayed at home
themselves. | went"
This was not all OF Major Tyler's speech
by any manner of means, but 1t Is its
substance. The crowd, composed Of vete-
rams who had just returned, saw the
point at once and yelled. 1t has been the
same way with every speech that Major