The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-10-08

your annals and learn from them that
historians have been inadvertent to a
plain duty. ASK your seniors at Chapel
HILL the name of the man who in the best
and highest sense, illustrated their civil
cation in peace and war, and no answer
comes from sealed lips or voiceless halls
The Hon. Henry Muchmore Shaw,
formerly a distinguished member of
Congress from the First Congressional
district of North Carolina in the War
between the States, Colonel of the
Eighth regiment, n. G. State troops,
was born on the Goth day of November,
1917, Mt Newport in the State of Rhode
Island. and at the age of eight years
removed thence to Currituck county,
North Carolina. His father having lost
large fortune by unlucky ventures in
commerce and in his investments in
ocean vessels. Colonel Shaw was at a
very early age thrown upon his own
resources, and unaided but resolute, be-
gan the uneven struggle for bread. His
education in consequence of the priva-
tons encountered at the very threshold
of life was limited to six months. After
the death of his mother, who taught
him the rudiments and instilled in his
young mind a studious habit. which in
creased every year of his life. he Sc
cured a position in the office of DIR. G.
G. Marchant, a very learned and dis
tinguished physician of Currituck coun-
ty, where he read medicine and stored
his mind with every obtainable fund
of information, and at the age of eight
full IiyNln IN,
medicine and surgery from the Univer-
sity Of Pennsylvania. and also diploma
from the celebrated DR.. Pancoast, after
special course in practical surgery.
He was then admitted into copartner-
ship with DR.. Marchant. intthe practice
of medicine; DIR. Marchant then being
the husband of the mother of Colonel
Shaw's wife by a former husband,
Ezekiel Trotman. The Colonel prac-
ticed his profession and at the same
time prosecuted his studies in Latin,
Greek, French, besides pursuing a full
course in English Literature; and so
proficient did he become in this that
the late Governor Swain pronounced
him the best English scholar in the
State. He assiduously pursued his
French studieS for many years, even
after his distinguished son, the Hon.
William Brenton Shaw, of Henderson,
\. c., was old enough to attend school,
reclting his lessons once a week to Mrs.
Gilman, who still survives: and fire.
quently he has been observed on his
way to his patients with his French
or other book in one hand and reins in
the other bordering over the pages with
all the ardor of sophomore working
for a medal.
Colonel Shaw in the science of sur
gerry, attained to an unusual eminence,
and so extensive became his reputation
that numbers of patients were brought
from Norfolk and elsewhere in carriages
and other vehicles to be operated upon.
One remarkable instance of his profound
skill is thus narrated by an eyewitness.
A lady whose breasts We're consumed
by cancer was brought to him for treat
ment. He had no help at hand and call
ing to his assistance his young son and
his wife, desired that they should hold
the hands of the patient, while the
operator removed her breasts and dressed
the wound. This lady survived the OPP
Grafton many years.
But as we have within us an ever
restless spirit that quickens our zeal and
plans for us the attainment of some
higher goal, so the ambition of this
distinguished man was reaching always
after something higher, made possible
of success, by fixed purpose to secure
whatever he coveted. He was to put
aside the scalpel and the kaleidoscope,
and in new pursuit to achieve fresher
and more lasting honors.
In 1851 he was elected to the Senate
of North Carolina-a contest to unseat
him was begun, but resulted unsuccess-
fully for his opponent, Mr.. John Ber
nard. In the argument which he submit
ted i'll his own cause there was the eX
hibition of SO much tact, eloquence and
resource tint at one bound he became
the leader of that assembly, and upon
the adjournment returned home to as
sumo the guidance of his party in the
First Congressional district.
And now we come to period when in
tellectual ability only was wanted at
the front. Local issues and their parti-
san discussion were sufficiently acrimo-
NOUS and Wing and Democrat with
hanter and badinage were embittered to
that extent that a political war was
declared. war to the knife and knife
to the hilt."
In this arena he entered. and casting
aside the shield he poised the spear and
as in the wager of battle proclaimed
the challenge. In 1850, in the Congress
sional election, he had foelnan in all
respects worthy his steel Col David
Outlaw, like his distinguished competitor
had SHE'D into the arena, his castor
Must he pale his Intellectual fires in
the debate with Shaw? Must he step
endorsed from the arena like another
Ivanhoe? We shall see. Cannon double
ehotted were reserving their fires in the
Federal Congress, but now and then
menace of terrible portent gave earnest
of the kindling of fagots that would
blaze forth in a consuming fire. In this
contest against the ilustrious Outlaw
he bore away the trophy of victory. He
went to Congress and in the, debates in
that grand representative body was
never avermatched. The nation
was approaching crisis. Omi-
nous voices, like the mutter.
ings of the coming storm scarcely coun-
selled moderation We're rath-
or signals of evil. He keenly apprehend-
ed these sounds-these menaces. The
stroke of the cane that resounded upon
the head of the Senator from Massa-