Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1900-12-11
BoYHooD DAYS
OF VIM. L. WILSON.
Dr. CordeH, HIS SCHOOL, ett0iD and
Playmate, GiUes HIS RecoIIcc-
ttons Of Years Gone BIZ.
IVri,ten f9r NJ B1lffnlore American.


TVrius1i forthe Baltimore AMERICAN.
The death of Willie Wilson brings TO
my recollection many "reminiscences of
his early life. 1 was his most intimate
associate and playfellow until he went of
to college. His mother. widow; his
maiden aunt, Miss Lucy Lyme, aud him
self, an only child. formed the household
next door to my fathers house in Charles
Town. He was only few months older
than L His health was always delicate
aud gave his family much uneasiness =
He was frequent sufferer from styes,
which often prevented his attending
school. His mother and aunt watched
over him very jealousy, and he hardly
ever left home. A large garden attached
to the house gave him ample room for
play and recreation. His PrecociousnessI
was early recognized, and predictions
were then made of his future distinction,
should he live. One of mg earliest recol-
lections is of the little fellow standing at
the pump ON our corner, and answering
puzzling questions in mathematical put by
my ia Their and AIR Edwin Moore. Hisread-
mess WAS remarkable. He read a great
deal, although he was never bookworm.
One of the first books he ever read was
"Gulliyer's Travels, and made my first
acquaintance with that volume through
hiw. a little later his favorite author
Bacon. and lie frequently read to me from
it. AT school he distanced all his com
pauions. and in time was in classes be-
yond all Others and almost entirely to
himself
We we're fellow students at the Acade
:;:.y, in Charles Town, and he was at the
same time my admiration and envy. He
acquired his lessons with astounding ia
ciliiy, almost without study, as it appear
II 10 me. He was good in everything -
He would go up when called and read off
his Latin, Greek aud French with scarce
Is n pause or interruption from the teach
err. Once we had sort of Spelling bee,"
aud prize was offered to the boy who
got head oftenest. Wilson took it, going
the length of the class some twenty odd
times, as well as recollect. He was in
the habit of picking and pulling at HE
nose, which was large, with wide, ex-
panded alae nasi and big nostrils. He
used to say that big nose was the sign
Of intellect that almost all great men
had big noses. He was modest and free
from braggadocio, but had a quiet conf
dence in his own powers, and his superb
riority was always acknowledged His
compositions were my admiration, he had
such flow of ideas and expressed him.
self so readily, whilst could mt think OF
anything to write and had no power OF
expression when | did. he WAS never
expert in games or athletics. He had an
old, short and crooked handy stick, With
which he used to get in some good plays.
When teascd about its ugly appearance,
he wond say Gage make- no difference;
blood will tell" One of his favorite quo.
tations WAS from Horace "omDe tulit
punctum, qui miscuit utiIe cum dulce."
When he became man ne always car.
ried his Horace with him in his travels
to amuse him. He WIS always an ardent
Democrat, and used to raise flag poles at
election times and illuminating his win.
dows when tie Democrats were success
full With me for an audience he would
deliver Democratic harangues. He read
the papers and kept well informed in
politics. He made no attempt at SUPERB
ority or leadership, but was very social,
aud had great tact, good nature and com
mon sense, qualities which served him in
good stead in later life, and to which he
largely owed his success. he was pure
minded boy, free from vulgarity and pro,
family, and disliking it in others. His
family were Baptists, but he made no
claim to sauctity There being no Bap
ti-t Church in the town, he attended the
Episcopal Sunday-school, and we were in
tile same class. This was taught by a
very eccentric bachelor, Bnshrod Her.
bert, who lived as tutor in the Washing
ION family at Claymont, near town. This
gentleman WAS very generous and once
offered prizes to those who should com
init TO memory the whole of Proverbs
Wilson took the lead and received a gold
yalch, John Howell came secohd with
,Iiger watch; | came out sixth, and re-
ceived Liddrll Is Scott's Greek lexicon
Bon White, vino fell at Chancellorsyillr.
was ai-n member OF ,hi. class, which
was a very large one We had no ora
lnrc4l contests in those days, so that n.
had 10 opportunity TO show the powers
IA that line lie liter displayed Alter lie
LEFT for college, at about sixteen, saw
but liltle OF him, aud our lives d;vergcd
widely, but have recogniz d in him as
man many of the traits that characteriz d
him as boy. SO that in 4 a the boy
seemed truly the father to the nam
For instance, / may mention his truth
fulness, sincerity, purity, cnrefulness OF
statement, studiousness. sociability, love
of politics, wisdom, tact. He was shrewd
without deception, possessed deep
knowledge of the world without ever al.
lowing himself to be contaminated by it.
contact and had a mastery discretion, 80
that he never made an enemy and was
never guilty of conduct which brought
future regrets. His political wisdom
never failed him. Though partisan in
politics, he was a pure patriot
EUGENE F. CoRDELI