The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1901-09-26

"SOtSCu-ToCtS OI interest 10 the
North Carolina Society of the Cin-
cinnati
Special Correspondence of the Gold Leaf.
Buffalo, N. T., Sept 2s, 'OI.
The most artistic, and by far the
most refined work of art, in the Pan
American grounds is the magnificent
painting of Jerusalem on the day of
the Crucifixion. by Pigelheim, of
Munich. Mrs. Governor Jennings, of
Florida, and her party were so de-
lighted with this spectatorium that
they remained during two consecu-
tive exhibitions. The painting shows
the city of Jerusalem at the right.
the hill ofCalvary surmounted by the
three crosses on the center, and on
the left the hill country around Jerus-
alem, dotted with the palatial home
of Joseph of Arimathea and the villas
OF the Roman centurions.
The electrical effects cause black
cloud llrst so creep over the Holy
City. This cloud is riven by zig gag
lightnings. In the distance thunder
is heard. The cloud grows blacker
until an intense darkness covers the
scene. Out of the darkness a pure
sweet tenor voice has been accustom-
ed to sing '.Hosanna in the Highest. :"
Since the death of the President
this song has been changed to q
we'll known melody, the refrain of
which is, Thy Will be Done" As
those were the last words Of the
Martyred President, and as the scene
on the canvas suggests the same
sacred sentiment, the timeliness and
the appropriateness Of the change is
apparent.
The owners of this painting paid
for it $780, 900. 1t is the finest thing
of the kind in America. Twenty first
class European artists were engaged
on the canvas for three years. To
properly exhibit it, it requires the
building OF circular amphitheater,
which occupies more space than could
be granted by the Pan-American Ex-
position Company. If this magniti-
cent feature is secured for Charleston
or for St. Louis, it is to be hoped that
it will be situated in quiet and
beautiful part of the grounds where it
can stand alone, and where the solemn
suggestions it inspires will not be
dispelled by its surroundings as soon
as one leaves the oriental columns
which support the amhitheator in
which it is now contained. DR.. Tai
madge says, s'It is worth thousand
sermons"
The electrical effects add much to
the entertainment. While the dark
cloud hangs over Jerusalem theref&a
halo of color around the head of the
central figure on the cross which
slows throughout the whole scene
until the speaker, who is a fine elocu-
ZIONIST, concludes the story of Geth-
semane and Calvary. At that moment
the electrical effects vanish, the
music ceases and the clear sunlight
of an Eastern afternoon falls on the
splendid painting. A field of golden
sunshine tlecks the mountain border
ed pathway leading towards Bethany.
The cloud over Bethany has golden
lining and the temples of David and OF
Marianne, the pillared palaces OF
Herod stand out on the canvas as real
as if one stood On hill overlooking
Jerusalem itself.
Sometime ago | received letter
from Major Graham Dawes, asking for
information about Major Howell
Tatom, the last secretary of the
Society of the Cincinnati in North
Carolina. Many of the facts at my
| command were traditions l had re-
ceived from my mother. A few days
ago | received the following from
Major w. C. Tatom, who did gallant
service in the Cuban War and is now
editor of the american. Nashville,
Tenn. Major Tatom writes me:
..Briefly this is an account of the
official career Of your great uncle,
Major Howell Tatom. Many OF the
facts are secured from the Alabama
Historical Society, Vol. II. You can
verify it in the Congressional Library
at Washington. Major Howell Tatom
was probably born in North Carolina.
Particulars of his early life were un-
known. The following is summary
of his Revolutionary War service in
that State: Ensign. Sept. l, 1776
Second Lieut., Jan. 4, 1776; Lieut.,
March %, 1776; Captain, April 3,
1777: captured in battle of Charleston
Nav 12, 1880; exchanged June IA,
17S1. He was breveted Major. Elect
ed Secretary North Carolina Society
of the Cincinnati 1881, and is sup
posed to have held that office when
he removed to Tennessee about 1I9o.
Known to have held the following
offices in Tennessee: Treasurer west
ern District middle Tennessee) 1894
I1796; Attorney General of same
Supreme Court Judge, May ~, 1897,
to Sept. 21, 1898; and afterwards
(about 1907 one of the commissioners
to adjust land claims between Tennes'
see and North Carolina. Gardner's
Dictionary, Army U. S.. (1S50 gives
his record in War of 1912: Principle
topoe. engineer (Major) of Tennessee
Volunteers, under General Jackson
| from September, 1918 to May, 1914
and again in the defense OF Ne"
lOrleans, and distinguished himself IL
battle of 9th of January, 1915. Little
is known of his family. He died II
1928, as appears from a statement II
Tennessee reports. An effort is oeinS
made to collect material for a full
biographical sketch. He helped, t.
form the Watauga Constitution beior'
Tennessee was q State. He ther
| lived in what is now Last Tennessee
Have more information concerning
him, but not here, as my library Il
still in Knoxville"
Il The following facts are matters =
record: Major Howell Tatom was tn
son of Howell Tatom ap Tatom' Esq
who owned a large plantation nea
Oxford, Granville county, Nort'