Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1902-05-17

Several years after the war General
Early wrote an article on some battle
in which he had taken part, and Gene
raj William Malone took exception to
some Of his statements. An acrimo-
nious correspondence followed, winding
up with a challenge from General Ear
fy to fight a duel. He proposed that
they should go into a room, lock the
door, throw the key out of the window
and let the door be opened the next
day. Some one taunted General Early
about this proposition, saying that he
did not believe that General Early was
in earnest in wanting to fight General
Malone.
well, let him accept" was his reply.
II prefer to have room where we will
not be bothered. Shotguns, double bar
relied, loaded to the muzzle, with table
dividing us, is the choice Of weapons I
suggested"
Those who knew the general say
there Is not the least doubt that he
meant exactly what he said.
General Early was a close friend of
the late Charles w. Button, for yters
editor of the Lynchburg Virginian. Mr.
Button was a man Of deep religious
convictions, and was never known to
use an oath.
He often talked with General Early
upon religious matters. General Early
listened with profound attention.; but
it was evident that what was said
made no impression upon him. After
Mr.. Button had been arguing with the
general one day in the summer, while
seated in the editorial rooms, General
Early turned to Mr.. Button and said:
Charles, I have only one fear al
dying. / know that I am not a Christ
ian, but there Is something worse thar
death.
Mr.. Button slowly asked the genera
what he meant. General Early begaT
to straighten himself up and called Mr.
Button to a window.
"See that" he said, pointing at 6
poet going down the street. 1.-The only
reason that have to fear death is that
that poet will write some graveyard
poetry about me-"
On one occasion an old Confederate
soldier appned to General Early for as
sistance in pecuniary way. The ole
general recognized the man as SOL
dier who had belonged to his command
and began to ply him with questions
all Of which the applicant answered
promptly, and, as he believed, to the
satisfaction of the general.
Now, William" said General Early
at last, II want to ask you final ques
ton. Is it true that you have become
a Republican, and have taken the
stump in the support Of the co-callet
principles of that party? Tell me thu
truth"
The man looked General Early in the
eye for moment and replied that HI
was a Republican and had always beer
one-even when serving under him II
the army. He assured the general tina
he had not changed a particle.
"That is a blank lie," was the open
ing remark Of the general in rejoinder
Amy Confederate soldier who served
under me can get a part Of the las
crust I possess, on one condition. 1
he was a good soldier, he was opposed
to everything the Republican part!
ever advocated. No man who Tough
with me will ever go hungry. But yo,
either surrendered before or after th'
war, and will see you so deep in hel
before I will ever give you a cent tina
you would not reach the bottom under
six thousand years. Get out Of here
and if you ever speak to me again there
will be trouble. I will shoot you If yol
ever dare come into my presence. Now
get"
General Early never doffed the Con
federate gray. He wore it winter ant
summer. His hat was a big white
slouch of the finest texture. His beard
was snowy white. and he was a famil
lar figure on the streets at all times.