The Washington times., 1902-06-03
PHYSICAL STAMINA
OF SENATOR PETTUS
Caused by Vigorous Out-of-
Door Life.
Story of How the Veteran Legislator
Has Reached Four Score Years
and One.

| Senator. where did you get the physi-
cal stamina that has brought you so well
along all your years."
This was the question asked the
| Junior Senator from Alabama Hon. Ed
mund Winston Pettus. who on July 6
will complete the eighty-frst year of his
age. Senator Pettus is an extraordinary
specimen of physical manhood, possess
ing the nerve and vigor even now of
well preserved middle age BY reason
of strength, indeed, he has attained four
score years and one, and that strength
has come TO him through love OF the
open air that was born in aim. His an
swer TO the question. was:
I've got what stamina I have from
life out of dors-vigorous life out of
DOORS
Unremitting activity has characterized
the long career of the Alabaman. He
vas. a young lawyer at Gainesville. Ala.
When the Mexican war came on. and he
Volunteered. serving as a lieutenant
Two years in the service. he thinks, did
not do SO much to harden his powers OF
endurance as later experience. In 1sig
with party of thirty young companions
he rode horseback from Gainesville to
California. They crossed he Mississip-
pi and rode straight. day after day, to-
ward the setting sun, through country
uninhabited save by savages. After
tarrying a while at Santa Fe they turned
northward, and made their way TO the
land OF the Mormons in Utah, and
thence TO the great Pacific Coast State.
The party had no trouble with the In
dians nor any semblance of molestation
except on one occasion, when a large
band of Comanches lowered ominously
about them. But the hardy young Ala
bamans were everyone armed to the
teeth, and demonstrated so effective a
familiarity with their firearms that the
Indians, very few of whom had anything
but spears and bows and arrows let the |
palefaces proceed with untouched |
scalps.
Life On the Plains.
After two years OF adventure and |
enjoyment of life on the plains
and in the Rockies. prospecting for gold
and hunting grizzlies. young Pettus re-
turned to Alabama. Resuming his law |
practice his neighbors were so pleased |
TO get him back that they elected him |
Judge OF The Seventh circuit. and. rid
Ing horseback to widely separated court
houses, he again INDUCED in the exer-
else which gave him the elasticity and
ers OF the gray adopted him as worthy
to 20 on the glory roll with Crockett
gigor Of muscle that now grace an old
age as wonderful for its force and glow
ng vitality. Then came the civil war,
when he became an officer OF o fighting
e egiment and later the commander of as
gallant brigade as ever carried the
stars and bars. He was captured at /
he siege OF Nicksburg. as was referred
o by Senator Bacon the other day. All
,ut by Grant in charge OF an officer.
,ut be wouldn't stay ut" He escaped
he same night. and the next day ne
vas leading his men against his late
aptors In one of the assaults upon the
Confederate works al vicksburg a strong
,ody of Federals stormed and took a
alient. making as breach In the de-
ences through which the whole of
irant's army might have poured. but
or the instant judgment and courage
I Pettus. then lieutenant colonel
Ie FASTENED to get troops to meet the
,eril; his own were not at hand in time.
waui's Texas Legion.
Waul's Texas Legion was the nearest
ody OF effective fighting men. Colonel
ettus quickly explained the situation.
he officers were doubtful until the men.
sarning his willingness to join them In
counter stroke. persuaded their lead
RS TO undertake to rccapturc the sali-
MT Lets 20 with him; he looks like
ell do" So Colonel Pettus led the
exams with rush. retook the point. I
Hing and wounding many and captur-
lg hundreds Of prisoners. Ever after
lat the Alabaman was fondly called (
Old Texas" The Lone Star State wear /
nd Houston. There were four years OF !
lceedingly vigorous and wearing exer-
on. but General Pettus went home hale 4
nd sound He found abundant employ
ent in the practice of his profession. c