The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1902-07-17

~ uScI vi Win dhhd
zeal. Nor did he relax his efforts in
this respect after his return home,
devoting to such books as were with
in his reach all the time he could
spare from the ordinary duties OF
life. In the latter part OF
his life he was often heard to say that
his eyesight failed him sooner than
it otherwise would have done in con-
sequence of his reading so much by
freight in his youth and early man
hood-being then too poor to buy
candles-his small patrimony having
been exhausted during his minority
in bis support and education.''
In 1879, when the war clouds had
descended upon the South, he laid
aside his studies at college and has
tening home enlisted as a private in
company of which his brother John
was captain. He continued in the
service as a private, except as inter-
rupted by Legislative duties until pro-
visional articles of peace were signed
in November, 1882, and though
commands and places Of trust and
confidence, as we'll as OF ease and
safety, were often rendered him, he
invariably declined them;'' nor would
he ever accept "A cent Of pay for his
services. When the war was over
and provision was being made for the
soldiers of the revolution, he declared
that ''no state of fortune could in
duce him to accept it," His was q
knightly spirit freed from the license
and extravaganza of knighthood. He
served from the love of serving and
when the frosts of many winters had
crowned his head. the State was still
to him Our beloved mother North
Carolina"
While in the army and scarcely yet
twenty-three years OF age, he was
elected the first Senator from Warren
county to the General Assembly OF
North Carolina. 1t is said that his
first intimation OF the election was a
summons from the Governor to at
tend a session of the Assembly, and
that he would have declined the hon
or but for Gen. Greene, who heard oi
his purpose and persuaded him that
he could be of greater service to the
army in the State Senate than as
private in the ranks. 1t is said that
he did not disappoint Gen. Greene's
expectations, aud that it was largely
through his efforts that the army re-
ceived the supplies which made pos
sible the battle of Guilford Court
House and the hard marches that fol-
lowed it.
He was Senator five terms, begin
ming in 1871. His recognition was
prompt and the records Of the Senate
show that he was one of its most IN
dustrious and influential members
His strict regard for the law was a:
manifest here as in his later life. Ger
tain goods had been impressed from
merchants in EdentOn for the use o
the army. 1t was the occasion OF :
petition to the Assembly, Mr.. Macon
chairman of the joint committee tt
consider the matter, reported: sit i
your committees opinion that tn
impressment of goods by genera
} warrants is unconstitutional, oppres
sive and destructive of trade" Fort.
: wears later he wrote to his friend
Bartlett Yancey, ''The book Of Judge
: ought to be attentively read by ever.
5 man in the United States to see tn
terrible effect on the Israelites for de
g parting from the law which was thei
e constitution, and SO ought the boo
of Samuel and Kings; indeed tn
4 whole Bible contains great know
: edge Of the principles of government
e The rising generation forget In
principles and maxims OF their fore
: fathers, Dencc the destruction Of FIRE
r government in every age. VI wins
n benefit was the law to the children c
: Israel when they departed from it,
n what benefit are written consiit'
e tions if they be departed from; III
a wise maxims they may contain al
d useless, perhaps worse than useles
II if not adhered to, because none!
e people abide by them, and others
j not"
d He married Hannah Plummer Oct
], BERG, 1888. The marriage was mos
o happy one: but of short duration. 81
J. died January II, 1890, leaving So
Plummer, who died in his sevent
r. year, and two daughters, Betsy Il
l. who married VIM. Martin, of Graz
IS Vile, and Seigniora, who marie
,r VIM. Eaton, Sr., of Warren. lie nsV
a. married again.
q Mr.. Macon established his home
is Buck Spring plantation, some te
n miles Northeast of Warrenton. he
died and were buried the wife al
20 son, and here were spent the lor
al wears which grew into lonely Old az
S In splendid grove Of many hundr
t, oaks he built plain dwelling OF po
IS lar plank. One room sixteen fe
to square, half story above and a bas
he ment below, was this mansion.
be wa. in keeping with his slend
s. means at the outset of life, and Who'll
u sufficient for the simple tastes OF t
as lonely man when the light OF his
X had gone out. Offices such as we
b. common in that section were plac
m about the grove for the accommo(
on ton of guests. The old time kitch
lat with lis great fire place, in which
OIL have stood fully erect. was nearly
ne front of the dwelling and close
,ly AS usual in old places in that co.
in try, the barns and stables were ii
nd reached in approaching the hou
lee The great spring from which
Or place derived its name was in
a stocked deer park. Mr.. Macon t
ms much pleasure in the park and G
os- posed of his deer by will.
IAN | visited the old home in Is
to in company with DIR. Francis
ol- Macon. and obtained photographs
rs. some of the most interesting objee
IS Some five hundred oaks of the
er- grove remained. The dwelli
.ry kitchen, some old barns and serv
ich houses were then standing. fri
ted in Warren county writes me:
vas would lay emphasis upon his unf
the ing honesty, the intimate, frien
of and social relations he maintai
'as- with hi. neighbors, his faithful att
dance uDon the little country chul