Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1902-06-06
SOME STORIES Or EARLY.
His Picturesque Ways and Life In Lynch
burg.

Lynchburg, Va.,-Stories concerning
i the late General Jubal A. Early ar
plentiful IN this city, where for NOR
than quarter of a century he made hi
home.
He was a bachelor and for man.
lyears lived in suite of rooms in
business block which he owned, at
tended by negro known as old Charlie
to every man, woman and child here
ICharles died a few years ago and tn
arrangements for his funeral wer
made by General Eearly. Whit
friends of General Early acted as pail
bearers and the burial was made in tn
white cemetery. The services wer
conducted by a white minister. Not
negro was in attendance.
General Early had such an antipath.
for negroes that he would not ALLOW
Charles to drink in saloons kept b.
negroes or in which other negroes
were allowed to drink. He Away
kept his servant well supplied will
money, but told him he must drink
where gentlemen were served"
"Charles,' the General is said tt
have remarked on several occasions
'if ever l hear of your drinking at 6
negro saloon or where negroes gel
drinks l will kill you, blank you"
Old Charles had good deal of hum
or in his make up. Once he found il
the street small brass medal with the
head of General Grant On one side. AS
an experiment. be took it up to General
Early and asked him what be thought
the thing was and whose likeness it
bore.
The General eyed the medal closely,
saying it was difficult to tell whom it
resembled. Then he began to get red
in the face and Charles started to edge
toward the door.
"Can't tell you, Charles, who it is.
Just hand me my stick, there, Charles, y
said General Early rising.
Charles gave him the stick and dash
ed out of the door just as the cane
struck the frame. Charles found the
medal in the ashes in the fireplace day
or two later.
A niece of General Early married an
officer of the United States army several
years ago, and among the first invita-
tions sent out was one to the General
It was received with about the same
composure that mad bull shows when
he sees red flag. If he ever agein
spoke to this niece no one here recol-
lects it.
Several years after the war General
Early wrote an article on some battle
in which he had taken part, and General
William Malone took exception to some
of his statements. An acrimonious
ensued. winding up
with challenge from General Early
to fight duel. He proposed that they
should go into 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
his proposition, saying that he did not
believe that General EARLY was in earn
est in wanting to fight General
Malone.
''Well, let him accept, - was his reply
~ prefer to have room where we
will not be bothered. Shotguns,
double barrelled, loaded to the muzz!e,
with a 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 close friend of
the late Charles w. Button, for years
editor of the Lynchburg Virginia. 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 Gereral one day in the Summer
while seated in the editorial rooms,
General Early turned to Mr.. Button
and said
Charles, have only one fear at dy
ing. l know that l amSaot a Christ.
Ian. but there is something worse thai
| DEATH"
Mr.. Button slowly asked the Gen
eral what he meant. General Early
began to straighten himself up and
called Mr.. Button to window.
"See that" be said, pointing at a
poet going down the street. 1.-THE
only reason that have to fear death
is that--that poet will wtite some
graveyard poetry about me-"
On one occasion an old Confederate
soldier applied to General Early for as
| 6lotc1ACC III q way liz OIO
General recognized the man al
a soldier who had belonged to his com.
mand, and began to ply him with
Iquestions, all of which the applicant
answered promptly, and, as he believ
ed, to the satisfaction of the General.
Nov, William, said General Early
at last. II want to ask you final ques
tiOn. Is it true that you have becom,
a Republican, and have taken the
stump in the support of the so.calle6
principles of that party7 Tell me tn,
TRUTH
The man looked General Early in tn
eye for a moment and replied that h,
was Repu blican, and had always beel
lona-eVen when serving under him i,