The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1902-02-08

Something of His Early Life-More
Man at IA Than Most Of Boys
at 20 Years of Age.
For the Democratic ADVOCATE.


purpose giving a few facts connected with
the fife and character OF Iammanys present
chief that are not known to the outside world,
hut It can be said that at a very early age he
developed a most remarkable character. The
man ne is in the worlds eye was already a
formation when he was very young IN years
He was considered quaint from the fact thai
his thoughts lowered above those of his play
mates. He was a thorough naturalist in SYM
nathy. inclination and fondness Of research.
AT the early age of IL or IL years ne could
love bird, rat, snake, lizard, terrapin or
beetle with all the ardor OF his youthful nature.
He great foudness for handling them had a
tendency to estrange his schoolmates from
him. and they were not 10th TO apply the term
s.foolu whenever he approached them. In.
deed his condition at times was rendered
n;tiable by the withdrawal of friendship from
him on account OF his fondness for natural
history. Times without number he has ap-
preached the author Of this sketch with
remark something like this "Oh have
beauty here To the question WI hat IS 1T
Lewis ~ he would draw from his pocket
good sized snake and lavish his caresses upon
E knew his love of nature for its subjects.
and encouraged the boys tastes in connection
with his inclination. il was not strange that
he would hunt me up and exhibit his trophies,
and not at all strange that my f0ndness for
him constantly increased. He has approached
me with lizards and scorpions of two or three
varieties, drawn from as many pockets. The
real happiness that he derived from finding
congenial auditor added as much to my happI-
ness as his. The number OF beetles ne cap
tured and studied was wonderful. 1t was not
only their appearance that attracted his at
tentiop. but be made a close study of their
habits. His father, Col. Lewis Nixon, was
gentleman well-known as true type OF the
old Virginia school, and would at times be-
come very much amused at Lewis manifesto
tons Of fondness for his pets. Col. Nixon
was for some time sheriff of his county, and
during that time Lewis conceived the idea OF
getting up a private museum. bis fatner,
ever ready to yield to his fancles, granted
Lewis the use of an unoccupled room TOR that
purpose. Lewis soon proceeded to get ms
curios and had quite an extensive aggregation.
About that time he began also to study chem
istry. and while experimenting on one occa-
sion with chemicals an explosion occurred
which demolished for time the chimera
which had so long been the pet OF his BRAN,
and the most terrible pandemonlum relgned
throughout the entire house. The doors were
omen and the snakes. Lizards, rats, white
mice, beetles, spiders, toads, frogs, ground
and flying squirrels ran all through the house,
striking terror to the hearts OF the inmates
generally. Thus ended the museum. lie
never entirely rallied in that line Young
Nixon's actions during his school days sh9Weu
him to possess a mind far SUPERIOR to his class
mates. He loved study and always excelled,
and that same spirit has developed and shaped
his course up to the present hour when the
idea of a naval course was formed he was OBJ
livious to everything else, and | had his as
surance that upon his acceptance as cadet
she would head his class every year, and
the promise WAS well kept. Directly after
entering the Naval Academy. IN answer to a
question, 'sLewis, what is the vision ahead,
Commodore, or Admiral r. his determined
reply was, Nothing less, It close applica1lon
and hard study will avail Had he have re-
manned in the navy his irrepressible spirit OF
study. coupled with determination that never
halted or wearied, would undoubtedly have
clothed him with the rank alluded to. After
serving his term, when the offer was made by
the ROYAL Naval College at Greenwich, Eng
land. to accept FIVE cadets from U. D. with an
assurance that If their course was satisfactory
rank would be conferred upon them, It was
then that young Nixon, in the might OF his
manhood, applied to the President TO appoint
him to the position. The President hestated,
but said to him, sYoung man L admire your
pluck, and will do all | can for you. soon
after this he was appointed. His course was
hioblv honorable to his country, the Royal
NAVY. and himself His life since that is
matter of history, and today, at the head OF
one of the most powerful political organlza.,,
tions on earth he stands preeminent, and will
prove equal to any emergency that may arise
in connection with .'rammany. People ln-
terested will find, as expressed by Mr.. Croker,
that .sali the money in New York could not
hire Nixon to do wrong" Under his man
agement a great future is predicted for the
organization, and legions OF good' nonest
working material will be added to its roll.
Lewis Nixon, in his acceptance, assured his
associates that he would never be content to
be figure head. He spoke the words OF
truth and soberness. He has never posed as
such in any position in his past life, and it IS
notin his nature to do so. Progress is stamped
in indellible characters throughout his whole
nature. The responsibility is great and Mr..
Nixon will prove himself equal to the demands
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