The Vinita weekly chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1905, 1903-06-25
ORIGINAL COLONEL SELLERS.
uniane Character ImmortalIzrd BY
Mark Twain Lived and Flour
iHhed IA Missouri.

One hears almost annually, OF soma
person 'who was Mark 1Swain's in
splrationn for the famous character
Of Col. Mulberry Sellers that won
derful optinist who has delighted
two generations, taught the lesson
Of human kindness and loving charity
as 1t was never taught by mortal
man, and given mingled happiness
and merriment TO untold thousands
OF our time. just how many persons
have received this enviabls distinc-
tion we shall not undertake to say.
They are innumerable by this time,
and we shrink from the task of as
sorting and classifying them with
anything like care. Indeed, we are
relieved Of that laborious and futile
undertaking by the sure knowledge
that Mark Twain had originally In
mind the late Thomas A. Harris, Of
Pewee Valley, KY, some Is or 20
miles 20 the north of Louisville, says
the Washington Post.
Gen. Harris was a Missourian-a
man OF travel, education, wide expe-
rience, indomltable courage, and en-
gaging manners and appearance.
Gifted far beyond ordinary men in
brains, address and noble instincts.
he was believed In private, success
full In affairs, admired, respected and
confided in by oil who knew him. He
made millions like n genius, and spent
them like n prince. He was q soldier,
a poet, an orator, a bold and shrewd
speculator. No one ever lost dollar
through trusting him. His failures
and disappointments touched himself
alone. Mary Twain knew him well
in the old days before the civil war;
thrilled responsive TO his sublime con-
ceptions and the alluring eloquence
with which he gave them shape and
substance; recognized his fine charac-
ter, his noble purpose, his chivalrlc
soul, felt the full charm Of his amaz-
ing personality. Aud Mark Twain,
In painting Col Mulberry Sellers.
merely utilized the pathos, and the
humor and the splendid and beautiful
benevolenee Of the mans unique and
brilliant nature.
Senator Vest remembered dear old
Tom Harris. II was he who In the
fall Of 1861, when Price was be-
sieging Lexington, Mo-, and when all
efforts failed 10 dislodge Mulligan and
his immortal Chicago brigade" con-
ceived the expedient OF the hemp
bales, and put the confederate army
behind them, rolling the movable
breastworks up the hill and over the
union fortifcations 20 victory. But
for Harris genius Lexington would
never have been taken. Thrice the
force that Price had at his command
could not have successfully stormed
that formidable height. 4 year or
so later. Harris was IN Richmond
seeking n command. While there, he
fell out OF n fourth-story window
alighting, face downward, on a pile
Of bricks. Vest snid Of Il, afterward:
at would have killed a snow bird"
IN Harris case. there was only n
nose split right down the middle, and
a scar which everybody thought had
been made by a saber IN some des-
perate hnnd-to.hand conflict with a
hateful foe.
Harris was always the kind and
courteous and clear-headed gentle
man. He loved his fellow man. He
was always ready 10 share his last
dollor with anyone who seemed TO be
in stress OF sorrow. Great thoughts
issued from his fruitful mind. Pro-
dieious schemes and enterprises were
the children Of bis intellect. Untold
millions, IN which he had no share,
have been the creatures Of his light,
suave suggestions. lie never wronged
man or woman. He was Incapable of
deceit or pretense. But when he
talked al men listened. aout Of the
crumbs OF his opulent suggestion 9TH
ers gathered fame and fortune. And
he died poorl lie had made many
men rich. lie had distributed sue
cor. hope. encouragement, ms the
sower flings his seed. But he al
ways saw the bread upon the wnter,
and he never lost his faith IN man.
lie was Mark Twain's Sellers.