The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1903-09-03
SKETCH OF BILL Arp
He Was Widely Known as An
Author and Humorist.

Author and Humorist.
Death of Major Henley Smith a Loss
to the South-Born and Reared In
Georgia lie Did nuch to Upbuild Ills
Native Stakeholder, Lawyer and
Lecturer : His Passing narks an
Epoch in the Field of Southern Lit
erature and Takes From the Country
at Large a Writer 1t Can Ill Afford
to Spare.
Atlanta Constitution.
Major Charles Henley Smith. the
gentle humorist whose letters in the
Constitution have delighted thous-
ands throughout the country for
over a quarter of q century, was
born at Lawrenceville, Ga, June 15,
1926, of Scotch-Irish parents. In his
later years he developed to a decided
extent the qualities of both sturdy
races, the rugged honesty and en-
durance of the manly Scot linked
with the sparkling frankness and
originality of a son of a Gael.
He began to acquire an education
at manual labor school, attended
Franklin College, Athens, now the
University of Georgia. Having stud
led law for two months, he was ad-
mitted to the bar. He removed to
Rome in 1850, where he became asso-
ciate with Judge J. w. II. Underwood
until the war broke out, in the prac-
tice of law
Major Smith was a staff officer
with General G. T. Anderson cold
Tige'') for eighteen months, after
which he was assigned by Mr. Davis
to judicial duty with Judge Eugenius
A. Nisbet, of Macon, who was at the
head of a commission to try treason
cases. He was thus partly instru-
mental in convicting three brothers
from Columbus for completely with
the enemy and they were incarcerated
in Savannah until released by Sher-
man, with other prisoners, upon his
entrance into the city. The court at
Macon was dissolved by the Federal
General Wilson, when he entered the
city on a raid. Ma ior Smith then
journeyed toward Lawrencevilie,
where his wife was stopping with her
father. In crossing Yellow river he
heard the enemy were ahead of him,
SO tieing the records of the treason
court up with a cord, he attached a
heavy rock to the bundle and they
sank forever from sight in the engulf-
ing waters. Another incident of these
days was the trip Major Smith took
with President Davis from Millen to
Macon, during which he nursed Mrs.
Hayes, then very young girl.
The quantity humorous letters,
abounding with homely philosophy
and unique observations on men and
events, we're first evolved from the
pen Of Major Smith in 1861, being
written principally to amuse the sol
diers. These letters proved every
where quite popular, and after the
war the author developed his skill as
a writer. He contributed frequently
to The Southern COnederacy, pub
lished in Atlanta by the late George
Adair and E. Y. Clarke, and continued
them until the war closed
After the momentous struggle had
been brought to a close ''Bill Arp
led the way in a philosophic accept
ance OF the result and determina-
tion to make the best of it, and his
letters We're tuned to the note of re-
freshing optimism. With a smile he
uncovered shams and wrote the truth
with q hand so firm and a Judgment
so true that he diverted the minds of
the people from Industrial misfor-
tunes while he urged a constructive
policy upon the stricken country.
Perhaps no writer ever represented
SO truly the temper OF his people, and
it is certain that none ever had
a more sympathetic class OF readers.
In January, 1865, Major Smith got
back to Rome with his wife and six
children. and Tip, the old family ser
want. He accidentally got Il chance
to plead for a fellow in Selma
arraigned on charge for embezzle-
ment, whom he got out of prison on
a $50, 900 bond and pocketed Il fee
of SIC, 900 Confederate money. Five
thousand dollars of this he invested
| in cotton cards, which he packed
into one side Of his valise, and the
other s., 900 in opium. returned
as he had gone, in a hack overland,
and with the addition to his Selma
investment of box of tobacco and
a bolt of Roswell sbirting, he took
| Bob HargrOve into partnership and
| they had the biggest stand in Rome
He practiced law in Rome with
| Judge Branham and also with Judge
Underwood, each for u long term OF
| years.
He moved to the Fontaine farm in
Barlow county in 1877. where Nabor
Feeeman, noble friend and good
fellow, figured in his letters. ''Cabe''
was a supply font for his quaint
philosophy.
Major Smith has been contributing
regularly to the Constitution for a
quarter of a century. No other
writer in the South is better known
or has a wider circle of readers. His
weekly contributions to the sunday
and weekly Constitution have been
eagerly sought throughout the coun,
try and the name OF the author is a
familiar one in nearly every house
hold in the Southern States. From
Virginia to Texas his letters have
been copied regularly following their
appearance in the Constitution, and
the articles have become popular
features in many OF the leading
Southern daily papers, as wefl as il
most of the weekly news publications
of this section.
/ The humor in bill APPS letters
has been termed quaint and homely
1t is that and something more. 1t is
rich and mellow. 1t is honest anC
untainted, breathing the fragrance
of a well-regulated life There is ne
cynicism in his nature to mar tn,
effect OF his work and his letters ar,
; without bitterness. Though for th