The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1903-09-08
THE FIRST CUP DEFENDER.
Ex-senator Jarvis Gives a HistOr'
of the "America."

Jackson Springs, N. c., August 20
"I see in The Goldsboro Argus taac
Colonel James A. Washington, Of Colds
boro, was in New York just ffty-tWo |
years ago when the Cup was first won
by this country by the America sa"i
a gentleman to some friends, as they
were sitting near the spring last night,
after they &C all been imb:blnS large
pctations of this health-givlng water.
"Io you reckon there is another North
Cerolinian now living who was with
him, Nobody could answer.
Did you ever hear the history OF
America the BOAT that first won the
Cup?" asked ex-senator Jarvis who
vas the center Of the party. Nobody
had heard the story and Governor Jar
Wis told it substantially in these words:
I'm 1884 when as governor of North
Carolina 1 was in Boston to represent
the state at the Boston exposition. [
was invited with others to AXE a sail
on the ocean by General Benjamin
Butler, then governor of Massachusetts,
in his private yacht. 1t was perfect
in every equipment and sailed drought
the ocean with a SWiftneSS and grace
that I a never seen equalled. 1t was
a. delightful sail and I remarked upon
the fast sailing qualities of the yacht.
and soon understood why it made such
rapid speed. 1t was the refitted and
refurnished America that in 1852 won
the Cup from England. Here is it's
history as it was told to me: After
winning the Cup America was sold to
a southern man by the name of Lamar
and was brought south and was plying
in southern waters when the war be-
tween the states began. Soon it as
put into the Confederate service as a
private under the name of Nashville
and was so employed during most Of the
war. Toward the close Of the war when
it was in danger of being captured by
northern vessels it's captain deliberately
ran it ashore in the ST. Johns river in
Florida, where it remained until peace
was declared. Then General Butler,
who knew the history of the Nashville,
made up his mind to own her and pur-
chased Mr.. Lamar's interest and
brought suit in the courts, and won the
title"
At his point an interested auditor
said: eff Mr.. Lamar had brought the
suit the decision would nave gone
against him, but General Butler won On
the strength of his reputation as q
solicitor" 4
!, Without commenting on the rathel
pertinent interruption, Governor JARVIS
. continued: After winning the case
General Butler had the America over
5 hauled thoroughly, and on the day o.
the sail she was like a palace in ap'
pointments and equipments. AT one
= place on the boat the name the Nash
, vile could still be seen, thus telllns
= a portion of the Confederate history, Of
the first Cup winner"
1t is a rattle singular thing that tn
. first winner Of the Cup, which enthuset
all America, should have been a Confed
4 crate privateer, and should then nav
e been the private yacht Of General Ben
jdmin F. Butler. who was then tn
. democratic governor of the Bay state
Truth is stranger than fiction.
. "On tina sail, upon our return from
the ocean," continued Governor JARVIS
q Eve stopped at a famous club hous
where a notable fish dinner was serve
o nothing but fish, but all kinds of tn
best fish prepared most appetizlngly l
n every way known to the skill of tn
best cooks. Lord Coleridge, chief jus
e tee of England, sat at Governor But
ler's right and I sat at his left. tn
chief thing about the dinner that l re
t member is that during the entire Dime
General n. P. Banks, who sat next [
It me, devoted his time to trying to prov
to me that 'Stonewalr Jackson was nc
l. a great soldier"
e. Asked his opinion as to General Bu'
l. Ier's ability, Governor Jarvis replle
" by saying tina Chief Justice Coleride
=. told him he regarded General Butte
as the most accomplished man he ha
i ever known.
m Butler asked me a curious question
e. continued Governor Jarvis. He turf
cd to me in one of our numerous CO.
versations with him while I was in 30
ton and said: Jarvis, when you fellow
e offered a reward for my head, VII
an would you nav lone with me If "
, had captured me"
He paused a minute before ply
" and then said: Genera Butler, l a
h very glad we did not capture you.
We had 1 would not today have I
to pleasure of enjoying your hospitality.
n
'rt 1 had never before Known the histo
lie of the American ship that first broug
no the Cup to this side Of the Atlantic.
an is a history that has special intert
~ now. D. in New and Observer.
You Know WIN. Won are T%ktl
III When you take Groves Tasteless CT
his Tonic because the fNrmula is plain
~ -r;,t-l an arary hni tle Sh0UIn2 I'll