The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-04-05
PATRICK HENRY WINSTON.

Patrick Henry Winston, who died at
his home IN Spokane, Washington. last
Sunday, was one of the most brilliant
and interesting public men ever produced
by the Old North State He was born
in Windsor, BERTHE county, the oldest son
of Patrick Henry Winston and Martha
Elizabeth Byrd. On his fathers side he
was kin to the great orator of the Revo-
luton; and on his mothers to Col VIM.
Byrd, author of the Westover Manu-
scripts, whom John Ester Cooke pro
rcunced the finest scholar, wit and humor-
list of Colonial times in America. AS an
orator, wit and humorst Pat VIM
stor would have ranked among the fore
most in any country. There are hun
dreds, yes thousands, who can easily re-
call with pleasure his flashing witticisms,
his overpowering humor, or his thrilling
eloquence. Throughout North Carolina
for a quarter of a century he supplied
lovers of repartee with a feast OF wit and
humor. And in recent years on the Pa
cific Coast his fame for intellectual fencing
glew and spread until it reached across
the continent back again to North Caro-
lima.
He was graduated from the University
in 1867, the valedictorian of his class
1t was a memorable occasion. Andrew
Johnson, President; VIM. II. Seward, Sec
rotary of State, and other National cele-
br;tIes were present. Winston's father had
sent him a gold watch by Secretary Sc
ward. The great statesman was so
pleased with the eloquent speech of the
young graduate, that he added, as a pres
ent from himself, a beautiful gold chain
which he had worn for many years.
AS trustee of the University, as public
speaker, as editor and as attorney-at-law,
MI. Winston was in the public eye for a
quarter of century. AS a public speaker
he was bold, captivating, resistless. He
literally swept the crowd off its feet His
humor was immense; it swallowed up his
a huge ocean billow. But there was no
bitterness in him. He was loving, sympa-
thetic and tepder-hearted. Few men have
labored so necessarily for Others and so
little for self He understood the great
Fundamental principles of government and
of human liberty, and he fought for them
!, md II n no
carpet Dagger and reconstruction. 1t was
his great speech in Metropolitan Hall in
1876 that caused lac Legislature to
call a convention and repeal the Candy
Constitution. All the leaders of the State
were opposed to it, or were slow and
hesitating. After Pat Winston's eloquent
and unanswcrable speech, setting forth
the eternal fundamental principles of free
government and liberty, nobody doubted
nor hesitated.
He moved to the Pacific Coast about ten
years ago and was elected Attorney Gen
cral of the State of Washington.
few years ago his health failed. But
editing and publishing ''Winston's Week
"" a journal filled with the brightest
flashes of his wit and radiant with the
rarest humcr. The future seemed bright
and promising, when suddenly the end
cane, with failure of the heart; and the
great brain ceased to work, the big heart,
10 thrill with sympathy. He is gone and
his place in the world will not soon be
filed He leaves a widow and nine chill
dren of whom the eldest is prominent
l5wyer of Spokane and three others are
married lii North Carolina he leaves
three brothers and a sister; President
Geo. T. Winston, Judge Francis ID. Win
stor Judge Robert w. Winston, and Mrs.
Frank s. spruill.
Store Robbed in Lucama.