Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1905-03-29
GEN. "LEwp WALLACE.
Author OF "Ben.Hur' Conversation With In.
gersoll-Oies In Peace.


eyes on this world, saying to those
about him 81 am ready to meet
my Maker"
Gen. Wallace was born in Brook
vile, Franklin county, Indiana, in
1927. His father was Gov. David w.
Wallace. AS schoolboy young
Wallace cared more for books out
side of his course of study than for
the lessons assigned him. He de.
lighted in making on his slate pic
lures Of his teachers and fellow-pu.
pills, and took an active part in all
outdoor sports.
His first ambition was to become
an artist, but he was prevailed upon
by his father to study law. This he
discontinued to serve in the Mexican
War as second lieutenant. On his
Ieturn he resumed the reading of
law, moved to Covington, and later
to Charlottesville, which place was
his home as long AZ he lived, except
when he was abroad in the Diplo-
matte Service.
Gen. Wallace achieved his highest
fame as an author, although he made
for himself an honorable place in the
history of his country as military
character. He also accomplished
something as an artist, as is evil
renced by the excellent oil portrait
OF Sultan Abdul Hamid which hangs
in the Generals library. Speaking
of this picture, the General said /: 81
had to be very sly about the sketches
4 made for if had been caught at
it, it would have made great row,
even if l was member of the
Diplomatic Corps. Mobammedans
regard picture-painting as sacri-
lege."
Gen. Wallace did valiant service
in the Mexican War, and also in the
Civil War on the Northern side.
Of the several books written by
Gen. Wallace, "Ben- Hur" is by far
the most popular. 1t was published
by the Harpers on November II,
1880. The first year it showed no
signs of popularity, and did not i'm
prove much the second. The pub
fishers hesitated for a time about ac-
cepting the book, for fear it might
not prove financial success. We
can fancy some member of the firm
of publishers saying to others at the
beginning of the third year: 81 told
you So" But just then it began to
grow in sales and in popularity, and
has grown steadily, until now,
twenty-five years after its first APP
pearance, the sale is greater than it
has ever been. 1t is said that the
book has been translated into every
important tongue in the world.
a newspaper correspondent who
visited Gen. Wallace at his home
last year gives some interesting in
formation in regard to the man and
the book. He said to the correspond
ent /: 81 listened to Robert @. lnger-
soil one night, all the way from Gin
cinnati to indianapolis. He talked
intidelity all the way, and, while |
was not then religious man, his con
so stirred me that when |
got off the train at indianapolis |
walked in the streets an hour, to
quiet myself before going to bed.
Prior to that time had paid almost
no attention to the Bible or to re-
ligion. My life had been a busy
one, and | had overlooked matters
of the soul. then decided that
these were the great questions for
man to study, and also that every
man must investigate them for him
self. ] began at once to read the
Bible, devoting my time chiefly to
the New Testament and the life and
sayings of Christ. The result was
that came TO believe in the Bible. ]
gave up all doubt as to the existence
of God, and that fact is as firmly
fixed in my mind as the fact of my
own existence. came also to be-
.ieve in Christ as the best embodi-
.,,n.,t nf thn hiuinn Snirit ,nnr