The Crittenden record. [volume] (Marion, Ky.) 1904-1907, 1905-08-04
Interesting Letter.

Mr. Edltor:-
The sixty year old letter that you
published last week was very interest
ing. 1t will occur to the mind of but
few persons that it was written before
our war with Mexico.
William Hale married Elizabeth Man
ahan in South Carolina. They we're Of
Scotch-Irish descent and, after their
marriage went to Virginia. From Vir-
ginia they came to Kentucky and set
tied on what is now known as the old
Dowell farm seven miles east Of this
place. This was just about one hund-
red years ago. They carried my moth
er, then babe, across the Blue Ridge
on a pack horse. My mother was
their oldest child and only daughter.
They had three sons, one Of which died
in youth. Thomas, the Oldest son, was
minister Of the Gospel Stephen
Fowler, the youngest child, and author
Of the letter, graduated at Cumber-
land College, then great institution
Of learning at Princeton, Caldwell
county, Ky. Richard Beard was his
teacher in Latin, Greek and Hebrew.
After his graduation he determined to
go TO Alabama, then a new country,
and considered in those days to be
great place for young men to start in
business. My grandfather gave him a
horse, saddle and bride with the
ubiduitous saddle, bags Of those days
and fifty dollars in money, and said:
my son, this is all ! ever shall be
able to do for you, therefore, be honest
and Industrious and you will succeed.
Good bye"
Then, Steve was gone on his long
and perilous journey. Hesold his horse,
saddle and bride, but not the saddle
bags-they were his wardrobe. He
went to work and taught school, at
D the same time putting in all Of th'
spare time he had reading law books
He returned to Kentucky and gradu
ated at the law school in Lexington
' went back to Eutaw. Alabama. an'
engaged in his profession and soon ha'
a lucrative law practice.
c About this time he married Mar,
Kirksey, the daughter Of a wealth,
j planter and a year or two after thi
u our war with Mexico came on and h
y raised company Of Alabama yolur
u teers for the invasion Of Mexico. unde
le General Taylor. He was captain o
= = this company, He participated
:, q nearly all the great battles Of this wa
~ and saw the famous Mexican. Gener'
u Santa Anna. and was on the battl
field when that general lost his wOode
u leg. He and his brave Alabamiar
9 helped to raise the stars and stripes
70 the capitol Of the ancient Mont
Eumas.
" The Mexican war over. he retume
Z home and engaged in his profession ar
" was soon famous as an orator, state
n' man and jurist.
" When the great civil war broke on
as the state Of Alabama appointed hi
OF commissioner to confer with the go
: crnor of Kentucky to ascertain. II Po
-
~ siblc. what part that state would tai
= in the impending struggle.
W My uncle. prior TO this time. was
" Henry Clay Wing. After this,
ne raised regiment Of Alabamians al
?" entered the service of the eonfcdera'
We a. colonel cf his regiment. He VI
., sent to Virginia and engaged In all Z
hu great battles around Richmond in I
''s early part u the war. His name h
's' lust been sent up with recommend
'N' ton that he be- promoted to hrigad
70 general when the great battles Of FI
''' Oaks and Seven Pines came on. As
''' wen, into the fight he said; Come
" my brave Aahamians. and the dag
%" ours." When the struggle Of q
fatcful day was ended and the smC
of battle had blown away. Col u
~. was amonr the dead.
His wife died q yellow fever alb
|lSIN
Mr. Editor. am glad for The OPP
ton tunity 10 say this much q my fC
A.. fathers. honor and revere q
49, rawr arI mrmury.