Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1906-03-13
Aliseeltanuus Beading.
ROMANCE OF GEN. WHEELER.

ROMANCE OF GEN. WHEELER.
How the Confederate Hero Got His
| Wife.
| Ella Jones was in every way worthy
Of being the wife of such a man as
General Wheeler She was a superior
woman in every way and she and Gen.
Wheeler were lovers from the time
they met till death called her from
his side. Born in a wealthy and cul-
tured home, she had not only superior
advantages of excellent school train
ing, but she had the constant associa-
ton of a mother of remarkable intel
ligence of mind and ability.
Mrs. Jones was an invalid and con-
fined to her room during the years of
her married life. Her great pleasure
and diversion was her looks and she
was considered one Of the best read
women OF her day. She bestowed the
greatest attention on the education of
her daughter. At the age Of twelve she
was sent to a famous boarding school at
Huntsville, Ala, In company with Miss
King. daughter Of a wealthy merchant,
Mr.. Robert King of Courtland. Col.
onel Jones could deny his daughter
nothing. He INDUCED her every whim
and mood. He was very proud Of the
beautiful and gifted girl. Miss Jones
lon nd rIs N
Huntsville at the residence Of Colonel
Bradford. On one occasion, Colonel
Jones and Mr.. King were visiting
their daughters in Huntsville. Mr..
King was making some moneyed ar
rangements for his daughter when Col.
Bradford turned to Col. Jones and said,
| And now colonel, what can I do for
Miss Ella?" Colonel Jones answered
Anything she wishes, Colonel Brad
ford. If she requires you to have the
court house moved, have 1t done and
draw on me for costs. II she wants
the town hall pulled down, have It
done at once and don't consider the
cost. If she wants you to feed all the
hungry children Of the city and nation,
issue a call at once for supplies and
iraw on me for the check. Whatever
| Ella wants she can have it."
1t used to be said in Courtland that
II was wonder Ella Wheeler was not
spoilt beyond redemption, but her
sturdy father knew the stock from
Iruh oh hn hn anf
mother who guided her. She was not
parvenu; her family had been rich for
generations and she had been taught
by her good mother to value things Of
the mind and heart more than costly
Jewels and beautiful dresses. When she
was very young Ella Jones was mar
ried to Col. Benjamin Sherrod, the
wealthiest man in North Alabama. He
lived only a short time, and early in
the civil war he died and she was left
beautiful widow with one child, a
little crippled boy-in fact, she was
said to be the richest woman in Ala
bama. 1t was in the beginning of 1861,
shortly after his marriage and extern
sive travels that the late Mr.. George
w. Points went to Lawrence county
to visit his two brothers, who had
plantations near Courtland. The war
broke out, and his wife being In i'll
health, he purchased a beautiful sum-
mer residence, Mountain Home" ad-
joining the Jones', afterward called the
tot tn hav
residing with her mother. Colonel Tom
Jones was then at war. And now be-
gins the romance Of General Wheelers
life-a little episode that does not
figure in the generally known history
Of the dashing cavalryman. General
Rosecrans, with a large Federal army,
occupied Chattanooga and Major Cen
eral Wheeler made a raid in his rear
20 cut off his supplies.
These had to be hauled in wagons
across the mountains. 1t was famous
raid for material destruction and
lasted for forty days. General Wheel
er had the broad Tennessee river be-
tween him and the Confederate army
but he succeeded in cutting off the
Federals until in the language of their
great historian, Draper. distress be-
gan to reign in their camps, the ami
mails Of the trains starved until there
were not horses enough to take a bat
terry into action, and 1t became doubt
full. whether the national army could
ho!d Chattanooga much longer" Cen
eral Wheeler had had repeated con-
ficts with the Federal cavalry. Once
the Federals pressed upon his small
force to the number of about $4,000.
and for some days, whilst making his
retreat, he had to repulse them from
every hilltop until he forded the Ten
nessee river. Having safely crossed the
river, he made his headquarters at the
home Of Colonel Jones. 1t was here
that General Wheeler himself became
prisoner, not to the Federal army
but to the beautiful young widow
Sherrod. Her charm, her grace, her
er. her old father and her little Grip
pied child made a great impression up
on him. He was compelled to continue
his retreat, but the memory of Mrs.
Sherrod remained in his heart. Some
how or other the Yankees" got an
ilkling of this and determined to have
their revenge. A body Of them crossed
the Tennessee river and raided the
Jones' home. They carried off Colonel
Jones. and being told that there was
an invalid in the house, the wife Of
Colonel Jones. who had not been able
to leave her bed for thirty years they
said that they would make her leave It,