The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1906-12-14
DESERVING TRIBUTE TO
MAI! W. J. WHITTHORNE
(Col ]. B. Killebrew in Nashville Ban
ner Sept "a, 1904


see are better known than Maj W. j
Wbitthorne. He was born in Bedford
: County in 1S45, a son of Mai. VIM. j.
Whitthorne his mother being sister
of Hon. w. H. Wisener, one of the
highly distinguished men of Tennes-
see. Young Whitthorne received his
early mental training in the schools OF
| Columbia. While at school at that
place. though but Is years of age, in
1861, he enlisted as private in the
First Tennessee Volunteer Infantry
Regiment George Nancy, Colonel.
He was with Bragg in his invasion of
Kentucky in 1862 and was severely
wounded at the battle of Perryville,
Oct s, of that year, was captured,
paroled, exchanged and returned to his
command in January, 1868. In the
latter part of that year he was made
Superintendent of Army Records for
Tennessee with the rank of Lieutenant
Colonel. but retained this position on
ly until May of the following year,
when he resigned and resumed his
place as a private. serving in that
capacity until the termination of the
Civil War He was a soldier under
Gems. Lee and Jackson in Virginia,
and Bragg, Johnston and Hood in the
Army of Tennessee, never missing a
duty for four years, with the exception
of the ninety days when he was
wounded and prisoner.
Mr.. Whitthorne was always ready
for the performance of the most dan
gerous duty whether in the field as
scout or on picket duty No more gal
liant soldier was in the Confederate
service. He was at the battles of Shi-
lob. Corinth, Perryville> Murfreesboro,
Chickamauga. Missionary Ridge, Re
SAGA, Kennesaw Mountain. Atlanta,
Franklin. Nashville and did his duty
everywhere. He knew no such word
often depressed. the spirit of young
Whitthorne seemed to rise above
disaster Hard service to him was life
and strength and glory. He carried
through these campaigns and battles
a minnie ball that wounded him at
Perryville and lies imbedded in his
breast even to this day.
After the war Mr. Whitthorne en-
tered the Law School at Lebanon,
where he was graduated and began
the practice of law in Columbia. In
1869, shortly after he opened his office,
he was, without any solicitation on
his part. made Clerk of the Circuit
Court, which position he held for two
terms, but declined to give the use
of his name for the third term. He
protected Congressman Arnell from
the fury of a mob in Columbia and
was rewarded for this gallant act by
being made legal voter and was
probably the first Confederate soldier
in the State to be clothed with this |
privilege.
Twice he was elected a member of |
he lower branch of the Legislature, |
The first time in 1885, and then again |
n 1888. In 1892 he was made State |
Senator for the counties of Maury. |
Perry and Lewis, having no opponent /
n this race. In the season of 1898,
lie was probably the most active mem
Der of the Legislature. He served on
more committees than any other Sen
tor, and for honest, brave, diligent
md faithful work he had no superior,
an equal. BY his Investigations he
many corrupt practices and
purified the atmosphere of his party.
lie proved himself to be a most In
worker, and the breath of
uspicion never attached to his name.
lie is entitled to much credit for re-
orms and economies in the manage
ueut Ot the CudTIIdhle lUSIlLuLlOnS Vi |
he State. for aiding in the abolish
nent OF the use of mechanical appli
nee" in our insane asylum, for the
cceptance by the State of its best
the Industrial School,
onated by Col + W. Cole. While
Iaj Whftthorne Is an uncompromts-
1g Democrat, he is extremely popular
yfth Republicans-never having al
owed politics to have any influence
yer his social relations.
But while the political and military
areer of Maj. Whitthorne has made
is name familiar to every intelli-
ent man in Tennessee, his work as a
citizen directed toward
Ne development of the material re-
ources of the State is of far more
value. He has been in
since 1882, in bringing
lany millions of dollars for invest