The Big Stone Gap post. [volume] (Big Stone Gap, Wise County, Va.) 1892-1928, 1907-10-16

and has kept it i'm a high state
OF preservation. He removed
his family to this place Abou,
ten years ago, where they have
lived ever since.
In early boyhood Col. Slemp
showed a remarkable aptitude
for intellectual pursuits. After
taking the preliminary course
at the County schools, he en-
tered Emory and Henry College
TO complete his education.
Young Slemp took high rank
as student, and was a leader
IN all college affairs. Before
completing the course the great
civil War was upon the coun-
try, and young Slemp was one
OF the first 20 volunteer i'm de-
tense of his state and the South
land. His natural genius for
leadership made him Captain of
his Company and he soon rose
TO be Lieutenant Colonel. then
Colonel of his regiment. the
9th Virginia Infantry. In one
respect this splendid regiment
was unfortunate in not being
sent TO the front TO battle for
the cause of the COnfederacy.
but II did great service To the
cause. 1t was assigned as it's
duty principally, 10 guard the
mountain passes of Southwest
virginia, and prevent foraging
oy the enemy on the fertile /
farm lands of the South west /
valley. This regiment per
formed its duty we'll and bar.
ucipated with honor in several
OF the minor engagements of
the war IN this section.
AT the conclusion OF the war \
lake thousands of others of the /,
best youth of the South. Col
Siemp returned home TO start
life anew and repair his shat
tered fortunes.
He turned his attention To
iarming and stockraising. and .
was one of the most successful 4
men IN this section. Ia 1874 ha 8
y as elected 20 the legislature
rom Lee County as Democrat I
lnd was reelected i'm 1881. and
served Tor two full terms with
honor and distinction. Ii was
u this time that the Read ulster q
'arty arose IN Virginia ON the a
Question of settling the state q
lebt and divided the old politi- =
al parties. Col Slemp. who Il
'as' prior TO this time. a Dem. q
crat, sided with the Readius ?
err movement, aud took a prom =
nent place m the Councils of 81
hat party. la 1883 he was p
omlnated 10y the Readiusters 3
pr The State Senate from the a
ounties OF Lee, Wise aud Scott. y
az was defeated by Hon. G. r v
ianarN. OF Wise, after hard
ought and memorable batfle N
IKE most of the leaders of the an
.cadJuster movement. Col "a
Temp became a Republican
, 1875 ne was ciectOr OF the lis
lnth District on the Harrison
cket, and canvasscd the dis. ii'
let I'm its behalf. In 1850 he H.,
as nominated for Lieutenant &c
oVernor by the Republican
ate convention on the ticket
ith Genl William Mahone
al made "A canvass OF large -,
triton OF the state for the snc. si
IS OF ms party's ticket. but Ma
IL Wen known, was defeated are
lth the rest of his ticket In ~
20 Col. Slemp was Supervisor n
the Census for the Ninth IA
strict, and discharged his o"
~ with skill and correctness
rom that time until 1902 VI
hen he was elected TO Con
ess, Col. Slemp never sought
ONCE, but was always prom
ent and influential in the
.uncils of his party.
IN November 1902 Col. Slemn
Is elected TO Congress. was % .
elected again in 1904. and 3
ain IN 1906, having served 81
people of this district long -
IMAM any other man in its ..
tory. Col Slemp's history 90
Congressman from this dis.
81 Is well known to the read re
OF tins paper. He was o.
''ninent IN National affairs a.
was frequently consulted nv 50
President in raera,.a =. . o.