The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-01-12

and inestimable upon earth.
After the termination of the war
Mr.. Bocock devoted himself to the re
lief of his people from the manifold
evils visited upon them during TIL,
trying ordeal Of reconstruction through
1 ordeal during which the sacred wri
I OF habeas corpus was suspended and &
i helpless and unarmed people were sub
jected to the arbitrary rule OF military
/ masters.
Reconstruction Horrors.
Who can tell the countless horrors
experienced by the people OF the South
during that memorable period? It was
Infinitely worse than the war Itself, al
| though the war cost millions OF
treasure and hundreds of thousands OF
| lives.
Besides his other great gifts, Mr..
Bocock enjoyed the reputation among
his contemporaries of consummate
orator. He could move an audience
at will to laughter or to tears. His
influence over the juries Of Ills sec
ton was almost omnipotent and his
fund OF anecdote was well-nlgh mex
haustible.
He was in the habit OF telling an
amusing anecdote about his experience
In tho county of Franklin, while he
was a candidate for Congress. Bishop
Bowman was recognized leader In
the Dunkard Church. His Influence
was potential and his congregation
always voted as he directed. Mr..
tleman OF high character, who was
said to be somewhat addicted to drink.
Some Of Bishop Bowmans friends call
cd upon him and urged him to give
his influence to Bocock, adding as the
reason that his competitor was in the
habit of excessive drink. During the
contest the friends of the candidates
determined to have fish fry'Sin the
,neighborhood, and invited Mr.. Bocock
and Bishop Bowman to attend. When
objection was made to Mr.. Bocock's
competitor that he was In the habit OF
drinking too much, the bishop, hearing
the conversation. inquired IL Mr..
Bocock ever drank. to which the re-
ply was made, "Oh. yes, he drinks, but
he drinks Just right"
A Bishop Who Drank Right.
When enjoying tho FISH fry" the
members Of the party became little
hilarious and among them the bishop.
When he was summoned to appear be-
he made defense upon
the ground that the members had told
him that while Mr.. Bocock drank, he
drank just right, and on the occa-
sion of the fish fry he only drank
whenever Mr.. Bocock drank. The re-
suit of the trial was that he was rnan-
imously acquitted of the charge.
While Mr.. Bocock was Speaker of
the House Of Representatives, there
and a certain bishop of the Methodist
Church. Whenever the bishop came
TO Richmond he was always invited
by the Speaker to open the proceed
ngs of the House with prayer, and he |
with alacrity. He always
prayed in a most dogmatic manner,
saying, Lord, be with Thy servants
here assembled, be with their families
at home, be with our. brethren now in
the field" After he concluded his
prayer one morning he came down the
aisle on his way out, when he was
met by General Bonham, of South Car
oina, who said
Bishop, l couldn't help this morning
while you We're praying so fervently
Tor our brethren in the field putting
II by way of mental interjection, 'and
give the Yankees blankety blank" to
which the bishop replied, "Ah. Bonham,
hat was all understood, SIR
While F. w. M. Holiday was Gov
3ocock, among others, as member OF
he board of visitors OF the Univer-
sity of Virginia. Mr.. A. Fl. II. Stuart
vas rector OF the board. 1t was most
delightful to listen to their converse
ion as they detailed their experiences
while serving In the House OF Repre-
'entatives. They took a decided in
crest in the affairs of the university
md will be long recognized as earnest
If education.