Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1908-08-26
KNEW GOLD HICKORY
Bryan's Guest Had Talked with
Andrew Jackson

him to anyone as were psid recent
ly to a visitor at Fairview. In
the throng of callers were includ-
ed many of the most distinguished
men in the nation, but to more of
them did Mr.. Bryan show the
high respect and elaborate courte-
sy that he did to the unpretentious
visitor.
His clothes were those of a
working man, though he is not one.
He is a heavilY-built, stocky
suuare-shouldered man with a rud-
dy face, a white beard, an old
felt hat and blue shirt, open OF
the neck. HE name is Pitcairn
Simon Morrison; he is 95 years
old, a veteran of the Mexican and
Civil Wars, and he cast his first
vote for Andrew Jackson.
No more remarkable character
has been seen in Lincoln for years.
AS he talked to the Democrat NOM
inee about things so far past that
to most of this generation, Mr..
Bryan included, they seem to be-
long to the era of the crusades. it
seemed as if he we're page from
history instead of man.
The old man, who lives in Big
Horn Basin In Wyoming, - took
car up to FaIrview and walked the
half mile from the station to Bry-
an 3 home in broiling sun. hen he
got there the family were at lunch
con, and it happened there was no
one to receive him. He came
back feeling disappointed, and
asked the newspaper men in the
tent at the gate if he could sit
with them and cool off before max
ing his return journey. Later be
went back to the house and i'm
mediately was greeted by Mr..
Bryan.
"Did you ever see JacksonS"
was almost the first question from
the master of FairvieW, who is
great admirer of the seventh Pres
ident.
eyes," said Mr.. Morrison, "and
l have talked with him. voted
for him in Ohio, in 1882. before |
was of age. They were not very
particular about such things In
those days in the Western Re-
serve"
Mr.. Bryan's eyes cleaned. He
hitched his chair nearer to his
visitor:
"Iell me, what sort of looking
man was Jackson2 l have seen
one or two men who voted for him
but never one who had seen him,
and l always wanted to know at
first hand what he looked like"
"He was a tall man, over six
feet HIGH" responded Mr.. Morri'
son. "He was net thin, but angu-
lar. He had a shock of hail
thrown back from his brow, and a
magnificent forehead. His whole
face expressed determination; he
was an iron willed man and In the
set of his mouth you could see by
the eternal as well as hear 1t.
"That was his favorite oath.
wasn't it2" said Bryan. Ibid he
use it in ordinary conversational"
mo, only when he was angry
or desired to be emphatic" re-
piled Morrison. shut l have heard
him use the expression several
times"
"Did you see him in Ohio, or
Washington" asked Bryan
Gin Washington" was the re-
ply. 81 went there several times
during his administration and saw
him nearly every time"
"Well, you have seen great
century," said Bryan, thoughtful
Iy. you've seen the invention
of the telegraph and the telephone.
You've seen the real beginning OF
the railroad and steam navigation.
"Steam navigatlon?" broke in
Morrison. "Why was born on a
sailing ship, two days off the
coast of Scotland, and when | ar
rived in America | was two
months old. Think of that in
these days of quick travel. "
About this time some of the pol
itical visitors who wanted to see
Mr.. Bryan about the campaign
tried to shove forward and attract
the nominees attention, but failed
dismally.
wait a minute" he said, "Tve
got something in here that will in
terest you"
He darted into one of the other
rooms and came back in minute
carrying handsomely-carved cane.
"That cane came from Andrew
Jackson's home, The Hermitage"
lie said. LAS you knew jackson,
you'll be interested in that. got
it there when | visited The Her
mitage in 1885,"
Mr.. Morrison examined it with
interest.
"You take that home" said
Bryan. "You will value it even
more than ! do"
Tears came in the veterans
eyes. 81 shall treasurer it all my
life," he said, and shall never for