Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1909-11-24


E. B. WILSON.
Lexington, Va, Nov. Is, 1909
Mr.. E. B. WILSON. Fresno, Cal.
Dear Sir:-Your letter of recen
date addressed to Mr.. John A. Nc
Neel, he's been read to me and
have been requested to answer
you through THE LExISoro,
GAZETTE. The reason have bee,
selected to answer your ques
tons. is Because l was keeper O
the Lexington cemetery. at the tim,
Gen. Jackson's remains wore re
moved from the grave where he had
been buried in May. 1863. The
graves OF Gen. Jackson and his two
daughters, Mary Graham and Julia
Jackson Christian, were opened by
me and my helpers on the morning
OF the 18th OF June. 1891, and the re-
mains of all Of them removed TO the
vault under the monument that
stands in the cemetery.
This monument was unveiled and
dedicated on the 21st day of July
following, which was the Both ami
versary OF the first battle OF Mauas-
SIS. / became care taker Of the Lex
ington cemetery in the year OF 1880
and held the position continuously
for twenty seven years, and during
that time l do not now recall a day
that | was unable to perform my
duties on burial occasions.
The way came to know Gen.
Jackson and became keeper OF the
Lexington cemetery brings up bit
OF personal history, which l will re.
late.
My father. S. O. Charlton. who
was a painter by trade, moved from
New Market. Va, to Lexington
about the year OF 1929. AS l was
told by my parents l was born in
Lexington on the morning OF the |
18th of November, 1888, and was |
also told that my birth morning was
The time the stars fell" and DR..
Jordan. my fathers family physician,
'ften pointed me out on the street
IS the boy who came into the world
With the falling Of the stars. Ny
'ntire life Of 76 years has been spent
n Lexington with the exception OF
our years of the war.
My rather taught me bis trade
which l have followed all my life.
When the old soldier Barracks"
where the Institute now stands)
'ere first turned into quarters for
he cadets / can distinctly remember
~ father cleaning up tho quarters
nd painting them. and can also re-
all how active and eornest Geu.
NTH was about everything that
oncerned the Institute.
My father was employed for many q
ears afterwards to repaint the new /
I'D old buildings OF the Institute, |
nd being bis oldest son always
elped him and for four years after
ceased to do it l on my own &C
'unt did the painting, ard in this g
ay / met Major Jackson, when he !,
sme to the Institute as one CT it's
rofessors; and when Major Jack o.
IN came in possession OF his house i
hich is now the Jackson Memorial T.
ospital helped to paint his home. a
ajor Jackson was always pol te :,
i'd agreeable TO people who worked s
r him and he was extremely pune. fr
al to pay them, and after l got to y,
low Major Jackson he never for In
It me. M
When the John Brown raid was az
ade on Harper's Ferry, and John b
rown was hung.the Virginia peo-
3 began to look for trouble; and Pc
muel Letcher, Esq, "a brother Of N
IN. John Letcher. the war Cover nc
r Of virginia)organized a military tb
mpany OF infantry, named the
ckbridge Rifles, which afterwards =
came Co. 81, Of the 9th Regiment, at,
'newall Brigade. When this pa
mpany was organized, l became a Gu
mber. The organization OF this
npany was kept up until 1861,
en- in May We we're ordered to !
rper's Ferry. At this time three qui
my brothers had also become n mas
nbers Of this Company aad af.
vtrde aarved sbrouoha,k a.. Inc