The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1909-08-31

high opinion Of MS abilities. 1 read
his editorial contributions to the Rich
mond Christian Advocate with
great Interest and admiration. He was
absolutely unique, most original and
engaging as an editor. and when In
the midst of his fame he had but few
equals, II any, among Southern jour
nailStS. Tome he was a Strikingiy
impressive and ingenious as the great
editor OF. the Louisville "Courier-Jour-
nal" Col. Henry Watterson. They
stood apart from the other contempo-
rary Journalists in the Freshness, orisi-
nalltv and interests of their editorials
when producing their best examples
OF such work. I was Sinceley moved
when [ saw the announcement Of DIR.
Laffertys death whom 1 held in
Sucn manifest esteem and friendship
In perhaps the last fifteen years, or
longer, [ never had the great pleasure
Of meeting him, and for many years
/ was denied the exceeding satisfac-
ton Of reading his admirable contribu-
ions to Journalism. The Nashville
Christian Advocate, the foremost of
Methodist organs, had a SUI
perb suggestive and highly appreciat-
I've editorial on him lately. 1t gives
unique, original study Of the man. It
was correct n appreciative as to the
Interpretation of the brilliant editor
discussed 1t was not extravagant in
its study and representation OF the
wonderful editor. I wish to violate a
propriety relative to myself. I wish
TO reproduce here a short article writ
ten concerning me by my departed
friend and brother editor. 1t is only
lately that [ accidentally received g
most flattering short notice of myself
from DR.. Lafferty's pen. I had for
gotten it entirely, and when 1 came
acros sit among other forgotten arti-
cleS, l was both astOnished n graf
flied. The great excess in the praise
bestowed will be apparent to all, and
yet so much mistaken as he was, / am
glad he thought so kindly Of me. The
following was published in the Rich
mond Christian Advocate probably
twenty-five or more years ago. I do
not know who was the editor Of the
leading Baptist paper of this State and
of the leaders in the South at that
time. [ apologize for copying such
eXtravagant laudation SO much unde-
served by me. At that point I make
no mistake, for I have not been adj
dicted to e~xtravagant and absurd adj
miration of my own achievements with
the pen, and I do not hesitate to say,
within a few days now of my eighty
first birthday, that | do not doubt
hat there are quite fOur thousand
writer's in North Carolina who are my
equals and many of them greatly my
superiors, and perhaps the number is
even in much excess of that given.
Here is what DR.. Lafferty said in his
own p and it was very kind Of
him:
The newspapers of North Carolina
are canvassing the subject of a new
history of that State. It is suggested
that the Legislature appoint Mr.. T. B.
k~ingSbury, of the Wilmington Star, to
do that service, and fix his compensa-
ton at SO, 200.
Mr.. Kingsbury, as the Biblical
Recorder we'll says, is the most scho1-
arly writer in the State The story
of the grand DID Commonwealth told
by so brilliant and trustworthy a his
torian would be as engaging as a re-
nance, and unchallenged in facts as
the figures in the nautical calendar.
The completed work coud not but
bring n both to the author and
the State, fortunate in finding SO fit
and furnished an annalist."
Wilmington, Aug. 21, 1909.