The Montgomery advertiser. [volume] (Montgomery, Ala.) 1885-1982, 1909-04-25
MA. AGEE WRITES OF DISTINGUISH
led ALBANIAN.
He Knew HfEn as far Back as the
"30'ss-He Writes Of n Famous
Case IN Which Governor
S8 Bngby Was an
Attorney.

BIZ ". "A. AGEE.
In The Advertiser of recent date,
containing "reminiscences of Gen. Wood
ward, appeared one referring to Arr
thur p. Bagby. This IN some particu-
lars does injustice to Governor Bagby.-
The old Indian campaigner's memory
no doubt is correct generally, in fact
1t was wonderful as TO Indians. half
breeds. their genealogy. dates. etc.
He often mentions the Weatherfords,
Tates, Monaco. Sizemores. Shomos,
Brandons, StigEins. McGirths and 9TH
ers OF Indian blood. whose descendants
live. on and near Little River In Mon
roe and Baldwin counties. They have
been long assimilated and are good
citizens. Many OF the creeks empty
ing into the Alabama River in South
Monroe took various names from them,
viz, McGirths. Randon's. Shomos. Bali
ly's. etc.
Valuable tracts OF land on the Ala
bafna River and it's tributaries were al
lotted to the ancestors. friendly In
dams, by the United states Govern
ment.
AS to Governor Bagby, I was raised
in Claiborne. Monroe County, and knew
him and his family in my boyhood; knew
them in Tuscaloosa In my youth, 1872
46, and knew them In later years. Ar
thur p. Bagby migrated from Virginia
in 1919 when a poor youth, settled in
Claiborne and began the practice of
law. He was often elected to the Leg
islature. and several times Speaker of
the House OF Representatives. In 1897
States Senator, and in 1S4S was APP
pointed by President Polk Minister to
Russia.
During his absence his family re-
sided at Claiborne. Possibly Bagby in
his young days may have sowed wild
oats and run with the boys. and been
belligerent, as General woodward mar
rates, but when I first remember him
in 1885 he was a staid, dignified, ad-
mirabIe figure of manhood. not pugna-
cious About the year 1927 he married
Miss Connell Of Claiborne. Of an old
South Carolina family II he had o
wife previously, Miss Steele, as related
by General Woodward. I never heard
of 1t. I am sure there were no chill
dren by such marriage. but a large
family by the Cornell marriage.
As to his politics. Governor Bagby
was in 1887, when elected Governor. 3
Jackson or Union, man, in contradis-
tinction from the Nulhfiers, or Calhoun
wing, after the notification by South
Carolina in 1892.
Afterwards the -Federals as
sumed and were called Democrats. and
In derision some opponents called them
Loco Focas. This extended to 1870
when lines were drawn between Whig
and Democrat.
Possibly Bagby may have been an
admirer, or advocate of John O. Adams
and Henry Clay in the early part of
1900. Many of our most intelligent and
patriotic citizens were followers of Ad-
ans until his star went down, and of
Henry Clay until hope was lost and
he proved a meteor, false prophet and
| a statesman for northern chimes.
James Dellet and John Morrisett, of
Monroe County, of whom he speaks
were Wings and at one time followers
| of Adams and Clay. Morrfsett was a
unique figure In Monros-Gounty and
! State politics. Mr.. Dellet represented
the First District in Congress for two
| terms--1S40-1S44- was one OF the
| ablest members ever sent from Ala
hama to Washington. During these
| years Mr. Adams presented petitions
| from old maids and lunatics in Boston
| for the abolition of slavery In the Dis
| trict OF Columbia and the Territories
/ In a speech before the House or Rep
resentatives Mr.. Dellet bitterly de-
/ nounced the ex-President, and with
: biting inVectiVe, pointing his finger al
J j. O. then a member of the House
said 'I voted for that man for Presi-
dent. 1 hope God will forgive me.
| fear my countrymen never Will.
So, with Henry Clay, who was this
/ idol Of the Wing Party. No leader evei
had a more devoted and enthusiastic
following. But his advocacy of ma
I tional bank, a protective tarim, sys'
tenn of Internal improvements by this
Federal Government, the gradua
emancipation of slavery in Kentucky
| and finally his opposition to the annex
| alton OF Texas, estranged his support
ers in the South, and finally led to tbs
| disinteRration, OF the Wing Party.
The Republican members Of Congress