Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1910-12-22
KAvANAUGH, MILLIONAIRE
Relatieve of Mexico, Mo, Man
George Hampton, Rebel
Soldier.

j =
gives the following interesting
story;
The Lakes-to-the-Gulf Associa-
tion is occupying "A prominent
place in the public eye just now
because of efforts being n,s ~
that organization 10 get the Isl
dent and Congress intereste i.
the improvement of the waterv a..
from the Lakes to the Gulf.
w. X. Kavanaugh, president of
the Association, recently severely
criticised President Taft for his
indifference in the matter, and
when Il committee headed by Mr.
Kavanaugh visited the President
their reception was anything but
cordial.
Mr.. KavanaRgh, " said Presl-
dent Taft, "I was ON the Bench
long enough to learn that it is the
duty of a judge to listen to testi-
mony of any man, no matter how
much he may have been abusing
the court at the corner grocery" :"
With this. the President turned
away abruptly and slammed the
resolutions down upon table,
waved his hand and said, "good
bye, gentlemen"
The distinction of being prcsi-
dent Of an important organization
and receiving rebuff at the
hands of President Taft throws
Mr.. kavanaugh into the limelight.
recalls to the minds of some of
the citizens here that he was Il
native Of this county.
The Kavanaugh family has IA
most interesting record in this
county, where his parents. Mr..
and Mrs. Jos. Kavanaugh, were
distinguished pioneers of this
part Of Missouri. Both were deaf
and dumb. They settled on Lou
tire Island in this county in 1909.
more than one hundred years ago.
and raised large family, one o.
their daughters being the wife of
Judge Matthias McKirk. one of the
first supreme judges Of the stat
Of Missouri. They are related f.
the well known Talbot family,
who were large slave owners and
p successful tobacco raisers in the
antebellum days. After the estab.
llShment of "A deaf and dumb
school at Fulton in early days, Mr.
kavanaugh s father and mother
: were both sent there and edu
Gated. After the elder Kavan.
augh completed his course at this
= institution he became teacher
- there, and so continued until his
death, which occurred about the
year 1874.
An interesting story is told here
by Emil Rosenburger, pioneer
citizen Of this county. He sale
that during Prof. Kavanaugh ,.
Y vacation in August, 1861, he cam,
: to his old home near Danville tt
f visit the Knox family. He alwayi
carried a slate and pencil will
him that he might talk to any on,
he should meet; but while gather
l. ing blackberries one day he los
n these necessary articles, and be
p fore long in seaching for his prop
q erty he found that he had strayet
> away from the other members o
n his party. While in the woods h
j.. encountered an ex-Confederat
soldier, named George Hampton
y who was making his escape iron
g Gen. Prices army, and was yer,
y much frightened. Mr.. Kavanaugl
4 having lost his slate and penci
" and being unable to communicat
with the young man mOtioned hi
4 hand towards the Knox house, an
:, gave Hampton to understand tina
is he was expected to 90 ON up t
this country residence, which h
N did. Mr.. Kavanaugh followe
" along at his side. When the
70 reached the Knox house, KavaI
q augh mOtioned for Hampton [
n take chair on the porch, and h
went inside the house and told Nj
Knox, on his fingers, to go and SC
Ill what the stranger wanted. Kno
W went out to question Hampton
who told him he was in he'll
a fix"
X "What is the matter?" aske
Ed Knox.
ak 'SWall - said Han,nton Nvoi