Evening journal., 1911-12-29
NEW NEWS OF YESTERDAY
A Friendship Of Civil War
Days
By Holland.

I told yesterday an anecdote relst-
ing to the early life of the Secretary
OF the Navy in Garfeld's Cabinet,
William Henry Hunt. in New Orleans
in the years before the civil War
judge Hunt, who was born in Char
lesion, South Carolina, and whose
family We're very ardent Wings. went
with his fathers family to Louisiana,
and after a short course at Yale Col
lege returned to New Orleans, studied
law, became a member of the bar
there and, until the animosities cre-
ated by the sentiment which oul-
minated in the attempt to establish a
confederacy, enjoyed one of the
largest professional practices in New
Orleans
The vicissitudes Of the war and the
almost complete loss of his profess
sional practice caused young Hunt to
face life anew Immediately after the
close of the Civil War. He was very
glad to accept appointment as attor-
ney-general Of Louisiana in Recon-
struction days, and he was absolutely
dependent upon his salary as judge
of the United States Court Of Claims,
to which Office he was appointed by
President Hayes in 1872. From the
bench Of that court Judge Hunt was
called to the Navy Department by
President Garfield. Later he was
nominated by President Arthur Min
lister to Russia. since Arthur was
very anxious that William f. Chand-
Ter Of New Hampshire should take
charge Of the Navy Department and
outline a plan for a modern iron-clad
navy.
Judge Hunt had been in Office as Sec
retary of the Navy only a few weeks
when he invited a rev friends-two
or three members of the cabinet and
one or two other friends--to dine with
him. After the dinner was ended and
the guests were chatting over coffee
and cigars, Judge Hunter said;
This dinner Is in celebration Of a
i very happy and very unexpected
event. Before I tell you what 1t is
! fought to say to you something about
my financial condition. You all know
4 that on account OF the di7turbances
q. due to the Civil War I lost my pro-
i lfessional practice at New Orleans.
There was time when my pfofes-
isional income was larger than that
+ Of any man of my age in New Or
leans. / was poor enough after the
war was ended, and ever since
have been dependent upon my ofleial
place for the support of myself and
my family.
In those dark and lonely days Of
the Civil War and Of the Reconstruc-
ton period, when practically every
mans hand IN Louisiana was against
4 me because of my well known Union
beliefs. I had only one visiting place.
There was a Spanish Cuban who kept
a little cigar store not far from my
office in New Orleans When the war
was raging and when had only
three or four friends, / was accus-
toned TO 60 aroundfto my Cuban
4 friends office. smoke cigar with
him and then chat for an hour. or two
n with him. We became very friendly.
He was a quiet man. almost a re-
cluse. but found that he was some
thing Of a scholar We passed many
an evening together talking of Span
ish literature.
The little Cuban lived by himself,
as he had no family. He occupied a
small bedroom at the rear Of his
shop and. / think, went to one Of the
little restaurants near by TO take his
meals. ! noticed that he was a very
thrifty man, spending no more on
himself than was necessary to feed
and clothe him and had reason to
suspect that he had accumulated
quite a little property. My friendship
with him continued until | left New
Orleans. On my occasional visits 10
that city I always called upon him
and spent and hour or two with him.
"A few days ago I received a COM
munication from New Orleans law
yer He told me that my Cuban
friend was dead. that the court. ap-
pointed an administrator. and that
search showed the Cuban had left a
will. II states that he leaves ne
debts and that after paying expenses
for his. sickness and Funeral the re
mainder Of his property Is bequeath,
ed as a token Of friendship and re
suect 70 his longtime friend. William
Henry Hunt
This bequest Is not a very large
one but il makes It possible for m'
TO feel for the FIRST time in years tha
am possessed of a considerably
principal and am no longer dependen
solely upon my salary for SUPPORT
II is In honor of the memory of M
friend and in recognition OF his kind
ness to me that I have asked you Z
oine with me tonight
Copyright. 1911, by Z. J. Edwards
All rights reserved.)
Tomorrow Mr.. Edwards VIII tell 0
d.. III O,rorod noc az C.0Id. -