The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-03-22
Captain Murray Taylor, of Virginia,
Cut the Tree. But Didn't
Confess.

Rt. Rev. w. r. Nichols, Bishop of
California, has the following in the
Pacific Churchman about a Virginian
and Confederate veteran--Ca plain
Murray Taylor-well known in Rich
mond and Fredericksburg.
The Cherry Tree" Story Amended.
"parson Weems, minister OF the
Episcopal persuasion, who was cheer
full in his mien that he might win men
to religion" as a contemporary saw
him, in some evidence OF that same
cheerful mien," has the credit of
contributing to our American lore the
Ratchet and cherry-tree story of the
boyhood of Washington. Under no
mist of legend rests the authority for
another story of Ratchet and cherry
tree which the writer of This had di-
recuy from the lips of the brave Con-
federate officer, the late Captain Muir
ray Taylor, Captain Taylor was a
distinguished staff officer during the
Civil War, "a personal friend of Gem
eral Robert T., Lee, and the officer
who carried the tiding to General Lee
OF the woundirg which resulted in the
death OF General Stonewall Jackson.
Captain Taylor himself having his
horse shot from under him in the
same volley that found General Jack
son within its range.
After the war Captain Taylor, with
his esteemed family came to Call
fornia, filing positions OF RESPONSE
bility here. For many years he had
charge OF a large coast ranch Of Mrs.
Phoebe Hearst Upon his retirement
from that by one OF those inconspicu-
GUS acts which characterize Mrs.
Hearst. she bought back for Captain
Taylor the early seat of his family.
with It's charm of outlook near Fred
erieksburg. Virginia, IL having passed
out OF the family possession, 1t was
when en- route 10 Virginia to take pos
session OF this home that, with his
face aglow at the prospect OF spend
ing his declining years amid the as
sociations of his boyhood and youth,
he told the writer OF this the story.
II must obviously suffer some in tell
ing 1t here in the third rather than
in the first person from the lack or
his own way of putting it.
His boyhood spent at FredericEs-
burg. on the opposite side of the Rap
pa hammock from that where was
Washington's carly home. brought TO
him many traditions of Washington
boyhood, and among them could not
fail to be that OF the hatCF1et and
cherry-treo. The old ia shioned mora !.
however much that has been subject
III nfgnSE GfltlGl~tu, UIASii Per id ps.
clair precedent IS the revers" Of that
in the figure OF the Psaimist, Thy
tongue lima giueth wlckedness and with
lies thou cuttest like a sharp razor. y
And ingenious youth is not to be
faulted especially that of an earlier
generation. If il seemed 10 suggest
with truth thou cuttest like a sharp
Ratchet" At any rate, the story APP
pealed to the boy Murray. Keeping
his own counsel. he found In his boy
mind the vision dawnng upon him of
what might. perhaps; come his way
from a repetition of the experience.
He had good Ratchet. Ills father
had the cherry-tree, and one cherry
tree in particular standing out near
the home seemed To invite just the
plot He pictured 20 himself in his
active Juvenile imagination the whole
scenario. He need not actually. fell
The tree, just a good, no-nistakc hack
ing it would do. Then he knew the
habit OF his father .fatly 10 pass by
that tree on his way 10 the house at
certain hour. He could do the
deed just little In anticipation OF the
paternal passing, awaiting the coming
TO the door of his father with some
possible fathcrly curiosity in the mat
ter. Then he would step out with his
little Ratchet. with prompt and as
! s,ITirrg verHcity Vow thu sesiseaai biliss.
Then would come the climax SO sweet
10 his hope of instant fatherly for
giveness and proud patttng on the
hcad Of his truthful little boy, To
have the vision wes II once 70 proceed
% eeAGe Io ehoee "a o0poexuAo