Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1921-07-12
SOUTHLAND STORIES
Larry CAN'T Gives Some Interesting
RecOIleCtlOnS.
TELLS OF The MEN OF OTHER DAYS
intimate Recoleetions of James r.
Randall, Who Became Famous Be-
cause of His Authorship of "Mary-
land, My Maryland"
For The Yorkville Enquirer.

For The Yorkville Enquirer.
James R. Randall, author of that
! famous Confederate war son, Mary
land, My Maryland" was my personal
friend and l knew him long and inti-
mately. He was employed on the
Augusta (Ga.) Chronicle when I was
doing some special work for that pa
per. He visited me at my home when
I was managing tho campaign Of Col.
James M. Smith, when he was in the
race for governor of Georgia. Ran
dali came to Colonel Smiths farm
home and assisted me in preparing
my campaign literature.
Among his literary productions was
a poem, "Marse JIM" depicting the
loyalty and devotion of Colonel
Smiths thousand or more negro en-
ployees and which was a real gem,
ranking with Randall's best produc-
tions. But, as Smiths political enem-
les (bitterest among them Tom Wat
SOM, were depicting him as a slave
driver, l thought it not good policy
to publish it, and after the contest re-
turned the manuscript to Randall.
Randall was a handsome man, with
cleur-cut features and an eagle-like
eye His person and bearing would
attract attention in any crowd. A
more polished Southern gentleman !
never met. EIis face, his every move
ment showed his descent from the
Catholic nobility Of England who
came over with Lord, Baltimore to
settle the province Of Maryland, hence
his love and devotion to his native
state and which his ancestors helped
to create. For Randall was q rigid
Roman Catholic. He once told me
that he considered 1gnatius Loyola'
founder of the Jesuits, the greatest
man and organizer the world ever
knew.
Randall had charming and accom-
plished wife and beautiful little daugh-
ters and he was devoted to hiS family
He had q hopeful, sunny disposition.
and the only cloud I ever saw cross
his brow was when at times he would
talk to me about not being able to
provide for his family us they should
be cared for, and how he had to sell
his talent and pen for Il paltry S30 per
week and when he. had racked his
brain to prepare an editorial or article
Of unusual merit his employer would
claim for himself the authorship anG
ursurp the praise and honors. For
lanes R. Randall like unto Robert
Burns Edgar Allan Poe, John Howard
Paine and many other world-famous
writer's, was always hard run and lit
orally lived from hand to mouth.
Every day he earned was by day
and night grind at some editorial desk
for the wages paid q mechanic. While
bands were playing and crowds ap-
plauding his maryland, My Mary
land" the author Of that inspiring
southern song was perhaps walking
the streets without n dollar in MS
pocket and racking his brain about
some overdue and pressing bill.
Randall had friends who would have
Assisted him, but they knew his proud
and chivalrous nature and that any
proffer they made bearing the least
taint Of charity would deeply wound
his sensitive heart. He would never
uccept e. favor unless he could return
it or repay it in some way.
As a fnancier and business man
Randall! was stupendous failure. the
only thing he knew about money was
how to spend 1t.
When Noble built the new mining
town Of Admission, Alabama, Il daily
paper. "The Iron Age" was started
there. knowing Randalls fame the
company thought it ten-strike when
they put him in full charge. But coal
and pig iron and poetry and literature
don't mix worth IL cent. The paper
failed, and Randall went to work on
the Catholic World. OF Baltimore
where his religious faith and religious
talent beautifully blended and were
appreciated.
To his intimate friends Randall was
most genial and delightful compan-
ion. When | found him in desp9nd-
ent mood soon learned how to dispel
the gloom and the cloud upon his lace
US mist before the sun rays.
Randall was IL great epicure ana
nothing delighted him more than Il
well prepared meal; but he always Sc
lcctcd his dishes and would send the
cook directions about just how 10 pre-
mare them. He said the FIRING pan
was a relic Of the Dark Ages ana
wrought more death and disease thln
plague. pcstilence and famine.
In my long acquaintance with San-
dali. never heard him utter Il wora
or recite IL story but could have been
spoken In the presence OF lady. u
anyone in his presence started Il stnr!
tho least "s,nutty" the look Of dis
gust on I.andull's face quickly silenced
Ihc narrator.
So. when found Randlll in one OF
his blue spells would grab him by
the arm, guide him into Il lirst-class
| hand him, tho hill -Or-