Part 24 (2/2)

At the close of the war, Colonel Woolford returned to his mountain horess

Years later, with life well rounded out, he met the only foe to whom he ever surrendered, and lamented by all, passed to the beyond

Some faint idea of Colonel Woolford's style of eloquence at the barHe was retained to defend a half-grown, illiterate youth under indictment for murder

The crie of venue the trial took place at Danville, in the neighboring county of Boyle Danville, it must be remembered, was the Athens of Kentucky

It was the seat of Centre College, of a Presbyterian theological Seminary, and of more than one of the public institutions of the State It was the hoenerations had been renowned for the high character, attainments, and culture of its people

In his speech to the jury in behalf of his unfortunate client, the Colonel insisted that the poor boy at the bar of justice, born and reared in the es of churches and schools, was not to be held in the saree responsible as if his lot had been cast in Danville In his argument he said:

”Here you have your schools, your Centre College, your Theological Seminary, your churches Every third man you meet on the streets is a minister of the Gospel, and the others are all teachers in the Sunday school Here you have your great preachers, Young, Green, Hue--in fact, Presbyterianism to your hearts' content in the very air But this poor boy has known nothing of these things O gentleht not poor Ji up his aric tones he exclais that have been done in Danville been done in thee, thou wouldst long since have repented in sackcloth and ashes!”

The incident which I shall now relate was told me by my kinsman, General S S Fry of Danville He and Colonel Woolford were friends from boyhood, and comrades in the Mexican and Civil wars Their party affiliations, however, were different, General Fry being a Republican, and Colonel Woolford a De the reconstruction period, soon after the close of the Civil war, a barbecue was given to the Colonel, then a candidate for Congress, in one of the mountain counties of his district As a matter of course, the Colonel was to be the orator of the occasion

In order, if possible, to counteract the evil effect of his speech, the Republican State Coage Colonel Woolford in public debate In compliance with this request, General Fry, after a horseback ride of many hours, put in an appearance at the appointed tieneral; the people of the entire county, of both sexes and of all ages and conditions, were there The barbecue ell under hen General Fry arrived A table of rough boards and of sufficient length had been constructed, and was literally covered with savory shote and mutton just from the pit where barbecued These viands were abundantly supple bread, beaten biscuit, ”corn dodgers,” and cucuhly respectable pie family, and possibly an occasional pound cake, and the typical barbecue is before you

General Fry, upon his arrival, arreeted by Colonel Woolford, whose hearty invitation _to partake_ was not lith happily concluded, and the crowd assembled around the speaker's stand, Colonel Woolford said to his old-tio ahead and speak just as long as you want to The boys have all heardnew to tell theh, of course, if there is a little time left, I may say 'howdy' to the boys, and talk a little while, but you just go ahead”

After foro ahead,” and discuss the financial question, the tariff, reconstruction, and dwelt earnestly and at length upon the nanimity of the Republican party toward the ainst the Government Since the surrender at Appomattox, no life had been taken, no one punished, no man ever put on his trial It ithout a parallel in history, and as a ratitude, the Republican party was entitled to the support of the entire Southern people for such th concluded, Colonel Woolford arose and without even the for finance or tariff with the briefestand loud upon the nanimity of the Republican party He has told you that when the as over and the last rebel had laid down his ariven, and the peace of heaven came down like a dove upon the whole Southern people Yes--a hell of a nanimity that General Fry talks so randest nanimous Republican party took him prisoner, tried him by a dru after he had surrendered up his sword”

At which Colonel Fry interposed:

”Why, Colonel Woolford, you ought not to make such a statement as that Stonewall Jackson was accidentally shot by one of his own men in battle, and his memory is honored by all the people North and South”

To this the Colonel replied:

”Don't try to deceive these people We don't put on style and wear store clothes like you big folks down about Danville, but we live in our plain ear our ho on earth that these people do love, it is the _truth_ What did this sananimous Republican party that General Fry had told you so much about do with General Robert E

Lee? I knew General Lee, I served with hiht on different sides in the last war, I always respected him as a brave soldier Well, after he had surrendered at Appomattox, and his nanimous party that General Fry talked so much about do with General Lee? Why, they tried hiht on the spot!”_

Again interrupting, General Fry indignantly exclaie, Colonel Woolford, to attempt to deceive these people by such statements General Lee was never even ie in Virginia, and highly esteemed by everybody”

The Colonel answered:

”Now, General Fry, you have been treated like a gentleave you the best we had to eat, gave you the last drop out of the bottle, and listened quietly to you just as long as you wanted to speak We don't wear Sunday clothes, General Fry, like you do down in Danville, but just live in our plain way in our log cabins, and eat our hoe-cake, and say our prayers, but if there is anything on God's earth that we do love, it is the _truth_ It is wrong for you, General Fry, to try and fool these people Yes, this sa you about, what did they do with poor old Jeff Davis after he was captured? Now, I never was fond of old Jeff ainst him in the last war But I was on the sae of the Mississippi rifles, and drive back the Mexican lancers after McKee and Clay and Hardin had been killed at Buena Vista, and I knoas no coward Well, after he was in prison and as helpless as a child, what did they do with hi him a drumhead trial, tied hi to his feet, exclai:

”Great God! Jeff Davis is still alive, at his home in Mississippi, and has never even been tried; it is damnable to make such statements to these people, Colonel Woolford!”

The Colonel thereupon, with a deeply injured air, said: