tKije Hibrarp 
 
 oftije 
 
 berSitpofiSortljCaroIina 
 
 lection of i^ortfj Caroliniana 
 
 C8 
 
UlNivcnoi 1 1 v-"! ■'■v^ 
 
 00017486917 
 
 This BOOK may be kept out TV/0 
 ONLY, and is subject to a fine o 
 CENTS a day thereafter. It was U 
 on the day indicated below: 
 
 THIS TiIlE has been MlCkOFl 
 
XTbomasMalton IPatton 
 
 ffiorn flDav^ 8tb, 1841 
 E)icb IWovcmbcr 6tb, 1907 
 
 R Bioovapbical Sf^etcb 
 
 '* Mrite me as one wbo loves bis tellow men. '' 
 ** ^be worlD was bis country, to C>o o>oo^ bis religion. '' 
 
^^^fis^^^ 
 
^ 
 
 E)Ut\> ! 
 
 Subltmest tbeme ot bar^ or seer ! 
 XTwin mate ot love, arcb enemv) ot tear ! 
 
 XTbine was bis worsbtp, 
 
 Uhinc bis siiujle tboucjbt, 
 
 Hub countless DeeDs bis f^tuMp bauDs bave 
 wrouobt ! 
 
Ubomas Malton patton 
 
 O iiiiderstaud a man's character and 
 the purpose of his life, it is neces- 
 sary to go back many years before 
 his birth and gain some knoAyledge 
 of the ancestry and conditions 
 which contributed towards making 
 him what he was. 
 
 The Pattons were originally 
 Scotch people of good stock, but 
 the immediate branch of the family 
 under consideration moyed to the north of Ireland 
 The founder of the family in America was James 
 Tatton, born February 13th, 1T5G, in the Parish of 
 Tamlichte, county of Derry. His father died in 
 1742, leaying him the third son of a family of eight 
 sons and two daughters. James, at the age of 
 twenty-seyen years, as he quaintly expresses it, 
 ''obtained his mother's consent to come to America 
 for the purpose of procuring the necessary means of 
 bringing herself and family to this land of liberty 
 where they would no longer feel the oppression of 
 high rents and haughty landlords.-' 
 
 This was in 1783, the passage from Lairn to Phila 
 delphia taking two months. After many vicissitudes 
 James succeeded in his purpose and sent for his 
 mother, brothers and sisters. Some of these settled 
 in Philadelphia, others in Tennessee, and some in 
 
South Carolina ; all becoming prominent citizens of 
 their respective localities. The mother and younger 
 brothers with one sister followed James into North 
 Carolina and eventually to Asheville; Jane, the 
 young sister, married Col. Andrew Erwin, and later 
 moved to Tennessee. To quote from the autobiog- 
 raphy of James Patton, "Col. Erwin and myself were 
 in partnership for twenty years and made a complete 
 dissolution in one day, to the astonishment of every 
 Ijerson of understanding. As he Avas the active part- 
 ner, I told him to make a division of the whole, ac- 
 companied with a statement on paper, and give me 
 my choice, which he did ; and in this way we came to 
 an amicable settlement at once." 
 
 Jane Patton Erwin's daughter, Jane, married 
 tirst, Thomas Yeatman of Nashville and was the 
 mother of James Erwin Yeatman of St. Louis, the 
 hero of AVinston Churchill's book, ''The Crisis.'' Af- 
 ter Mr. Y^eatman's death she married Hon. John Bell, 
 then Speaker of the House of Representatives in Con- 
 gress, afterwards Secretar}^ of War, and later the 
 candidate for the Presidency when Lincoln was 
 elected in 18G0. Had the advocates of "Bell and Ev- 
 erett" been successful in electing them the war would 
 probabl}^ have been averted and some amicable ad- 
 justment of the difiticutlies between the sections 
 reached. 
 
 The other sister married a ^Ir. Campbell, of 
 Pennsylvania. 
 
 James Patton married a daughter of Erancis 
 Reynolds, one of the first settlers on the Yadkin river 
 
in Wilkes county, N. C, by whom he had eleven chil- 
 dren. James W. Patton, the eldest son, was born 
 February 13, 1803, and inherited all his father's ster- 
 ling characteristics. This father left a large estate, 
 undivided, and only a note to his eldest son asking 
 him to divide it among his brothers and sisters as he 
 deemed best. It is a remarkable record that this was 
 done to the entire content and satisfaction of every 
 one. James W. Pattou acquired a very large fortune 
 and married first, Clara, a daughter of Mr. Thomas 
 Walton, of Burke county. The children of this mar- 
 riage Avere James Alfred (first honor man of class of 
 '51 at Chapel Hill), and William Augustus, both of 
 whom fell victims to the diseases of camp life while 
 in the Confederate service, and died in 18G2. Mr. 
 Patton's second wife was Henrietta Kerr, of Charles- 
 ton, S. C, by whom he had two children, Thomas 
 Walton and Fanny Louisa. "Xo man ever lived and 
 died more respected and beloved than James W. Pat- 
 ton. His sound business judgment, strict integrity 
 and kindly disposition made hosts of friends, while 
 his social position and wealth made him a power for 
 good in his section of country." He died in Decem- 
 ber, 1861. 
 
 We thus see that Thomas W. Patton inherited 
 from his father's side many of those traits which 
 made him what he was. We will now glance at his 
 ancestry on the mother's side. 
 
 Her father was Andrew Kerr, born in Kelso, Scot 
 land, September 6th, 1759, of the famous Kerr clan 
 of which Walter Scott writes so much. He was be- 
 
lieved to be the most direct descendant of the Dukes 
 of Roxborough. The direct line in this family in 
 Scotland becoming extinct, the Crown appointed a 
 successor from a collateral branch. Andrew Kerr, 
 having emigrated to America, and being happily and 
 successfully^ established, made no effort to enforce his 
 rights — a difficult thing to do in those troublous 
 times. He married Margaret Hill, daughter of Ca^)- 
 tain Duncan Hill (who died in Charleston in 1799), 
 and of Elizabeth Lyons Hill, his wife (who died in 
 1802). Margaret Hill, like her mother, was a famous 
 beaut}' and it Avas said of Andrew Kerr that he pos- 
 sessed the most beautiful wife, the handsomest resi- 
 dence, and the finest ship in Charleston. In one 
 year he lost the ship by capture, in the War of 1812, 
 the house by fire, and his wife by accident. She was 
 accompanying her eldest daughter to her first ball 
 Avhen her carriage was upset by a pair of frightened 
 horses running into it from behind. Both ladies 
 were so seriously injured that they died soon after- 
 wards. 
 
 Andrew and Margaret Kerr left five daughters 
 and two sons ; Henrietta, the fourth daughter, was 
 born November 6th, 1806. She was a woman of un- 
 usual strength and beauty of character. With 
 sound common sense she united great sympathy and 
 generosity of nature, and a strong strain of the ro- 
 mance and mvsticism of Bonnie Scotland. William 
 
 Note. — For f/oiealof/ij of A}ncric(ui hranch of Kerr fuDiilj/ 
 refer to Pilgrim & PhUlps, successors to Atkinson and Pil- 
 grim, laicyers, No. 17 Coleman St., London, England. 
 
 8 
 
Wallace and Robert Bruce were her heroes and the 
 writings of Sir Walter Scott her constant compan- 
 ions, a volnnie being always found in her work bas- 
 ket. It was from his mother that Thomas inherited, 
 and at her knee he acquired his intense passion of 
 patriotism and devotion to the highest ideals. In 
 spite of Mrs. Patton's love of poetry and romance, 
 her clear business sense was such that her eldest 
 step-son woukl often say with pride, "Mother is the 
 best business man I know;" while her husband al- 
 ways consulted her about his atfairs, and acknowl- 
 edged that he had never gone contrary to her advice 
 without afterwards regretting it. 
 
 Of such parentage was Thomas Walton Patton, 
 born in Asheville, X. C, May 8th, 1841, and named 
 for a half-brother, a very lovely and attractive child 
 who had died a few months before. His name en- 
 deared Thomas to the grandparents of his namesake, 
 Mr. and Mrs. Walton, of Morganton, with whom he 
 spent part of every summer during his boyhood, and 
 whom he always called ''Grandpa" and "Grandma." 
 Mr. James Patton made a companion of his young 
 son Thomas and while he was still a boy, would 
 take him with him on his trips to South Carolina, 
 Alabama and Florida, in which states he had large 
 business interests. The lad was made to attend to 
 the purchase of tickets, checking of baggage and 
 other details affecting the comfort of travel, and his 
 father also confided to him the particular matter of 
 business upon which he Avas engaged. The practical 
 knowledge of aft'airs thus gained was of infinite value 
 in after life. 
 
 9 
 
Thomas was educated by Col. Stephen Lee at his 
 famous school for boys in Chimn's Cove, and, per- 
 haps, some of the controlling influences of his life 
 came from this thorough educator and man of chiv- 
 alrous honor. Many of his schoolmates remained 
 his warm friends in after life. 
 
 Another strong formative influence came from 
 the interest and companionship of that great and 
 good man of God, Bishop Atkinson. It was a cus- 
 tom of the Bishop and Mrs. xltkinson to spend a por- 
 tion of every summer as the guests of their friends, 
 Mr. and Mrs. James \y. I'atton, in their beautiful 
 home, the jiresent Y. ^y. C. A. building, "The Hen- 
 rietta/' on South Main street. The Bishop, after 
 paying his friends a visit, would leave Mrs. Atkinson 
 with them while he made his laborious journeys 
 through the mountains. He Avould often take 
 Thomas with him and this close companionship with 
 such a magnetic nature could but arouse the highest 
 and noblest in the boy's nature. 
 
 Thomas was graduated from Col. Lee's school in 
 1860 and he then went to Charleston to acquire a 
 business training in the office of his uncle, Thomas 
 Kerr, a successful cotton factor. He lived in 
 the family of his uncle, a man of considerable wealth 
 and influence, and he there made many acipiaint- 
 ances whose friendship enriched his after life. 
 
 In Mr. Kerr's office at the same time were his 
 young son Charles and another young man. Hall T. 
 McGee, all of the same age, ;ind the three lads vied 
 with each other in their loyal devotion lo Mr. Kerr, 
 
 10 
 
from whom tliev received great kindness and valu- 
 able training'. A peculiarly warm friendship grew 
 up between the young men and though the trio was 
 broken by the early death of Charles Kerr, who was 
 killed in' battle in ISU, Thomas and McGee contin- 
 ued devoted friends through life. 
 
 Before Thomas could carry out his father's wish 
 of a college course at Chapel Hill, the war clouds 
 burst over the doomed land. At the age of nineteen, 
 he enlisted in the Buncombe Ritles, in April, 1801, 
 and marched away to Kaleigh, where his company, 
 of which his brother James was a lieutenant, was 
 incorporated into the 1st X. C. regiment and being 
 hurried on to Virginia, fought at Bethel, the tirst 
 battle of the great Civil War. 
 
 This Avas the first great question in the court of 
 morals or ethics that Thomas W. Batton was called 
 upon to decide for himself, and, although his decision 
 was doubtless largely influenced by the temper of 
 the community in which he resided, he never aftP]- 
 wards, in years of maturity, doubted for one instant 
 that his decision had been the right and only one he 
 could have made under the circumstances. (And 
 now, after the lapse of a half century, few will be 
 found in this broad land who will say his decision 
 was wrong). 
 
 The First regiment had enlisted for six months 
 only, it being believed it would take only that tin^e 
 ''to whip out the Yankees," and upon the expiration 
 of that time, the men returned home and immediately 
 re-enlisted "for the war." Thomas, promptly, and 
 
 11 
 
largely at his own expense, raised and equipped a 
 company of which he, though still so young, was 
 elected first lieutenant. In a few months he was 
 promoted to captain and in command of "'Company 
 C. of the famous old OOth N. C. troops," he continued 
 until the surrender of the Army of Tennessee by Gen. 
 Joseph E. Johnson at Greensboro, X. C, April, 1805. 
 
 For four long years, following the flag of the Con- 
 federacy through heat and cold, ragged, often bare- 
 footed and almost starving, through many pitched 
 battles and countless skirmishes, this 3'oung soldier 
 never faltered in devotion to his duty. 
 
 The OOth N. C. regiment was part of the Army of 
 Tennessee, and Captain Patton participated in most 
 of the battles in which that army was engaged, the 
 bloodiest and most decisive of these being the Battle 
 of Chickamauga, September 20th, 18G4. He was in 
 the immortal charge which broke the Federal lines 
 in that desperate struggle. iVt the head of sixty 
 vigorous men composing Company C, he was the 
 only one of that gallant band able to answer roll 
 call when that frightful contest was over. 
 
 It was during this campaign and while the army 
 lay in front of Atlanta, that he had one of those nar- 
 row escapes which seemed to be his fortune. Though 
 several times struck by spent balls, he was never 
 wounded in battle. On this occasion he was lying on 
 the hill side enduring that hardest of a soldier's du- 
 ties, lying idle under fire, Avlien a ball struck a com- 
 rade close by his side, shattered his hip, bounced over 
 Capt. Patton, and went through the heel of the man 
 
 12 
 
close on his other side. It is said that during the 
 last year of the war he was under fire every day ; and 
 when it is remembered that, after having been hur- 
 ried from in front of Atlanta to fight the battle of 
 Franklin, Tenn., Johnson's army, then under Hood, 
 was hurried back to the Carolinas to hurl their 
 broken ranks against the victorious Sherman, it is 
 probable that the statement is almost literally true. 
 Certain it is that from Bethel to Benton ville he won 
 as he ever afterwards worthily wore, the proud title 
 of "Captain,"' than which none can be higher to the 
 one who deserved to bear it as did Thomas W. Pat- 
 ton. His kindness to his men and care of them often 
 at great self-sacrifice won their faithful devotion, 
 which continued until the survivors followed him to 
 his grave a half century afterwards. 
 
 In 1862, having obtained a short furlough, Capt. 
 Patton was married at Greensboro, Alabama, to An- 
 nabella Beaty Pearson, a niece of Chief Justice Pear- 
 son, who was considered the greatest judicial mind 
 that ever adorned the bench of the Old North State. 
 Of this union two children were born, both dying in 
 infancy. 
 
 The war rolled on, carrying ruin and sufi'ering in 
 its wake. After participating in the Battle of Ben- 
 tonville, thus being in the first and last fights of the 
 war, Capt. Patton determined not to surrender with 
 the Army of Tennessee, but to make his way home 
 from Greensboro. He started, accompanied by his 
 faithful negro man Sam, who had followed his foot- 
 steps through all those bitter years. They had an 
 
 13 
 
old, brokeu-down arm}- horse, and, by "riding and 
 tieing," they made their way into the nionntains ; 
 but somewhere near Rntherfordton they were cap- 
 tured by a detachment of Federal troops under Col. 
 Palmer, by whom Capt. Patton was paroled and al- 
 lowed to pursue his way, but without the assistance 
 of the old horse, which was "^confiscated." After 
 various adventures he reached, one night, the home 
 of his old friend, Mr. Alexander Kobertson, near the 
 present village of Arden. There he was cordially 
 received and his anxiety relieved by news of his fani- 
 ilv's safetv. At davlight the next morning, after a 
 breakfast of corn bread and milk, all that this once 
 wealthy gentleman had to offer, he was speeded on 
 his way, ^Ir. Robertson walking some distance with 
 him to guide him through the woods to escajjc the 
 lawless bands of pillagers from the Federal army, 
 which were infesting the roads. When Mr. Kobert- 
 son returned it was to see lying on the road side the 
 dead body of his son-in-law, Capt. Allen, a gallant 
 soldier, but now surrendered and paroled. He had 
 been shot down without provocation, by the very 
 men from whom Capt. Patton had escaped by Mr. 
 Robertson's thoughtful care. 
 
 Thus he made his way back to his once hapi)y 
 home to find poverty where once had been wealth, 
 devastation where once had been prosperity ; his 
 father's house occupied by the Federal troops, and 
 his widowed mother, his young wife and sister and 
 his aunt taking refuge with friends scarcely less des- 
 titute than themselves, and fed by faithful negroes 
 
 14 
 
with provisions concealed bj them from the ravages 
 of ''the Yankees." 
 
 In 1S(3G Capt. Patton determined to seek his for- 
 tune on a cotton plantation in Alabama, given to his 
 wife by her aunt's husband, Col. Croom of Greens- 
 boro, and adjoining one owned by his father's estate. 
 Cotton was selling very high at that time, and he 
 hoped to make a living for those dependent up(m 
 him. I>ut this move proved disastrous. He found it 
 impossible to control strange negroes in those dread- 
 ful reconstruction times, the crop was a failure, his 
 wife died, followed soon by the last little child, and 
 he became such a victom to malaria that his health, 
 which had withstood all the hardships of camp life, 
 was completely wrecked. It is characteristic of the 
 man that although he received a handsome otfer for 
 the plantation which he had inherited from his wife 
 through his child, he gave the place back to the 
 Croom family (Col. Croom was then dead), and re- 
 turned to Asheville without a dollar. Here he went 
 to work vigorously, in spite of wretched health, to 
 build up a mercantile business in partnership with 
 his father's old friend, Mr. Albert Sumniey. But 
 the settlement of his father's estate demanded most 
 of his time and attention. Owing to the death of 
 his two older brothers, this large and complicated 
 business was in the hands of Mr. Nicholas Woodfln, 
 his father's life-time friend. Mr. Woodfin was a 
 brilliant criminal lawyer and a man of the highest 
 personal integrity, but he was not able to cope with 
 the difficulties of the situation alone and required the 
 
 15 
 
aid of a younger man. "By the self-sacrficing labors 
 of Thomas Patton every debt was paid and no one 
 suffered by reason of his, or her, confidence in the 
 integrity of James W. Patton, a name that will be 
 honored in Buncombe county long after his children 
 and children's children have gone to their reward. 
 But this gratifying result could only be brought 
 about by the voluntary surrender by his children of 
 all interest in his estate. To them the good name of 
 their father was more precious than riches, 'yea, 
 than much fine gold.' " 
 
 In April, 1871, Capt. Patton married Martha Bell 
 Turner, a daughter of James Calder Turner, a dis- 
 tinguished civil engineer from whose plans and un- 
 der whose directions the railroad between Asheville 
 and Salisbury was constructed. Of this most happy 
 union two children were born, Josie Buel, married 
 to Haywood Parker, and Francis McLeod, a forester 
 in the United States government service. 
 
 In 1867 Thomas Patton advised his mother to ex- 
 change her dower interest in the estate of his father 
 for a fee simple title to a piece of unimproved land 
 known as Camp Patton (it having been used by both 
 the Confederate and Federal troops). On this land 
 he built the house at what is now the corner of 
 Chestnut and Charlotte streets. In this house his 
 children and grand-children have been born and he 
 continued to occupy it for thirty-eight years, until 
 his death. It appealed to the romantic side of his 
 nature that his grand-children should occupy a piece 
 
 16 
 
of ground which had never passed out of the family 
 since his grandfather purchased it in 1806, 
 
 Baptized in infancy bv the Rev. Mr. Barnwell, of 
 South Carolina, he remained all his life "a faithful 
 soldier and servant'' of his Lord Jesus Christ. 
 Thomas Patton's high standard of personal integ- 
 rity and unselfish devotion to the best interests of 
 those with whom he came in contact as friend or as 
 fellow-citizen, was due not only to inherited quali- 
 ties, but to deep religious principle. 
 
 James W. Patton, his father, while most generous 
 and indulgent to his children, demanded unques- 
 tioned obedience in certain things. One of these was 
 prompt and regular attendance upon public worship, 
 and it was one of the things for which his children 
 afterwards rose up and called him blessed. This 
 habit was one his son never lost and wherever he 
 was, and under whatever circumstances he found him- 
 self when Sunday came, he always betook himself to 
 some house of God. Confirmed by Bishop Cobb in 
 Alabama during the war, upon his return to Ashe- 
 ville, he threw himself with zeal into the life of 
 Trinity Parish — the parish his parents and aunt had 
 founded. In 1867 we find him in attendance upon 
 the Diocesan Convention in Wilmington and during 
 the rest of his life there were few of these annual 
 meetings he failed to attend. Licensed as lay reader 
 by Bishop Atkinson in 1867, he did faithful and most 
 acceptable service in Trinity and the missions sur- 
 rounding, especially those at Haw Creek and Beaver 
 Dam. As superintendent of the Sunday school, ves- 
 
 17 
 
tryman and warden, he was ever a true pillar of the 
 church. Inwriting of him a friend says: "He is neither 
 high church nor low church, but tolerant of both 
 factions. It makes no difference to him what colors 
 are used on the altar or whether there are flowers or 
 crosses, or whether there are genuflections at certain 
 places in the liturgy or not. Whatever forms or cer- 
 emonies best enable a man or woman to express his 
 or her worship of the Heavenly Father is, in his 
 opinion, the best for that worshipper. If the Rector 
 faces east during the recital of the creed or remains 
 with his side face to the congregation it matters not 
 to Capt. Patton. If a communicant kneels and de- 
 voutly crosses himself before the service or bends the 
 knee at the mention of the name of our Saviour, 
 Capt. Patton respects the motive which prompts the 
 outward expression of faith and devotion, and calmly 
 continues his worship in his own way." A personal 
 love and loyalty to his Saviour, Jesus Christ, was 
 the guiding principle of his life and as far as in him 
 lay he followed the footsteps of the Master. 
 
 Every charitable undertaking found in him a 
 ready helper. When it was found best that the 
 Asheville Mission Hospital should have a local habi- 
 tation of its own, he, with his friend Lawrence Pul- 
 liam, bought the property now owned by that insti- 
 tution at the corner of Charlotte and Woodfin 
 streets, making himself personally responsible for 
 the purchase money which he borrowed from per- 
 sonal friends. He continued a valued advisor of the 
 hospital board ever afterwards. From its inception 
 
 18 
 
he was a member of the committee in charge of the 
 Buncombe County Children's Home, and gave valu- 
 able services in finding homes for, and afterwards 
 keeping in touch with these helpless little wards of 
 the county; and this was done no less faithfully and 
 wisely for the colored children than for the white. 
 
 He was the first to suggest the establishment here 
 of a home where erring and fallen girls could go and 
 by gentle and loving care be brought back to the 
 paths of virtuous womanhood, and he ever afterwards 
 aided the enterprise by his means and helpful advice. 
 He assisted in the establishment of the Y. M. C. A., 
 to which he was a liberal subscriber, and of which 
 he was a director. He made it possible to begin the 
 work of the Y. W. C. A. in opening a boarding house 
 for self-suporting women. Through his generosity 
 the Library Association became possessed of its valu- 
 able property on Church street. It is not too much 
 to say that every philanthropic enterprise in Ashe- 
 ville largely owes its being to his broad sympathy 
 and wise care. While devoted to his own church, his 
 heart was big enough to take in all good work don.e 
 by Christians of every name. He was a valued ad- 
 visor in the noble educational work done by the Pres- 
 byterians. His office was the Mecca towards which 
 turned the steps of all those Avho were doing the 
 Master's service and also all those who were weary 
 and heavy laden — the sinful and the sorrowing. He 
 was not content to pray for those in prison, but gave 
 much time to visiting the jails and his wisdom and 
 kindness were manifest in the fact that he was the 
 
 19 
 
friend and advisor of the jailors no less than the 
 prisoners. The condition of the Federal prisoners 
 engaged his helpful aid in large measure. Men, ar- 
 rested on vague suspicion of violating the revenue 
 laws — laws they neither knew nor could understand, 
 brought away from their families whose sole support 
 they were, and herded in over-crowded jails to wait 
 long months for trial, touched him deeply. He not 
 only exerted his influence with the Federal judges to 
 prevent the unsanitary crowding, but by painstaking 
 investigation he obtained the release upon bond of 
 many of these poor men. Nothing gave him more 
 pleasure than to tell of the numbers of men upon 
 whose bond he had gone who came back for trial, 
 walking many weary miles over the mountains to 
 give themselves up that 'the Captain" should sufl'er 
 no loss through them. For many years a portion of 
 every Sunday was spent at the jails and convict 
 camp, distributing newspapers and magazines and 
 taking notes for letters which he would afterwards 
 write to friends of these unfortunates. 
 
 When elected county commissioner in 1878, he 
 made it his first duty to visit the county paupers, 
 whom he found '^farmed out" to the lowest bidder 
 and living in huts far from a public road or any pos- 
 sibility of public inspection. This was at once 
 changed, and with the aid of his friend Mr. Pease, 
 he had the paupers moved into new and sanitary 
 quarters near town where they were visited by him- 
 self and other kind friends. Nothing could be 
 more touching than to see the eager joy which would 
 
 20 
 
light up the faces of these waifs and strays of hu- 
 manity when ''The Captain'' was seen coming Avith 
 pockets bulging with gifts of tobacco, knitting yarn 
 and sewing materials— each one remembered, and a 
 gift for each to brighten the weary days. 
 
 While never a prohibitionist, he was the friend 
 and advisor of the good women of the W. C. T. U. 
 He endeavored to be strictly temperate in all things 
 and while not hesitating to offer a glass of wine or 
 spirits to a friend whose habits he knew prevented 
 its being a temptation, he strictly forbade its ap- 
 pearance in his house on general gatherings. Sev- 
 eral habitual drunkards owe their reformation to his 
 patient, perservering love and help. 
 
 That there has been no manifestation of race 
 prejudice in this section is largely due to Capt. Pat- 
 ton's influence. A slave-owner himself and the son 
 of slave-owners, he understood the negro character 
 perfectly, and his attitude towards them was that of 
 the kindly consideration of the olden time. He ap- 
 preciated their good qualities Avhile recognizing their 
 limitations and the negroes knew him to be their 
 friend and trusted him. They served him with fidel- 
 ity and mourned him with deep sincerity. He not 
 only treated them with justice himself, but saw to it 
 that others did so as well. His sense of the obliga- 
 tion of the "privileged classes" to those less privi- 
 leged was so great that any oppression or tyranny of 
 the strong over the weak aroused his hot indignation. 
 It Avas said of him that ''he chose to live beside the 
 road that he might help his fellow man." 
 
 21 
 
Mr. Patton was frequently honored by the suf- 
 frages of his fellow citizens, having been elected al- 
 derman, tax collector, county commissioner, mayor; 
 and he was appointed a member of the tax commis- 
 sion, of the State Board of Charities and Corrections, 
 and of the Board of Examiners of Institutions. He 
 was secretary-treasurer of the first water, gas, elec- 
 tric light and street railway companies in Asheville. 
 At one time he edited and controlled ''The Citizen ;'' 
 was superintendent of the Street Railway Co., and 
 was director in several banks. He was guardian of 
 many minors and administrator of several estates. 
 On two occasions estates were willed to him without 
 any restrictions and in both cases they were admin- 
 istered so entirely for the best interests of the legal 
 heirs as to secure not only their entire content, but 
 their lasting gratitude. * ''His business judgment 
 seemed unerring, and he is reckoned as the ablest 
 financier who has ever made his home in our city." 
 
 Capt. Patton was never a imrtizan in politics. 
 When the war was over he cast in his fortunes with 
 the Democratic party in general poltics, but when 
 the men or measures advocated by that party seemed 
 to him not the best, he never hesitated to vote as his 
 conscience dictated. In the best sense of the word 
 he was an independent citizen. When, in 189o, he 
 considered that the city administration was extrava- 
 gant, if not actually corrupt, he did not hesitate one 
 
 '^TJiis icas said of him hy the prominent business men of 
 the city tcho were familiar tcith liis icork at this period. 
 
 22 
 
instant, but declared himself an independent candi- 
 date for mayor. He Avas overwhelmingly elected, 
 and gave the city an administration that for econ- 
 omy, honest}', progressiveness and efficiency has 
 never been equalled. He reduced expenses b}' one- 
 half without in the least diminishing the efficiency' of 
 the public service. The streets were cleaner, the po- 
 lice more active, the accounts more accurately kept 
 and the property of the city more carefully guarded 
 and protected than ever before. He had a new city 
 charter prepared w^hich w^as granted by the Legisla- 
 ture and is a model of its kind. He had an inventory 
 made of all city property, and held the head of each 
 department responsible for its safe-keeping. He had 
 all the floating debts carefully investigated and ac- 
 curately determined. He closed up as far as possible 
 all pending litigation, and so systematized and ar- 
 ranged all the finances of the city affairs that any 
 citizen could determine, at a glance, not only the 
 cit3''s expenses, but its liabilities and its income from 
 all sources. So well satisfied were the citizens gen- 
 erallj' with his first administration that thej- gave 
 him a second term almost unanimously. Captain 
 Patton's comj)ensation for the services that were 
 worth hundreds of thousands of dollars to Asheville, 
 was a little less than eighty-one cents per diem ! 
 
 In keeping with his belief that the wa^' to secure 
 temperance and morality is not only by education 
 and public sentiment, but by personal influence, 
 when nearly three score years of age and just thirty- 
 seven years after he enlisted in the 1st N. C. Volun- 
 
 23 
 
teers for the Civil War, he enlisted in the 1st N. O. 
 Volunteers for the War with Spain. This was in 
 A])ril, 1898, the first enlistment having been in 
 April, 1801, and by a curious coincidence he left 
 Asheville on both occasions on the same day of the 
 same month. Then he Avore the gray- and marched 
 under the stars and bars of the Southern Confeder- 
 acy, now he wore the blue and marched under the 
 stars and stripes of the United States ; but on both 
 occasions he went as a private in the ranks. 
 
 In Raleigh he was commissioned by Governor 
 Russell, adjutant of a battalion in the 1st N. C. regi- 
 ment. In this office he served a year, a considerable 
 portion of which time was spent Avith his regiment 
 near Havana. Just as the 1st N. C. regiment fought 
 the first battle of the Civil War, so it Avas the first to 
 occupy Havana in the Spanish- American War. But 
 there the parallel ends. In the Civil War he volun- 
 teered in defense of his native State to which he had 
 been taught his first allegiance Avas due. While in the 
 Spanish Avar he Aolunteered to be Avith the young- 
 men Avho AA^ere about to subject themselves to the pri- 
 vations and temptations of a life in camp, and, as he 
 feared, on the field of battle. He did not delude him- 
 self with the belief that his countrA^ needed his ser- 
 vices as a mere soldier, AA'ith SAVord or rifie, but he 
 did believe that his experience in camp and battle 
 could be made beneficial to the young men of his na- 
 tive city. This is the Avhole story. He AA^ent Avith this 
 object in vieAv and he never lost sight of it for a 
 single instant. 
 
 24 
 
That lie was a prime favorite with the officers of 
 the entire regiment and will always hold a warm 
 place in the hearts of the members of Company F. 
 (of Ashevillej, with whom he was especially popu- 
 lar, is strong- proof that he had ample opportunity to 
 make his influence and example felt; and, whether 
 he failed or not, he had the satisfaction of knowing 
 that he strove for the realization of a high ideal. 
 
 There are still living private soldiers of old 
 Company C. of the Civil War period who will tell 
 you that although Capt. Patton was not required to 
 bear a musket on the long and dreary marches, he 
 was never seen without one at least, on his shoulder, 
 and often two or three. They were not his muskets, 
 but those of half sick and wholly weary comrades 
 who were too weak to stagger along under the weight 
 of blanket, haversack and canteen. And there are 
 young privates of Company F. of the Spanish-Amer- 
 ican war period who will tell you similar tales with 
 regard to themselves. And there are others who will 
 tell you that when they learned the reason that im- 
 pelled this war-worn veteran to enlist as a private 
 soldier Avhen nearly three score years of age, they 
 determined that they would show by their conduct 
 that they were not unmindful of his unselfish sacri- 
 fice in their behalf and they shaped their lives in ac- 
 cordance with what they believed he would approve. 
 They have no doubt that his last enlistment in the 
 cause of humanity and true manhood was more po- 
 tent for good, though no blood was shed by the 1st 
 
 25 
 
N. C, than his first enlistment, when blood flowed 
 like water from Bethel to Bentonville. 
 
 Not limiting his interests to the men of his own 
 regiment, his tent was headquarters for the members 
 of The Brotherhood of St. Andrew of the entire 
 army. Himself a devoted Brotherhood man, he ex- 
 tended a loving hand to all. 
 
 Upon the termination of the Spanish-American 
 war he returned to Asheville, where he was received 
 with every demonstration of atfectionate gratitude 
 by the parents of ''his boys" and the citizens gener- 
 ally. At a banquet given the returned soldiers he 
 was presented with a massive and beautiful silver 
 loving cup. 
 
 Among the few luxuries Captain Patton allowed 
 himself Avas that of travel. He was keenly interested 
 in new conditions and new countries. His bright in- 
 telligence led him to understand that human natur'3 
 is ever the same and it is only controlling influences 
 that make the difl'erences in peoples. With an in- 
 tense appreciation of the beauties of nature, fed by 
 his life in the mountains, he greatly enjoyed h's 
 visits to different sections of his own country and of 
 Europe. He crossed the Atlantic twice ; first with a 
 party of friends in 1888 and again, taking his family 
 with him, in 1802. On both occasions his letters were 
 published in the city papers and enjoyed by his manv 
 friends at home. 
 
 He Avas a man who cared little for wealth and 
 nothing at all for the prestige wealth can give. He 
 w^as content to give his family every comfort and 
 
 26 
 
convenience for their simple way of living and his 
 house was always open to visitors of every -^lass. 
 His old war comrades and friends from the coves of 
 the mountains were just as Avelcome and received 
 with even greater consideration than the many dis- 
 tinguished men from the different sections of Jiis 
 own country and of England, w^ho enjoyed his cor 
 dial hospitality. He chose his friends entirely lor 
 Avhat they were, and not for what they possessed. 
 
 In general Capt. Patton enjoyed excellent health, 
 due doubtless no less to his varied interests than to 
 his simple habits and constant exercise in the open 
 air. But in 1901 he met with an accident, while sur- 
 veying land on the side of the mountain, which re 
 suited in a violent attack of blood poison. Only by 
 the devoted and skillful services of his friend and 
 physician. Dr. W. D. Hilliard, were his life and liicb 
 saved ; but the illness sapped his strength and lie was 
 never so well again. The last winters of his life were 
 spent in Florida. In 1901 he purchased a home in 
 Dunedin on the Gulf coast and to this he took his 
 family to avoid the cold of winter in the mountains, 
 and to this home he welcomed his friends with the 
 same open-handed hospitality. Although only among 
 them a few months of a few years, the friends lie 
 made in Florida mourn him as sincerely as those in 
 North Carolina. 
 
 Unexpectedly, at last came the summons, "Well 
 done, good and faithful servant; enter thou into the 
 joy of thy Lord." 
 
 In October, 1907, an acute illness set in, and 
 
 27 
 
when this did not yield to treatment, it was deter- 
 mined to take him to Philadelphia to secure the ser- 
 vices of a celebrated specialist. He was accompan- 
 ied by his devoted wife and physician, and joined in 
 Philadelphia by his son who was then taking a post 
 graduate course at Yale University. Put human 
 skill was of no avail, and this servant of God was 
 called to go up higher, before the infirmities of age 
 had lessened his activities or weakened his powers.- 
 The end, which came November Gth, was such as 
 befitted his life — calm, clear and happily contented, 
 and with the ministrations of his beloved church. 
 Far from his own people, it was given to him to re- 
 ceive for his last journey the strengthening bread 
 and wine at the gentle hand of a Southern gentle- 
 man, the Rev. J. Henning Xelms. 
 
 He was brought back to his mountain home and 
 met at the station in Asheville by the city officials, 
 and the vestry of Trinity Church, as well as his two 
 dearly loved friends, the Rev. McXeely DuBose, and 
 the Rev. Alexander Mitchell, with others, who had 
 come long distances to look once more upon his face. 
 
 Carried to his house he rested there embowered 
 in lovely ftowers and surrounded by friends who 
 came to do him reverence. The next day he was 
 borne to the church he had loved and served so faith- 
 fully and thence to Riverside cemetery, which he had 
 been instrumental in planning and beautifying. As 
 his sympathies had known no distinctions of race, 
 color or class, so the outburst of grief was universal, 
 and one looking into the faces of the throngs which 
 
 28 
 
lined the streets and crow^ded round the chnrch, 
 could see that no idle curiosit}', but deepest love and 
 grief had brought them there. 
 
 Every mark of public respect was shown. The 
 I/nited States District Court, which was in session 
 at the time, was adjourned after eloquent and feeling 
 remarks upon the public services of Mr. Patton by 
 the presiding judge, Hon. James E. Boyd. A special 
 meeting of the Board of Aldermen was held, and 
 every city official requested to attend the funeral, 
 Avhile the city bell was ordered to be tolled. Stores 
 were closed and all business suspended during the 
 funeral. The gray-headed veterans of the Great War 
 as well as the vigorous young manhood of the War 
 with Spain, folloAved his bier. The funeral services 
 were conducted by Bishop Horner and the Reverends 
 McCready, DuBose, Mitchell, Stubbs and Swope. 
 The hymns, which were sung as with one voice by the 
 large congregation, were 636, ''How Firm a Founda- 
 tion, Ye Saints of the Lord," and 398, ''Ten Thousand 
 Times Ten Thousand,'' giving the note of trium})hant 
 joy so appropriate to this saint who had entered into 
 his re Avar d. 
 
 At the cemetery Mr. DuBose read the committal 
 and afterwards was sung the Gloria in Excelsis and 
 hymn 679, "There is a Blessed Home,'' while the 
 flower-covered casket was slowly lowered by loving 
 hands into the flower-lined grave. And so, with the 
 soft sunshine falling over him like God's benedic- 
 tion, and the blue hills standing sentinel around, we 
 left him in the blessed hope of a joyful resurrection. 
 
 29 
 
lEMtorials from tbe CitY> papers ot IRovember 
 
 6tb, 1907, 
 
 THOMAS WALTON PATTOX. 
 
 The city today mourns the loss of one of her best beloved 
 sons. The people sorrow because a friend, every one's friend, 
 has passed into the great, mysterious beyond ; whose form no 
 longer will be seen amongst us, whose affectionate counsel 
 will no longer be heard. 
 
 The mission of Thomas Patton on earth, as he saw it. was 
 to help. His interest, for many years past, at any rate, was 
 mainly in the affairs of those who needed help the worst. 
 How many a story of trouble has been poured into his sym- 
 pathetic ear ; how many, in sorrow, in distress of body or 
 mind, have gone to him as a wise and sympathetic brother, 
 certain to receive aid and comfort! His was a practical 
 pliilanthropy. The most intelligent methods of administer- 
 ing charity and the corrective measures of the state — these 
 problems altsorbed much of his time and energy. Although 
 possessing a heart ever open to human need, he could not be 
 called a sentimentalist. He was a conservative. He was 
 never one to join a hue and cry ; when there was neglect, 
 wrong or injustice it was his way to set about a careful in- 
 vestigation of the underlying causes. His benefactories were 
 not spectacular ; they were quiet, practical, effective. 
 
 Being keenly interested in his fellow man. and all that 
 pertained to his welfare and progress, it followed that he 
 was interested in public affairs. On questions of the day 
 his position was often uni(iue ; it occurred, not .seldom, that 
 he found popular opinion arrayed against him. He did not 
 seek or love such antagonisms. l)ut his own position was 
 never affected thereby. In serenity and dignity he pursued 
 his way toward the ideals that seemed to him best. 
 
 30 
 
The secret, if secret it may be called, of the blessed influ- 
 ence exerted by his life, and the real affection and esteem 
 in which he ^Yas held was that he loved his country, his city, 
 his neighbors with a true, unselfish, ennobling affection. And 
 what man has ever occupied just such a place as he occupied 
 in the hearts of the people of Asheville? 
 
 He has fought a good fight. He kept the faith. He lived 
 a life in accordance with its own highest conceptions. He 
 was a compass that pointed true. His thoughts, his labors 
 were for God and humanity.— Fro »i Gazette-Xeics. 
 
 T. W. PATTON. 
 
 Capt. T. W. Patton is dead, and in his passing the famil- 
 iar figure of half a century is removed from Asheville. His 
 departure calls sharply to mind the fact that our old land- 
 marks are going, and the pioneers who made a glorious city 
 out of the wilderness leave us one by one. And in these 
 messages of death there is brought the sad knowledge that 
 the places of these men can never again be fille<l, for the 
 reason that the city which they builded will never again be 
 called upon to encounter the trials, tribulations and dangers 
 which they so successfully surmounted. The grave questions 
 of the community which Mr. Patton and those of his time, 
 who advanced with him step by step, were those questions 
 upon which the life and future of a city depend, and having 
 accomplished their work triumphantly, there is nothing left 
 for us who follow them to do but to perpetuate their deeds 
 and to keep their memories enshrined in our hearts. 
 
 Capt. T. W. Patton, citizen, soldier and gentleman, is no 
 more, but he leaves behind him the impress of a man at all 
 times fearless, and seeking favors from none; a man whose 
 political views were not of that nature which are allied to 
 passing waves and only winning issues ; he was a man who 
 had ideas and convictions of his own, and once having ar- 
 rayed himself on the side of a cause which he believed to be 
 right, no power or consideration could move him. Asheville 
 indeed is poorer, much poorer, by his death. 
 
 31 
 
And now be is gone. By the young citizen soldiers in 
 whose company he shared the deprivations and difficulties 
 incidental to military life he will be sadly missed, and to 
 that great body of citizenslii]) which forms the vital part of 
 a municipality his loss will be irreparalde. — From Hie 
 Citizen. 
 
 ]£xtract5 from a few of tbe 1Rumerou5 Xetters 
 IRcceiveb b^ tbe jfamili^ 
 
 From Rev. R. F. Campbell, D. D., Pastor of First Preshyte- 
 rian Clinreli of AshevUle: 
 
 I cannot let this occasion pass without some expression 
 of my esteem for your lamented husband and of my sym- 
 pathy with those who long for the "touch of a vanished hand 
 and the sound of a voice that is still I" 
 
 Take him for all in all, Capt. Patton was the first citizen 
 of Asheville — an eminence which he securely held, because, 
 perhaps, above all others he loved the city passionately, as 
 men love mother and home. Asheville was both these to 
 him, born as he was in her lap and happiest under her roof- 
 tree. As his mother she bends over his bier, and we, his 
 brothers, feel that much of the light that led us and much 
 of the strength on which we leaned are gone out with him. 
 
 Will you let me say — for my heart desires to speak the 
 words— that I admired and loved him, especially for two 
 great characteristics he possessed — his lion-hearted courage 
 and his almost womanly tenderness. "That gentleness which 
 when it weds with manhood makes a nnm." I could not al- 
 ways agree with him. but I could never withhold my respect 
 for his absolute independence of thought, and my lu-ofound 
 admiration for his utter fearlessness of speech. The two 
 were linked together as body and soul — untranuneled con- 
 victions clothed upon with words always courteous but never 
 cringing in which was "strength which mates with cour- 
 tesy." 
 
 32 
 
The other quality was his great-heartedness, his tender 
 sympathy, whicli reached out wide and gentle arms to the 
 suffering and the sorrowing, especially those who suffer in 
 shame and sorrow in obscurity — the despised and neglected 
 classes of society. 
 
 These two characteristics, apparently so opposed, are the 
 two halves which, fitted together, make a rounded manhood, 
 a complete citizenship. 
 
 Asheville, November 8, 1907. 
 
 Rt. Rev. J. B. Cheshire, D. D. {after expressions of regret 
 at not being ahle to come to the funeral) : 
 
 I think I have known no man more disinterestedly de- 
 voted to the welfare of others. He is a great loss to the 
 Church, and a great loss to the State. We have few such 
 Churchmen or such citizens, and I am sure you can say, few 
 such fathers or fathers-in-law. 
 
 Rt. Rev. Robert Strange, D. D. : 
 
 Though I saw him so seldom it was a satisfaction to 
 think that we were living in the same State. What a noble 
 man he was ! And how I esteemed his love and friendship ! 
 I wish I could have been with j'ou at that time. Oh, my 
 dear lady, what now must be his joy, with his Lord in that 
 bright land above! Of him with peculiar emphasis can we 
 say, "Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord." 
 
 Rev. George Summey, D. D., Pastor First Presbyterian 
 Church, Neiv Orleans, La. : 
 
 He was one of Nature's noblemen. The world was better 
 for his living in it. His works will follow him. 
 
 Rev. W. B. Y. Wilkie. Pastor Presbyterian Church, Dunedin, 
 Fla. : 
 I had learned to love Capt. Patton very much and greatly 
 admired his steadfast Christian character. How he will be 
 missed ! 
 
 33. 
 
Rev. V. E. Manget, MetJiodist Minister from Marietta, Ga. : 
 The noble citizen, devoted member of the Chnrch, affec- 
 tionate brother, loving father and most tender hnsband, has, 
 as we firmly believe, "entered into rest and his works do fol- 
 low him," 
 
 Dunedin, Fla. 
 
 Rev. T. M. N. George, Rector Episcopal Church, Marietta, 
 Ga. : 
 
 It is indeed a privilege to be brought in contact with such 
 a character as was his, for there are not many such in this 
 world. Strength and gentleness, simplicity and wisdom 
 mercy and truth were mingled in unusual and beautiful pro- 
 portions in his life. It is a great blessing in the loss of our 
 loved ones to be able to thank God for the wonderful grace 
 and virtue declared in their lives. 
 
 Rev. W. T. Capers, Former Rector of Trinity Church : 
 
 My first impulse was to go at once to you and publicly 
 manifest by my attendance at the services, my deep and lov- 
 ing appreciation of a great citizen and a noble churchman. 
 Only unavoidable circumstances prevented me from this in- 
 tense desire. 
 
 I loved and honored Capt. Patton and regarded him as a 
 man of unusual ability, a patriot, a friend of Jesus, and, con- 
 sequently a guardian of the needy and distressed — a man of 
 great courage and a friend of great worth. His State and 
 city are richer for his life. There are those now living 
 whose children's children shall date the beginning of their 
 ancestry to the man or woman who was redeemed through 
 the loving kindness of Thomas Walton Patton, a man of 
 God. 
 
 Rev. J. A. Deal, Episcopal Chnrch at Franklin, ]V. C. : 
 
 Nobly has the undying past earned the rest to which he 
 has gone. We love him well enough to have kept him, Go.l 
 
 34 
 
loves him well enough to call him to peace and the rest that 
 remaineth for the people of God. 
 
 Rev. B. G. White, Episcopal Church at Jacl-sonvlUe, Flu.: 
 
 Looking over my life I count it one of the greatest joys 
 and privileges that I had Capt. Patton as my friend. I have 
 known few men who were as good and true and brave and 
 wise as he was. I thank God that I knew him. 
 
 Rev. E. N. Joyner, Episcopal Church at Try on, N. C. : 
 
 Long has he been to me one of the truest, best of friends 
 and brothers. And how many can tell you the same, can tell 
 you so out of their hearts, for his heart was so big and warm 
 and generous. 
 
 Rev. S. a. Potter, Episcopal Church, Mouktoii, Md. : 
 
 Owing to my acquaintance with him while in Flor'da, I 
 not only respected him very highly indeed, but had aJs(? 
 genuine love for him. One of the noblest of men he cer- 
 tainly was — one of the children of the Most High. 
 
 Rev. C. M. Gray, Episcopal Church at St. Petershurg, Flo. : 
 We all loved the dear man and he will be sorely miss'xl. 
 
 but only for a little while, for we will soon follow him and 
 
 be reunited in the paradise of God. 
 
 Rev. a. B. Hunter, Rector St. Augustine. Raleigh. N. C. : 
 The earth is richer for the life he has lived and the life 
 
 draws us nearer to our heavenly home. 
 
 F7'om a (Ustinguished British army officer who served all 
 through the Crimean War and partly through the In- 
 dian Mutiny : 
 
 Barlow, Derbyshire, England. 
 The news of your dear husband's death contained in the 
 paper I received this morning has filled my heart with grief. 
 
 35 
 
For I can truly say that there was not a man of whom I saw 
 so little, that I admired and respected so much. * * * j ^..^^y^ 
 never forget those three happy days in Holland in 1892, and 
 the same number (all too short) that I spent under his hos- 
 pitable roof in Asheville in 1903. * * * Our mutual experi- 
 ences of the hardships and pleasurable excitements — I might 
 almost call it delight — of active army service, drew us to- 
 gether and his participaucy in the Spanish campaign fired 
 my old soul. 
 
 Mr. James L. Houghteling, Founder of the BrotJierhood of 
 St. Andrew : 
 
 My affection and respect for Captain Patton make;:? me a 
 mourner with you. He truly was one of the saints, and his 
 part in the world went away beyond the sphere of his per- 
 sonal contact with his fellow men. He was an example in a 
 "naughty world," that Christianity in its truest, simi)lest 
 form was not only practicable but the only real and satis- 
 fying thing there was. I doubt not that hundreds of men 
 have kept some hold of the faith because he lived it in tlieir 
 midst. So, amidst our own sorrow and sense of loss, new 
 courage arises to persevere. "Blessed are the dead who die 
 in the Lord." 
 
 Mr. Silas McBee, Editor of The Churchman: 
 
 Though the great loss to you and yours, to the Diocese 
 and to the State has not come to my knowledge without de- 
 lay, I must write now to say how deeply I feel with the 
 family, one and all, in the grievous loss of so noble a life. 
 
 Rev. C. E. Jones, Le Mars, Iowa: 
 
 I do not know if you will remember my name, but you 
 may when I say I had the pleasure of meeting you while we 
 were encamped in Cuba in 1899. * * * i shall always re- 
 member with gratitude my ac(iuaintance with Capt. Patton 
 and his kindness to me which extended through the whole 
 
 36 
 
of my service in the volunteers. I know I was only one of 
 many outside his own regiment to whom his friendship at 
 that time was of great value. 
 
 Dr. J. A. Reagan, Weaverville, N. G. : 
 
 Mr. Patton and I were warm friends for over forty years. 
 He visited me nearly every day while I was in the hospital 
 at Asheville, hringing me fruit. He visited the criminals in 
 jail and took them something to read — visited the widows 
 and orphans in cold weather and sent them fuel. He was 
 always ministering to the needy and yet he never published 
 his doings to the world and but few knew the goodness of 
 his heart and the noble Christian work he did. 
 
 One icho folloiced him to Paradise less than three months 
 aftencards : 
 At that wonderful service today I could not help thinking 
 of my poor father and how much more lonely he will be now 
 his good friend has gone; and during the singing of that 
 glorious hymn, "Ten Thousand Times Ten Thousand," the 
 thought came to me that perhaps even now the two who ha\e 
 been so recently removed from the Florida household may 
 be meeting again in that spiritual world where partings are 
 no more. 
 
 Biltmore, November 8, 1907. 
 
 37 
 
IResolutions 
 
 SPECIAL MEETING OF ALDERMEN. 
 
 Mayor Campell this moruing called a special meeting of 
 the Board of Aldermen for 12 o'clock for the purpose of 
 adopting appropriate resolutions relative to the death of 
 Capt. Patton. 
 
 The aldermen in special meeting adopted the following 
 resolutions : 
 
 Whereas, This Board of Mayor and Aldermen of the city 
 of Asheville have learned with profound regret of the death 
 of Capt. Thomas W. Patton, a former mayor of this city ; 
 and, 
 
 Whereas, Captain Patton's life was closely interwoven 
 with the history of Asheville, and though a partisan, he was 
 in no sense a politician, and he served the municipality for 
 many years because of the inflexible integrity of his charac- 
 ter and the efficiency of his work ; therefore. 
 
 Resolved, That in the death of Captain Patton Asheville 
 has lost a good citizen, a man notably public-spirited and of 
 the strictest integrity, one who as mayor and in many other 
 positions of trust and honor, brought clear insight to faithful 
 labors. 
 
 Resolved, That we deplore the loss of his widely recog- 
 nized leadership and authority and extend our sincere sym- 
 pathies to his family in this hour of their great affliction. 
 
 Resolved, That the city officials attend the funeral ser- 
 vices in a body and that the city bell be tolled during said 
 services. 
 
 Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be sent to the 
 family of the deceased, that the same be published in the 
 city press, and entered upon the minutes of this Board. 
 
 38 
 
THE LATE CAPT. PATTON. 
 
 Resolutions in Acknowledgment of His Work for Orphan and 
 Destitute Children. 
 
 Whereas, Thomas Walton Patton, who died at Philadel- 
 phia, Pa., on the 7th day of November, 1907, was the first 
 citizen of Buncombe county to recognize the needs of the 
 orphan and destitute children of our community, and by his 
 personal and family influence seek to provide a remedy there- 
 for, and 
 
 Whereas, After long and patient and self-sacrificing effort 
 he at length succeeded in creating a public sentiment for the 
 amelioration of the condition of our suffering little ones, 
 which resulted at first in the establishment of a Children's 
 Home, for a long time maintained solely by private charity, 
 and finally by assistance from the county funds ; and 
 
 Whereas, The Children's Home, as now constituted, owes 
 its origin, maintenance and present existence to the unselfish 
 and devoted interest of the said Thomas Walton Patton, 
 therefore be it 
 
 Resolved, That in the death of Capt. Thomas Walton Pat- 
 ton, the orphan and destitute children of the city of Asheville 
 and the county of Buncombe have lost a friend and benefac- 
 tor, the cause of humanity and Christianity a brave and con- 
 sistent champion, and the Children's Home of Buncombe 
 county, as an institution, a wise, far-seeing and benevolent 
 guide, counsellor and friend. 
 
 Resolved, That a copy of the foregoing preamble and res- 
 olutions be furnished the city papers for publication and pre- 
 sented to the surviving members of his family in token of our 
 respect and regard for our personal friends, whose loss to us 
 is irretrievable. 
 
 C. T. Rawls, 
 
 J. P. HOWATT, 
 
 DoKA Doe, 
 L. B. Penniman, 
 Rebecca Kimbeely, 
 39 Committee. 
 
T. W. PATTON. 
 
 Confederate Veterans : It is with unusual sadness that I 
 make known to you the death of our lovetl comrade, ("apt. 
 T. W. Patton, and ask you to join me in offering condolence 
 to his bereaved family in their irreparable loss, and to unite 
 in doing honor to his memory in attending in a body his 
 funeral services. 
 
 We esteemed Capt. Patton in common with all who knew 
 him, as a most worthy citizen, but there were ties that bound 
 us to him that others knew not, the ties of loving fellow- 
 comradeship, unlike all others and indescribable. Those of 
 us who were in touch with him in the "sixties" as soldiers 
 in the arduous service at Murfreesboro, Tenn., from Jackson 
 to Yicksburg, Miss., at Chicakamauga, Lookout Mountain, 
 Missionary Ridge, in the hundred days campaign from Dal- 
 ton to Atlanta in 1SG4, and finally at Bentonville. N. i\, in 
 '05, know how true he was and how conscientiously he per- 
 formed every duty, and with what paternal care he watched 
 over the men who were fortunate enough to be under his 
 command. 
 
 We bear testimony that no truer soldier had the Confed- 
 eracy and more loyal in upholding that cause so dear to us. 
 represented by the "Stars and Bars." 
 
 Capt. Patton commanded Company "C" of the GOth Reg., 
 North Carolina Volunteers. 
 
 The funeral services are supposed to take place at Trinity 
 church, Friday morning at 11 o'clock. Veterans will as- 
 semble in Confederate Hall, Friday morning at 10 :30. 
 
 J. M. Ray. 
 
 VESTRY OF TRINITY CHURCH TAKES APPROPRI- 
 ATE ACTION. 
 
 The vestry of Trinity church, of which the late lamented 
 Captain Patton was a member for G4 years, and senior war- 
 den for 29 years, assembled at a called meeting at noon to- 
 
 40 
 
day, to take action on his deatli. The foHowing resohitions 
 were adopted with a rising vote: 
 
 Wlicreas, It hath pleased the gracious Father to take 
 unto himself the soul of our beloved brother, Thomas Wal- 
 ton Patton, and join him to the glorious hosts of the Church 
 Triumphant, therefore be it 
 
 Resolved, That we give praise and thanks for the genera- 
 tion of faithful, loyal service that he renderd to the church 
 militant, and especially for the unfailing devotion that 
 helped so largely to uplift and upbuild Trinity Parish. 
 
 Resolved, That we rejoice in the 29 years of benefit that 
 this parish received from his guidance as senior warden and 
 also in the precious heritage that he has left unto us of an 
 example of godly life. 
 
 Resolved, That we lift our hearts in thanksgiving for his 
 widow, and sister, and children, that they have been granted 
 the blessed privilege of knowing how truly he remained 
 Christ's faithful soldier and servant unto his life's end. 
 
 Resolved. With sorrowing appreciation of their great loss, 
 that the rector and vestry of Trinity Parish adopt these res- 
 olutions with a rising vote, and order copies of them to be 
 filed on the minutes, sent to the bereaved family, and also 
 to the daily papers and leading church periodicals. 
 
 A certified copy of the minutes of the vestry of Trinity 
 
 P. E. Church. 
 
 Philip R. Moale, 
 
 November 7, 1907. Secretary. 
 
 Asheville, N. C, November 25, 1907. 
 
 Whereas, An allwise Providence has seen fit to remove 
 from our midst our beloved brother, Thomas W. Patton, who 
 for nearly twenty-five years was an active member of our 
 Council ; and. 
 
 Whereas, Bro. Thomas W. Patton, who by his integrity, 
 charitable acts and patriotism, showed an example of high 
 
 41 
 
ideals to be followed, and was always ready to voice bis seu- 
 timeut for wbat be tbougbt was rigbt and best, and in wbat- 
 ever position (private or public), be was placed, acted witb 
 ability, integrity and for tbe good of all ; tberefore, be it 
 
 Resolved, Tbat in tbe deatb of Bro. Tbomas W. Patton, 
 French Broad Council, No. 701, Royal Arcanum, loses one of 
 its most prominent members, tbe city and State one of tbeir 
 most useful and patriotic citizens, bis family an affectionate 
 and indulgent busband, fatber and friend, and be it furtber 
 
 Resolved, Tbat tbe Council offer its beartfelt sympathy 
 to tbe widow, children and family in this hour of greatest 
 bereavement. That these resolutions be spread on the Coun- 
 cil minutes, a copy be sent to tbe family and the city papers, 
 and the Charter be draped in mourning for thirty daj's as a 
 token of our bereavement. 
 
 S. LiPINSKY, 
 
 H. Taylor Rogers, 
 John Machin, 
 
 Committee. 
 
 Whereas, In tbe providence of God, our brother, Thomas 
 W. Patton, has been called to his reward in the higher life, 
 we, the members of the Missionary Committee of the Dis- 
 trict of Asheville, beg leave to make this record : 
 
 First, That we appreciate his great love for the Church, 
 and his unfailing devotion in her behalf. 
 
 Second, That in his death we have lost a wise leader, a 
 most devoted and practical worker in the cause of Missions. 
 
 Third, That tbe example of bis unselfish life of practical 
 Christian activity has been a help to those who knew him, 
 and his memory will be held dear by the poor and afflicted, 
 for whom he did so much. 
 
 Fourth, That this report be made a part of the minutes 
 
 42 
 
of the Missionary Commitee, and a copy be sent to his fam- 
 ily. 
 
 Respectfully submitted, 
 
 W. G. McCready, 
 McNeely DuBose. 
 Alfred H. Stubbs, 
 
 Committee. 
 
 North Carolina Division, U. D. C, 
 
 Asheville, November 14, 1907. 
 To Mrs. T. W. Patton and Family, Miss F. L. Fatton : 
 
 As one by one the veterans of our Southern cause answer 
 to the summons of the Captain of the Heavenly hosts, the 
 Daughters of the Confederacy, while bowing in humble sub- 
 mission to Divine authority, mourn the loss of their faithful 
 sympathizers. It is with peculiar sorrow that the Asheville 
 Chapter U. D. C. records the death of Captain T. W. Patton. 
 We feel that the city has lost a valuable citizen, the poor 
 and needy an ever-willing and helpful friend, and the U. 
 D. C. an honored ex-Confederate who was ever true and 
 faithful to the "Lost Cause." 
 
 We, as a Chapter, will revere his memory, and desire to 
 extend to his family our sincere and heartfelt sympathy in 
 this sad hour of bereavement. 
 
 Mrs. E. C. Chambers, 
 Mrs. F. J. Clemenger, 
 Mrs. Jas. H. Wood, 
 Mrs. Ed. McDowell, 
 
 Committee. 
 
 THE HENRIETTA. 
 
 My Dear Mrs. Patton: The Board of Managers of The 
 Henrietta have requested me to convey to yourself and fam- 
 ily our deep feeling of sympathy with you at this time. 
 
 43 
 
We kuow that words are useless to help bear this sorrow, 
 but the human heart must be strengthened by the love of 
 such a great band of friends who are stricken with the same 
 blow, and they would surround you and yours with the lov- 
 ing thought of comfort, that the beautiful life that has been 
 lived beside you has been spared to j'ou so long. 
 
 Believe me when I say it has been an inspiration to many 
 and will not cease to be so to many more in time to come. As 
 a Board we feel that we have lost our best friend and ad- 
 viser, and that a steadfast prop has been taken from this 
 work. 
 
 May our Father comfort you all. 
 Most sincerely, 
 
 Charity Rusk Craig. 
 
 November 14, 1907. 
 
 After the first sorrow of the news of your loss came these 
 lines recalled themselves to me: 
 
 "Servant of God, well done; 
 
 Rest from thy loved employ ; 
 The battle fought, the victory won. 
 Enter thy Master's joy." 
 
 LINDLEY TRAINING SCHOOL. 
 
 We, the Board of Managers of the Lindley Training 
 School, in meeting assembled, wish to place on record the 
 great sorrow we feel at the death of Capt. T. W. Pattoii, 
 who has ever been the good friend and counsellor of this 
 school, and also of all good works in this city. 
 
 And we also extend to Mrs. Patton, our esteemed fellow- 
 worker, our heartfelt sympathy at this time and pray God 
 to comfort her and have her ever in His keeping. To the 
 entire family we would that we could lighten their sorrow, 
 
 44 
 
but we know that the beautiful hfe will be an inspiration 
 and comfort to them always, and, as time goes by, strengthen 
 them in all life's troubles. 
 
 B3' order of the Board. 
 November IG, 1907. 
 
 M. E. HiLLiARD. President. 
 C. R. Craig. Secretary. 
 
 THE WOMAN'S GUILD OF TRINITY PARISH. 
 
 My Dear Mrs. Patton : For the Woman's Guild I am in- 
 structed to send to you and to Miss Fanny, assurances of our 
 deep and earnest sympathy in your great sorrow. 
 
 You have had abundant evidence of the universality of 
 the mourning, and it will be hard indeed, to those of us 
 whose memories are life-long, to all Asheville, and Trinity 
 Parish especially, without the loved and honored figure just 
 withdrawn from us. The annals of the I'arish and of the 
 community are full of the good deeds he has done — but there 
 is a longer and a sweeter story still of "that best portion of 
 a good man's life, his little, nameless, unrennembered acts 
 of kindness and of love." Your store of precious memories 
 will be ever brightening through the years that remain. 
 
 Our hearts are with you all and we pray that you may 
 be helped and comforted. 
 
 Sincerely yours, 
 
 Mary M. Pulliam, 
 
 November 9th, 1907. Secret ary ^Y. G. 
 
 DUNEDIN YACHT CLUB. 
 
 Whereas, It has pleased Almighty God in His allwise 
 providence to remove from us, by death, our friend and fel- 
 low member, Capt. T. W. Patton, we, the members of the 
 
 45 
 
Dunediu Yacht Club desire to put on reeorcl our sense of per- 
 sonal loss in his removal from us. 
 
 Capt. Patton was a man of singular rectitude of character 
 and life, a man of large and varied sympathy with all the 
 poor, unfortunate and distressed who came within reach of 
 his knowledge — a cultivated Christian gentleman. 
 
 He had served his country in time of need, had been Ik^ji- 
 ord by his fellow citizens in his own home at Asheville, N. 
 C, having served them in various offices of public trust, in- 
 cluding the highest office which they could confer upon him, 
 that of mayor. He was a man diligent and active in every 
 good work for the welfare of the people among whom his 
 life was spent. 
 
 His life voyage has ended ; he has safely crossed the bar 
 and seen his pilot face to face. 
 
 We extend to his widow and family our sincere sympathy 
 with them in their great bereavement, and direct that a copv 
 of this paper be sent to Mrs. Patton. 
 
 W. H. Malone, 
 C. A. J. Grant, Secrctarij. Commodore. 
 
 From Bishop Horner's Convention Address, June, 1908: 
 
 During the year we have lost a lay officer of this District, 
 whose valuable and distinguished services to the Church in 
 many ways make it fitting that we speak of him. Capt. 
 Thomas W. Patton was for many years the efficient Treas- 
 urer of the District. He was a Trustee of the District and 
 was always considered a valuable member of any committee 
 upon which he would serve, and because of his good judg- 
 ment in all things, he was called upon to serve on as many 
 committees of the Church as his time and strength would 
 permit. Because of his great, valuable and honored service 
 to the Church, I deem it fitting that we depart from our 
 usual custom of placing a memorial page in our Journal to 
 deceased Clergymen only, and have placed there a memoi-ial 
 page to Capt. Thomas W. Patton. 
 
 46 
 
MEMORIAL OF THOMAS WALTON PATTON. 
 
 {Taken from Journal of Episcopal Convention.) 
 
 These auuiial gatherings of our Church, besides their 
 formal legislative character, are occasions for pleasant asso- 
 ciation and opportunities for cementing friendships and stim- 
 ulating one another to love and good works. Into the tex- 
 ture of these meetings there are introduced from time to time 
 the threads of sorrow and separation — a familiar face is 
 missed, and we learn that another "laborer's work is o'er." 
 
 Today we miss the presence of Thomas Walton Patton, 
 and, as we recall the story of his life, we feel that a good 
 man has gone to his reward and that the Church which he so 
 dearly loved has lost a faithful servant, and those who were 
 privileged to know him a dear friend. 
 
 His life was passed during the most momentous years of 
 our national history, and his character was necessarily 
 moulded by the influence of those stirring times. Born in 
 the period that we affectionately speak of as the "Old South." 
 he wielded his sword and periled his life for what he 
 esteemed the sacred principles of liberty ; and he lived to see 
 the rude scars of war almost completely effaced and a united 
 people occupying the land from the Gulf to the great North- 
 ern lakes. 
 
 In our conflict with Si>ain, at an age when most men 
 w^ould have shrunk from the hardships of army life. Captain 
 Patton eagerly embraced them that he might use his veteran 
 experience for the benefit of the untried youths who volun- 
 teered in their country's service. 
 
 It was characteristic of the man to thus sympathize with 
 the younger generation and to spend himself in any cause 
 which he believed to be right and just. 
 
 In the community in which he lived, his high sense of 
 honor, his unblemished integrity, his enthusiasm for civic 
 righteousness commended him to his fellow citizens as one 
 
 47 
 
TO whom they could entrust, as they repeatedly did, their 
 most important affairs. 
 
 His religions life was marked l)y a simple earnest piety. 
 lie was devoted to the Chnrch and intelligently apprehended 
 her doctrines and modes of worship, which influenced and 
 directed all the circumstances of his life. lie took a promi- 
 nent part iu the organized forms of Church activity and was 
 a wise and helpful counsellor in the Conventions of the Dio- 
 cese of North Carolina, and, after its organization, in the 
 District of Asheville, which he repeatedly represented in the 
 General Convention. 
 
 His family life was ideal, and his association with his 
 friends full of sweetness. As his life drew toward its close 
 his religious fervor and deep spirituality were thrown into 
 greater relief as of one who was heing wrapt more and more 
 in the spirit of the Lord. 
 
 Mourning his loss we esteem his many virtues, and "thank 
 God for the good example of this his servant, who having fin- 
 ished his course in faith, doth now rest from his labors." 
 
 R. R. SwoPE. 
 
 J. A. Df:AL. 
 
 R. R. Rawls, 
 
 Committee. 
 
 On motion of the Rev. Dr. Swope, it was resolved that a 
 memorial page in memory of our late Treasurer, Mr. Thomas 
 W. Patton, be inserted in the proceedings of this present Con- 
 vention. 
 
 48 
 
IFn fIDemonum 
 
 ^boma0 TMalton patton 
 
 Born ill Asbeville, N. C, May Stli, 1841. 
 Treasurer and Trustee of the District of Asbe- 
 ville since its organization. 
 Deputy to the General Convention 1004-7. 
 Vestryman and Senior Warden of Trinity Par- 
 ish, Asheville, 1867-1907. 
 Lay Reader at Trinity Church and Neighboring 
 
 Missions. 
 
 Captain of Infantry in the Confederate Service. 
 
 Adjutant in the Spanish-American War. 
 
 Occupied many public positions of trust 
 
 and responsibility. 
 
 ''Thorouglihj identified icitli every phase of 
 life, business, pliilantliropic and religious, he 
 was the icarm friend of the poor, the illiterate, 
 and the outeast." 
 
 Died November 6th. 1907. 
 
 49 
 
*ffn nDemonum 
 
 Since the last annual report we have sus- 
 tained a very grievous loss in the death of Capt. 
 Thomas W. Patton. 
 
 Capt. Patton was one of the original members 
 of the Advisory Board of the Hospital, and was 
 deeply interested in all that concerned the insti- 
 tution. 
 
 A patriotic and public-spirited citizen, brave, 
 generous and gentle. We deplore his loss, and 
 wish in this formal and official manner to pay 
 the tribute of our respect to his memory. 
 
 51 
 
tribute to tbe Xate Capt. patton b^ a 
 IbiQb Scbool Stubcnt. 
 
 The seniors of the High School were asked hist \Yeek to 
 ^Yrite upon the life of Captain Pattou. The follo^Ying is from 
 Jake Londow, aged 17 : 
 
 Thomas Patton. 
 
 "Small service is true service while it lasts ; 
 
 Of humblest friends, bright creature : scorn not one : 
 The daisy by the shadow that it casts 
 
 Protects the lingering dewdrop from the sun." 
 
 Tlius wrote the immortal Wordsworth. The thought, 
 though clad in such simple language, is a great truth. Every 
 creature, every being that renders assistance to another de- 
 serves credit and even admiration. How much praise and 
 glory is due him who has made thousands happy I Greatness 
 is measured by service done for humanity. Is there anything 
 nobler than to assist in alleviating the suffering of man, or 
 in inspiring him with faith? Abou Ben Adhem, who loved 
 his fellow men, headed the list of those who loved the Lord. 
 Life is indeed an unknown quantity. AYe cannot understand 
 the purpose of our creation. Yet, the desire to live is com- 
 mon to all, and we instinctively know that we must assist 
 each other in the struggle for existence. 
 
 # ^ ^ H: H: ^ H< 
 
 Looking at greatness from this viewpoint, we must con- 
 cede that Captain Patton was great as well as noble. He 
 spent the few years allotted him in the interest of humanity. 
 In civil, religious and military affairs he stood in the front 
 ranks. To serve his neighbor, his city, his state, his county, 
 in any capacity, was his ambition. 
 
 52 
 
Thomas Patton was a man of integrity and of fixed i,v'm- 
 ciples. He believed in the justness of the Southern cans?. 
 The horrors of war and tlie attending misery did not deter 
 him from fighting f(n- that cause. The close of that civil 
 strife found him willing to forget the past and ready to hehj 
 build up a great future: to unite the North and South under 
 one glorious flag, and not in theory alone. How many 
 hearts must have been stirred with patriotism as he marched 
 away with his younger brothers to the Spanish-American 
 war! Again was he prepared to aid in a just struggle. 
 
 When called upon to take certain offices he gave the city 
 clean, business-like administration. In fact, civic righteous- 
 ness was his contention. 
 
 The Governor of this State called on him several times to 
 serve on the committees of "public institutions" and "chari- 
 ties." In this capacity he appeared the champion of justice, 
 morality and charity. The suffering of the convicts appealed 
 to him, and he urged prison reform. After years of study 
 Capt. Patton was convinced that capital punishment was 
 wrong, and he earnestly desired its abolishment, and ^^'hen 
 not serving the people officially he was always in the ranks, 
 exerting all his efforts for the poor and miserable as for the 
 whole city. New plans, new reforms were proposed by him 
 in our newspapers. To every cause which he deemed worthy 
 he gave both moral and financial support. In the last letter 
 written to The Gazette-News he expresses hope that tlie eiiy 
 will Imild voting places, beautiful in architecture, whicli wlU 
 inspire the voter with noble thoughts. He looked forward to 
 a time when suffrage will be extended to women, for he l>e- 
 lieved that '•all mankind are created equal." 
 
 In ancient times, the military victors were held in great 
 esteem. The soldier who shed the most blood was the hero 
 of the day. Although the prophecies of the Divine insinred 
 Isaiah have not been realized : although the dream of Tenny- 
 son has not yet come true, mankind now knows that not the 
 soldier, but the workman who shapes and moulds ;i more 
 spiritual humanity, is the true hero, and that his fame will 
 be lasting. 
 
 53 
 
Coloreb /iDen's tribute to Xate/lDr, patton. 
 
 Editor of The Asheville Citizen : 
 
 Please grant space for a colored man's word of humble 
 tribute to the memory of the late Captain T. W. Patton. Out 
 of the goodness of his heart Captain Patton stood by and be- 
 friended me and my household through many checkered years 
 — through so many years, in fact, that I saw my children 
 grow from babyhood to manhood and womanhood. During 
 these years there often came to me days that were dark, but 
 no day so dark that it was not in some way relieved by his 
 goodness. And amid his other kindly deeds to me I count 
 his good advice and counsel as no means least, though there 
 were times, perhaps, when I was not as observant of these 
 last as I might have been. What wonder, then, that I should 
 feel impelled to lay upon his honored grave some sprig or 
 leaf in token of grateful remembrance? 
 
 Captain Patton was true as steel to the traditions of the 
 better South, that South against which a scrutinizing world 
 finds little or naught to say. He was in all respects one of 
 the South's true noblemen. Though about him there might 
 be apostacy from the Old South's best ideals, he seemed 
 never to forget that the South had a traditional better self, 
 of which he, for one, meant to be worthy. Like a Roman 
 patron come down to these latter days, he lived steadily on 
 in the light of the South's golden age of chivalry. Reflected 
 from the fast-receding years, this beneficent light of Southern 
 characteristic. As anything feature of our American slave- 
 time — each year grows less perceptible as a Southern char- 
 acteristic. As anything like a pronounced feature, this light 
 of chivalry will some day disappear. Captain Patton mani- 
 festly did not intend that it should disappear in him. 
 Thereby guiding himself the meanwhile, he also held the 
 light for others high uplifted, and revealed it anew as the 
 
 54 
 
South's best grace. By every consideratiou — race, wealth, 
 position, intellectual endowment — he was a man of might; 
 yet to him it were a shame that the strong man, merely be- 
 cause strong, should make any ignoble use of his strength in 
 relation to the weak and lowly. To be sure, he upheld, in the 
 strong and enlightened, the right to guide, lead and rule ; but 
 he denied to the strong the right to abuse their power, and 
 laid upon them the obligation to guard and defend the de- 
 fenseless, and minister in acts of kindly helpfulness to those 
 who are beneath them. Such was hi,s creed, and such his 
 rule of life so far as his humble fellow creatures were con- 
 cerned. The grand thought that seemed ever to lie big in 
 his great and noble soul was this, that rank imposes obliga- 
 tion. He was one of God's ambassadors to the world, and he 
 delivered his message well. The weary and lowly heard that 
 message, looked up, and were glad, men in high places heard 
 it, and were made ashamed. And now that the last chapter 
 in his book of mortal life has been written and ";?/?/.S'" fol- 
 lows after all, he stands before the Maker justified and un- 
 accused. The friend of mankind, he was the friend of God, 
 and trembles before the great white throne. ^Master Chris- 
 tian that he was in life, his is the victor's crown in the bet- 
 ter land. That he may rest in peace, and his sainted meui- 
 ory be embalmed for the keeping of years, is the sincere wish 
 of one that he helped and blessed in life. 
 
 E. H. LiPSCOMBE. 
 
 Wadesboro, N. C, Dec. 12, 1907. 
 
 55