Medford mail tribune. (Medford, Or.) 1909-1989, April 24, 1961, Image 7

Historic Oregon Newspapers

Medford mail tribune., April 24, 1961, Image 7

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Newspaper Page TextMEDFORD MAIL TRIBUNE. MEDFORD. OREGON MONDAY, APRIL 24, 1961 Robert E. Lee Joins the South By MERTON TAKERS TIPI Correspondent The man on the railroad platform at Alexandria, Va., waiting for a Richmond train on Monday morning, April 22, 1861', wore a high silk hat and neat civilian dress, but he stood erect with a bearing that bespoke military service. At 54, Robert Edward Lee Was starting a new career, and starting It with heavy heart. Two days before he had cut the ties of a quarter of a century by resigning his com mission as. lieutenant, colonel In the U. S. Army. His had been a. brilliant ca reer - honor cadet at West Point1, ''.later Its superintend ent; engineering genius of the Mexican War who had won the plaudits of Gen. Winfield Scott; a man "worth 50,000 soldiers" and whose life should be insured by the government for $5 million a year, Scott said. For all that, his , salary In that quarter-century never was more than $1,024 a year. Family Rich in Heritage Lee was 5 feet, 11 inches tall. His trunk and head gave , the impression of masslveness. .' In April '61 he Wore a dark - mustache, his brown-hair was graying, but the silver was noticeable only.' a few .'feet away. The beard, which ev ery school boy knows, he grew in future campaigning, ( He came to the station that morning from Arlington Hall, a many-pillared mansion atop q ma across me roiomainrom Washington and crammed with relicts of George-.Wash ington, to' mat nouse, wmcn he never would know again as home, he had come acourt- lng Mary Ann Randolph Cur tis, a daughter of Washing ton's adopted son and an heiress. He was. a son of one of . Washington's generals, Light Horsi Harry Lee. He had been born to the Virginia . purple not far . away at Stratford Hall. His forebears had help ed to forge the nation with Jefferson, . Henry, Franklin and Madison. But the Lees had fallen on bad times and when young Robert paid court to Mary it was as a suitor rich in heritage and poor in purse. Lee had come to Washing ton in March from Texas where he was lieutenant col onel of the 2nd Cavalry, so called "Confederate cadre" because' it was organized by Jefferson. Davis when he was secretary of war and contain ed a heavy percentage of southern officers. a Decision Is Difficult The Union was breaking up. Many army officers were re signing and going South. Lee had to make up his mind. He went to see old Francis P. Blair, who lived in the Blair House on Pennsylvania Ave. in Washington and whose pub lic services dated back to the Jacksonian era. The meeting was at Blair's request and occurred April 18, 1861. Blair offered to Lee, on President Lincoln's behalf, command of the Union armies then begin ning to take shape. Lee with held his answer, went to see his old friend. Gen, Scott, and rode back to Arlington. The next night in his own room- he made his decision. "Mrs. Lee heard him pace the floor and at last drop to his knees in prayer. 'After midnight, -he ,came down and showed her a letter to,NGeni ; Scott resigning his commission in which he said: "Save In defense of my na-- tive state, I never desire again to draw my sword." ... . j Named Major General Lee was no secessionist. He was against slavery, believing it hurt the masters more than the slaves. But he had a deep A V, Now N I TTM THAT ALir GoOO TURs LIKE TO SOlO i- I NU-WAY CLEANERS for SAFE; INSURED COLD STORAGE Our storage vaults are the nicest place in the world for furs to spend the warm months.. They're pampered in the perfect fur climate where they're safe from moths and insured against all hazards. To send your furs away for a beneficial rest cure, call us today. Conyenitnt Parking Right si th Door Try Our CUSTOM LAUNDERED SHIRTS Fit Better Look Better Feel Better W$0 601 E. Main St. Library Services For Senior Citizens Reviewed in County A 7 loyalty to his state, a common trait of the day. The next day, Sunday after church, Lee met three strange men, presumably messengers from Richmond. On Monday he was ready to go to Richmond. Mrs. Lee, a chronic sufferer from arthritis, remained at Arlington and began to box the Washington mementoes to send deep, into Virginia, for Arlington was in sight of the White House and a prime federal target. , That evening in Richmond Gov. John Letcher made Lee a major general commanding all the states forces. .(The state's "arsenal" at the mo ment consisted of 60,000 mus kets, 54,000. of them flintlocks, and 200 kegs of powder.) Lee had no more than sat down at his desk in his one room office when a delegation invited him to appear before the secession convention. There the convention presi dent, John Janney, eulogized him in language even more flowery than was common In that day. 'Yesterday, your mother, Virginia, placed her sword in your hand ; we know . ; . you will draw it only in her defense, and that you-will fall with it in yoUr hand rather man tnat tne object for which it was placed there shall fall," Janney said, -V Lee replied briefly. "I would have much- preferred had - your choice fallen on an abler man," and accepted the trust. Order From Chaos ' The ' ceremony over, Lee saw Vice President Alexander H. Stephens of the Confeder acy who was concerned over Lee's rank. The Confederacy at the time offered no rank above brigadier general. Vir ginia technically was not yet a member of the Confederacy. There migh.t be a clash of ranks. Lee understood and told Stephens not to worry, that his rank would not be allowed to interfere. In a few days Virginia gave the Con federacy control of - its mili tary forces. Lee assembled a small staff. one. of them, John Washing ton, great nephew of Gen. Washington, and started out to bring order out of the mili tary chaos. His time was lim ited. A federal invasion could be expected anytime ; after May,. 28, the.-.date when the state would vote on secession, already an accomplished fact. He shored up the defenses of the lower James river, the water gateway to Richmond and . where the federals still held Fortress Monroe. He sent rapidly gathering military companies to Harper's Ferry and to Manassas to protect the northern line. ' Grant Seeks Appointment Soon after the Confederacy took over he had the military situation as well in hand as was possible amid the confu sion. Also by that time anoth er army man - an ex-captain -was writing to the adjutant general m Washington look ing for a job. Having served 15 years in the Regular Army, including four years at West Point, and feeling it the duty of every, one who has been -educated at government expense to of fer their services . '. . I have the honor, very respectfully, to tender my services, until the close of the war, in such a capacity as may be offered." The letter was stoned 'U. S. Grant." He thought he was competent to be a colonel, he wrote. Lee would surrender to this U. S. Grant, a lieutenant gen eral, just four years and many battles later. Grant would rise one rank at a time, starting at the level of ills own estima tion, colonel, but in the serv ice of the State of Illinois. not the Regular Army. He went to the post office every day lor a month for the an swer that never came. ms letter was round in a War Department pigeon hole only after Grant became Pres ident and had it searched out. Special library services to senior citizens and other privileges for library patrons have been reviewed during National Library ' week . by spokesmen of the' Public Li brary of Medford and Jackson county. ' Senior citizens, persons at least 69 years old, may now have books mailed to them free; as well as be provided with materials to return the books by mail postage-paid. Books not returned within the two-week loan period will automatically be renewed. Telephone renewals are also accepted, according to MacLaren School Escapees Caught Portand - (UPD r Three es capees from the MacLaren School for Boys near Wood burn were apprehended here Oregon Has Chance For Education Grant Salem - (UPD - Dr. Leon P. Minear, state superintendent of public instruction, said Sat urday the chances of Oregon getting a multi-million dollar private grant for education appear "increasingly favora ble." ' Minear reported on a trip to New York to confer with officials of the foundation where application has been made. Saturday night. ;.' . Portland police brought the boys into custody. The youths, one 15 and two 16-years-old, were in possession of a car stolen at North Bend Satur day morning. They escaped from Mac Laren April 14. - Police said they found two revolvers and a hunting knife in the car's glove compart- 'ment. library officials. Books may be requested by telephone, by mail, or in person either by senior citizens or by someone else for a senior citizen. Book lists are to be pre pared regularly and distrib uted to the senior citizens. In addition, a brochure listing information concerning this service is to be distributed by local groups interested in the problems of senior citizens. Persons at least 65 years of age wishing to take advantage of this library service should contact the library for addi tional information. Included in the services of the local library is an ever increasing record collection, Records also are being accu mulated so Branch libraries throughout the county will have records shelved. - A union catalogue with the Ashland library has recently been completed, making avail- Portland Gas Price Drops To 16.9 Cents Portland-IUPD- Bill Hauck's "Flying A" service- station slashed regular gasoline prices to 16.0 cents a gallon Friday. The price was still in effect today with business picking up. Hauck said he took the ac tion to "shock" dealers to end the current gas price war be ing waged here. Pearson, Barton 'Most Effective' Salem - (DPD - Sen. Waller J. Pearson (D-Portland) and Rep. Clarence Barton (D- Coquille) have been judged the two most effective mem bers of the 1061 legislature in a poll of the legislative press corps. The poll, conducted by the Oregon Statesman, gave Pearson six votes for most effective senator and Barton four votes for most effective representative. Others, In order, were Sen Anthony Yturri (R-Ontario), Speaker Robert Duncan (D- Medford), Senate President Harry Boivin (D-Klamath Falls). Mention went to Reps. George Layman (R-Newberg), Rushed to us from Sunny California 'specially for you . T able to users of both libraries' volumes listed only Dy one oi; the libraries. ; Although the Medford-sys-4 tern withdrawal cards have; been honored for several) months in Ashland, for ..thai first time in several years a free interchange of borronf ing privileges is being - re sumed at the Rogue Rivef. branch. T' i C 4 Library personnel have" re-' minded residents that volumes not in the county libraries', may be obtained by the Mea; ford library from the Oregon State library. Requests of this type are filled without charge.'' Book patrons may also bbr: row or return books to Shy branch in the county. - I Jllllllll ? " ' fill Q'; 40 Years Serving--The Northwest NEW CALIFORNIA White Rose U.S. No, 1 These ' famous "long whites'' arc a sure sign of spring . . . flakey thin skins, a new low price. . ; ",'"' Parsleyed potatoes offer three-way appeal; they have an Irresistible fresh taste, they're downright pretty, and they're mighty thrifty. Serve some tonlghtl Grapefruit II .bs. 4fc Marshseedless Sun kilt "Desert Crown". 8-lb. bag llaarl I AltllAA Large, firm bail hoiiuvtf solid heads. 49c 29c Cucumbers V.'.?. crunchy; perfect slicers Yellow Onions g$?a each IOC 3 ibs. 25c CRISCO WESSON CANNED your favorite OIL MILK Your favorit for cooking or salads lb. Can Quart Carnation Bordans, Sago Tall Cant 79 29 Hot Sauce DHe' on 3 f.r 29c Ice Milk Lucerne Frozen Dessert Utah 49c flliaasa I f Van Zee VIIO930 kuai Bread Why Pay More? NEW Skylark Western Farms 69 c large loaf 35c Wyler's Mix Skylark Bread Cigarettes Vilte orKing si "Eft9 35c Ctn. $1.79 Coffee SlffiT1'1 2 ,b, $1.00 10c 59c 59c Beef-Noodle Soup Reddi-Whip Mazola Oil Instant Topping lbs. 2-oi. Pkg. 6-OI. can A real low price It. BEST FOODS MAYONNAISE quart Mu Made Mayonnaise FAMOUS KRAFT SALAD DRESSINGS French or Miracle French 8.01 29c 16-oz. 47c Casino French Dressing 24-oz. jar 39c 8-oi. bottle Italian or Catalina Roka Blue g.0,. 45c . 8-o j. bottle Low Calorie French , 8-oi. 39c 39c 43c 1 Do II Reg. 75c ... for all your washday needs. . Gets clothes really white.' Giant pkg. White Magic IV, giant pkg. 45c 3 VALUABLE COUPON ,. . . NO CASH VALUE . C This Coupon Is Worth TOWARD THE PURCHASE OF mwm Boneless, cooked, no waste each. (Expires 42761)- Regularly $2.49 with this coupon $1.99. 3 pounds 3 VALUABLE COUPON . . . NO CASH VALUE Zee Dinner Napkins Blue Bell Potato Chips Snow's Minced Clams Kaiser Quilted Foil Trend Dry Detergent C-20 Detergent 2 3 39c Triple Pak 7'i-oi. can 25.fr. roll 69c 31c 35c Cap't. Choice 8-oi. Chicken Turkey Beef 12-oi. pkg. 15c Off Pack WE GIVE 2,2S'39c ft 80c LOOK WHAT A DOLLAR BUYS AT SAFEWAY! Breaded Fish Sticks Chefs Tamales Del Monte Sausage Rolls All Beef Sausage Delicately seasoned Prices effective Monday, April 24 thru Wednesday, April 26, at Safeway in Medford. We reserve the right to limit. pkg. TV nrirJ" Mb. roll J Match 'em , : 1 -lb. each mm -' H. D. CHRISTENSEN Victor Atiyeh (R-Portland), F GOLD BOND STAMPS F. Montgomery (R-Eugene) and William Holms trom (D- Gearhart). o - . , '.-.. kt::::.