History of Davidson County, Tennessee, with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 111

Author: Clayton, W. W. (W. Woodford)
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Philadelphia, J.W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1013

USA > Tennessee > Davidson County > History of Davidson County, Tennessee, with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 111

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In his death Nashville has lost one of her best citizens, and one whose past life can be held up to the young as an example of what is in store for those who follow the course he pursued. He won the confidence of all with whom he come in contact, and proved himself worthy of those who confided in him. After life's tempestuous voyage, let us hope he has found a haven of rest.

As a tribute to the memory of the late Capt. Phillips, the Merchants' Exchange at a meeting held Feb. 17, 1880, adopted the following :

" Whereas, We have received the sad intelligence of the death of Capt. Phillips, which occurred at his residence near this city at six o'clock this morning, and

"Whereas, For fifty years Capt. Phillips has been closely identified with the business interests of our city, and, at the time of his death, was one of the oldest and most highly-esteemed merchants of the city,-eventually a self- made man,-commencing life under serious and, to some, insurmountable difficulties, he rose through the power of native intellect and industrious application to an honored position in life to which few men attain. As a man, he was modest and retiring; as a citizen, public-spirited and charitable ; as a merchant, honest and just in all his deal- ings; as a friend, unyielding in his attachment ; as a hus- band and father, devoted and true. He fully exemplified throughout his entire life that he was, indeed, an honest man. He recognized his responsibility to God, and was a faithful and devout Christian.

" Resolved, That in the death of Capt. Phillips this Ex- change has last one of its most valued and highly-esteemed members.

" Resolved, That we extend our condolence to his family in this sad hour of their affliction.

" Resolved, That we do attend his funeral, and that the merchants on the streets through which the procession may pass be requested to close their doors.

" Resolved, That a copy of these proceedings be spread upon the minutes of the Exchange, a copy presented to his family, and furnished the city papers for publication."

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BIOGRAPHIES.

GEN. WILLIAM G. HARDING.

Gen. William G. Harding was born Sept 15, 1808, in a log cabin now standing at " Belle Meade," near Nashville, at that time the home of his parents, who were John Hard- ing and his wife, Susannah Shute.

Mr. Harding's family trace their lineage to Martin Hard- ing, the Huguenot. The Shute family emigrated from Pennsylvania to Tennessee previous to 1798, and were among the early settlers of the State.

The characteristics of Gen. Harding's youth were en- ergy, courage, and unswerving devotion to truth. His edu- cation in the primary branches of reading, writing, and arithmetic was acquired in such schools as the neighbor- hood afforded at that time, his schooling interrupted by work on the farm (his father believing that a valuable part of education was to teach a boy how to work.)

At the age of fourteen years he entered the Nashville University, of which Dr. Philip Lindsley was president. His associates were not of a studious bent, clever but wild boys. Their bad influence was recognized by young Harding, and, with a decision of character uncommon for his years, he communicated to his father his conviction that the only practical course for him was to seek another school. His father advised him to return to his class and resist the influences about him ; but said young Harding, " These boys are my friends ; I will not offend them ; my only way is to leave the school.and seek another." Receiving permission to make his own selection, he set out from home at the age of sixteen, and examined for himself how discipline was maintained at Princeton, N. J., and Harvard College, at Cambridge, Mass. He also visited Middletown, Conn., where " The American Literary and Scientific Academy," taught by that highly accomplished military man and ripe scholar, Capt. Alden Partridge, formerly superintendent of West Point Military Academy, was located.

Carefully examining the routine and curriculum, and being highly pleased with its management, he entered the latter school, a total stranger to professors and stu- dents; keeping himself aloof from his associates, he formed no intimate relations before he had ample opportuni- ties to become acquainted with the characters of his fellows.

He graduated in 1829. His course was marked by studious ways and high military habits and bearing, hold- ing every office in his company from corporal to captain. He was also inspector of the corps of cadets, the highest military office of the institution.

The school embraced among its students while young Harding was in attendance such distinguished gentlemen as Horatio Seymour, of New York ; Harry Seymour, of Con- necticut; Iturbide, of Mexico; Col. M. H. Sanford, of New York, now the proprietor of the justly celebrated breeding farm " North Elkhorn," Kentucky ; ex-Governor Hoge, of North Carolina, and many others equally distinguished in the civil offices of the country.

The only certificate of graduation ever given in Capt. Partridge's own handwriting was given to young Harding. The certificate closes with the following words :

" I hereby recommend William G. Harding, a graduate 53

of this institution, as a scholar, a gentleman, and a soldier, to all whom it may concern,"

A strong and lasting friendship sprang up between Capt. Partridge and young Harding. On leaving his Alma Mater he persuaded his instructor to accompany him to his home in Tennessee. While here they both visited Gen. Andrew Jackson, in whom they found a congenial spirit, since both Partridge and Harding were possessed of many of the traits of character that distinguished the old hero.

On the 17th of November, 1829, Mr. Harding was mar- ried to Miss Mary Selene MeNairy (daughter of Nathaniel McNairy, and his wife, nee Catharine Hobson), of Nash- ville, Tenn. By this marriage he has one son living,-viz., John Harding. After his marriage he settled in a log cabin on what is known as the "Stone's River Farm," where he lived a plain, retired, and economical life, engaged in cotton-growing. He was the first in this section to ship hay to New Orleans and corn to Charleston, S. C., by rail. His wife died in 1837, and in 1839 his father turned over to him the " Belle Meade Estate," then comprising about fourteen hundred acres of land and about one hundred and twenty-five slaves of all ages. He has here resided to the present time, constantly giving his personal attention to his plantation, and adding adjoining acres to the estate to make room for the increase of his negroes. He was opposed, as his father before him had been, to purchasing slaves. He was also opposed to trusting his slaves under the charge of an overseer ; consequently he would never invest in a cotton or sugar plantation, but kept his slaves around him. He was in this course declining what was regarded as the more profitable method of working slave labor, but preferring what he considered as the more humane. Rather than mor- tify his negroes and separate their families, he enlarged his plantation and kept them under his own supervision.

During the civil war his slaves remained faithful to him, and a goodly number of them remain with him at the present time. He cares for them in sickness and in health as formerly ; they are a contented, happy set, well fed, well clothed, fat, sleek, and merry.

On the 2d of January, 1840, he married his second wife, Miss Elizabeth MeGavock (daughter of Randal McGavock and his wife, nee Sarah Rogers, of Franklin, Tenn.). By this marriage he has left two daughters,-Selene, the eldest, the wife of Gen. W. H. Jackson, the present assistant of Gen. Harding in the management of " Belle Meade," and Mary Elizabeth, the wife of Judge Howell E. Jackson (brother of Gen. W. H. Jackson), and a lawyer of emi- nence, residing in Jackson, West Tennessee. Mrs. Harding died Aug. 9, 1867.

Gen. Harding has been a leading agriculturist and stock- breeder in his State. He has taken great interest in affairs of State and the general government. In politics he is a Democrat of the Jacksonian type. He was the first person to suggest to Dr. Overton the necessity for the construction of the Nashville and Chattanooga Railroad, and labored with him several days before he could exact a promise from that gentleman to agitate the subject. Dr. Overton pro- nounced Gen. Harding wild and visionary when he first broached the matter.

. Gen. Ilarding has been a reader all his life, and an ad-

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vanced agriculturist, keeping pace with the times in the use of improved farming implements and machinery, and espe- cially the improvement of the blooded horse. In this con- nection it will be interesting to insert his essay on "The Blood Horse," read before the Davidson County Farmers' Club :

THE BLOOD HORSE.

" MR. PRESIDENT AND FELLOW-MEMBERS OF THE DAVIDSON COUNTY FARMERS' CLUB,-At our last meet- ing I addressed to the Farmers' Club some desultory re- marks on the relative value of the various breeds of domestic animals, the horse included, when you had a right, as per request of the club, to expect an essay on the blood horse. I will now proceed to comply with your just expectations. Among all the numerous varieties of domestic animals which a benevolent Providence has created for the use of man, the blood horse stands pre-eminent, without a compeer in the animal kingdom. In beauty he is without a rival,- a coat as fine as the finest satin ; his eye, in repose, as mild and gentle as the lamb ; under excitement as bright as the eagle and as bold as the lion, denoting the energy of his nature; his skin as thin and elastic as the fawn ; his form as perfect and well placed as beautifully defined muscles can make it. This is his exterior, or that which is visible to the human eye; but there is an interior or invisible structure which contributes more perhaps to his powers than even his perfect exterior formation. His large heart and capacious lungs give him the wind of the high-bred hound; his large blood-vessels and soft, thin skin enable him to throw off the excess of heat that must be gen- erated by great and rapid exertion, especially in a heated atmosphere; his muscles firm and beautifully defined with bone of ivory texture,-all combine to give him strength, endurance, action, and beauty far exceeding all of the equine race.

" The uninstructed in horseology may inquire, How do you know of this internal and invisible structure ? The veterinary will answer, By dissection of blood horses we find universally large heart, capacious blood-vessels, thin skin, and ivory-like bone, possessing solidity and consequently strength far superior to coarse breeds. Therefore, when we know the pedigree is pure we also know that this per- fect internal structure exists. The uninitiated may also ask, What do you mean by a thoroughbred or blood horse ? I mean the horse which traces back, with certainty, through a long line of distinguished ancestry to the beautiful and game little creatures which were imported into England from the deserts of Arabia about the middle of the six- teenth century. How they came there, or by what means they had been brought to the degree of perfection they possessed at that early period, I am not able to answer. From that time to the present the best talent of intelligent breeders has been zealously and energetically employed throughout the world, aided too by all the leading govern- ments (except our own) to develop and improve this noble animal. They have not failed. By attention to his com- fort, with a liberal supply of proper food from infancy to maturity, his- size has been enlarged, consequently his strength and speed increased ; though beautiful when brought from his native desert, he is now magnificent.

He has been made so nearly perfect that breeders of the present period are puzzled to know what further improve- ment can be anticipated. He is now as large perhaps as desirable for all the wants of man, as beautiful as imagina- tion can picture, as fleet as the wind,-under proper teaching and kind handling as docile as the lamb and a giant in strength ; the kind treatment should commence when the animal is a day old.

"To form an idea of the wonderful powers of the blood horse, we will suppose his weight to be nine hundred pounds, this being about the weight of race-horses. By the strength of his muscle he carries this weight together with his rider, one hundred pounds more, making one thousand pounds, not on a down grade, but on a horizontal line, a mile in one minute and forty-three seconds, almost equaling the power of steam. Of all animated nature the feathered tribe alone can equal his speed. If we imagine a feathered monster of equal weight, I doubt much whether he could surpass him in his flight. Persons not versed in horscology have of course but an imperfect idea of his history, or of all the care and labor bestowed in its prepa. ration, or of the perfect reliability of the record ; no human history equals it in point of accuracy nor human pedigree in point of purity of blood. His genealogy is traced, through many generations, back to his Eastern origin without a shadow of doubt; spurious pedigrees, though sometimes attempted, are easily detected by the experi- enced pedigreeist. Though the blood horse is more beau- tiful and possesses more strength (according to weight), more speed and durability, than any of the cquine race, and is, therefore, justly admired by all men, but by the uninformed only as a beautiful creature, many of whom imagine he is bred for a race alone and is fit for nothing else, has no other value than occasionally to contribute to the amusement of the public on the race-course. This is an egregious error; the race-course is only the school to educate and prepare him to exhibit his wonderful powers in competition with the best of the royal family,-a field the plebeian dare not enter, no scrub ever having won a prise with thoroughbred competitors. Ten drops of plebeian blood in one thousand would endanger his success. The race-course is, therefore, a necessity, for through its instru- mentality the blood horse has been brought to his present high degree of perfection. Human judgment is often in error, but on no subject more frequently than in the opio- ions we form of the relative power and value of the horse. It is as easy to judge the powers and qualities of man by the eye, and all will admit the fallibility of such judgment. No, my friends, we can only judge correctly of the intel- lectual and moral worth of our great meu when we view them on the world's stage in competition with distinguished competitors. Without a theatre the world could never have known those distinguished delincators of human char- acter whose names now fill many an honored page in human history. Without a race-course the world would never have known of the great powers of Lexington, the horse that has contributed more to the improvement of his rave than any predecessor. I am aware of the prejudices exist- ing against the race-course by religionists, generally on account of its immoral tendency ; that these prejudices are

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not altogether groundless, I admit, but that the immoral- ities of a well-regulated race course are greatly magnified by those who know the least of their operations, I am per- fectly satisfied ; that it may be still further improved and all objectionable features removed, I earnestly desire. For near forty years I have been a breeder of the blood horse, and an active participator in his education and development, and can affirm that vice and immorality do not necessarily attach to raising, and while, as before remarked, the race- course is a necessity, for without it the breeder could not know the superior horses and the best strains to propagate, and without this knowledge his improvement would cease and deterioration begin.

" Here the question arises whether we will permit this noble and most useful creature, which has been brought to his present degree of perfection by the efforts of breeders for the past two hundred years, and by the expenditure of as many millions of money, to retrograde into the coarse and clumsy brute he is represented previous to the intro- duction of the Arab, or go on to improve and develop still higher and more useful qualities. For one, I advocate his preservation, and at the same time call upon the moralist to unite with me in the effort to remove all objectionable fea- tures that may attach to the institution so necessary to his development. Beauty, speed, action, durability, and the many admirable qualities I claim for this magnificent animal do not constitute his chief-nay, nor his greatest-value. His mission is to improve his race. The pure and unadul- terated blood which flows in his veins improves and gives additional value to all the horse family. To the children's pony it imparts more action, sprightliness, and beauty ; to the saddle-horse more action, durability, and style; to the trotter, a class of animals at present so highly prized, and for which such fabulous prices are paid, blood is indispen- sable, for without it, with all his great strength, when pressed, his muscles will tire and grow weak for want of breath,-the natural result, not of his exterior formation, but of his defective internal organization.

"Great speed and durability are not attained without the judicious infusion of blood ; a thorough scrub is incapable of either speed or endurance. Never did blood tell with more effect than in the beginning of the late civil war, when the successes of the Southern cavalry proved more than equal to the North, two to one. But towards the close of the war, when the well-bred horses of the South fell into the possession of the Northern cavalry, this supe- riority failed to appear. A dash of blood is indispensable to the war-horse, giving not only action and durability, but courage and boldness, which it is said is in some degree imparted to the rider, hence the enlightened governments of Europe encourage the production of blood horses with aid from the national treasury,-a wise policy, that should be imitated by this great and rapidly-increasing govern- ment. No people on earth make so much use of the horse as the people of the United States, especially of the south- ern and western portion. Here some of my hearers may ask the question whether, with all the perfection you claim for the blood horse, you esteem him the horse of all work ? I answer, no-emphatically no. No such horse or breed exists on earth. The horse is now an inhabitant

of all countries, of nearly every clime, from the torrid to the frigid zone, used by all people (civilized) under varied and totally different circumstances and for a thousand different purposes. Of course no single animal or breed can be best adapted to all these various circumstances and conditions. The children's pony and the slow and easy pacer for the old man would ill suit the dashing cavalry- man, or the rapid riding of young men. Again, the thin hair and delicate skin of the blood horse unfit him for use in extreme northern regions,-as much so as the long and shaggy hair of the moose or reindeer disqualify or unfit them for dwellers in southern climates.

" No, my friends ; a benevolent Providence has made for the use of man a great variety of domestic animals, but no one breed of horses or other domestic animals best suited to the wants of man everywhere, in all climates, and under all circumstances. The stately and valuable Durham would be worthless in either extreme of temperature ; also in all poor localities, where herbage is scarce, in any climate. Though I admit the blood horse is not the horse of all work, and best for all the varied uses of man everywhere and under all circumstances, I affirm he is better adapted to a greater variety of uses than any of his race. The opinions here expressed are not theoretical, but the result of the ex- perience of more than forty years ; the facts stated the result of experiments for a like period. The best and most durable plow-horse I ever owned was a thoroughbred. On a hot day, in high corn (the most severe test for farm stock), he could kill all the horses and mules that would keep up with him, without injury to himself. The best, most active and durable saddle-horse I ever owned was a blood horse. I rode this horse till he was twenty-four years of age before he ever fell or made a bad blunder. I then set him free, and had the pleasure of providing for his com- fort for several years after.

" The best harness-horses I have used were well bred. I find them more sensible, and consequently more safe and reli- able. The best mules I ever worked were from well-bred mares. Indeed, no animal is more improved by a dash of blood than the mule. It imparts to him the action and spirit which he so greatly needs.

"Since writing this essay I have read a most excellent editorial on the subject of ' Thoroughbreds and Trotting' in the National Live Stock Journal. In the article referred to he says, ' So far as we are advised and believe, there is no individual fast trotter nor admitted family of trotters whose blood, if known, is not traceable in part to the thoroughbred. In other words, thoroughbred blood, if not the foundation-the sine qua non-of speed at the trot, and, we may add, at any other gait, is always present where speed is found. There is no speed without blood ; and we think the inference fair that none is expected.'

" I would be pleased to quote much more from Col. Rey- nolds' sensible article, but have already extended this essay to an unexpected length, and will conclude it with the re- mark that my hearers have only to make the acquaintance of the blood horse to become like myself his admirer and zealous advocate.

" I thank you, Mr. President and gentlemen of the club, for the compliment and courtesy extended to me in the call

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upon me for this my first essay upon my favorite sub- ject."

BLOOD-STOCK DEPARTMENT.

Belle Meade has a national reputation as the home of the " thoroughbred horse," and is justly entitled to it. Gen. Harding has made a large outlay in this department for se- curing the most fashionable strains of blood. He has now three stallions,-" Enquirer" (imported), "Great Tom," and " John Morgan,"-also sixty-five blood mares, all of the choicest families.

He has his annual sales, at which, by public outcry, the entire product of his thoroughbred marcs are sold without reserve, and no by-bidding.

Gen. Harding has retired from the turf, but takes a natural pride in the success of colts of his raising. Profit is now crowning his enterprise, begun from a taste for the blood horse. Gen. Harding began breeding thoroughbreds about 1835 on a small scale,-not with the expectation of making money, neither with the intention of losing money. He therefore resolved never to bet a cent on the result of any contest of speed or any game of chance, to which good resolution he has faithfully adhered to this day.

Gen. Harding is of the opinion that of all the domestic animals that a beneficent Creator has given for the use of man, the blooded horse is without a rival for courage, beauty, action, and endurance. He advances prominently this idea touching the necessity for a well-regulated system of turf- raising, viz. : Without the theatre the world would never have known of those distinguished delineators of human character in all its wondrous phases. So without the turf the world would never have known of the wonderful powers of the great Lexington, Glencoe, Vandal, Bonnie Scotland, and other noted sires, and equally in darkness as to these valuable strains of blood to propagate, and which strains have contributed so much to improve the horses of America. Americans make a more extravagant use of the horse in all departments of industry and for pleasure than any other na- tion, and, since the mission of the thoroughbred is to improve all the equine race, it is of great importance that intelligent breeders should know where to obtain those strains of blood noted for perfect symmetry and great endurance. This knowledge is only attainable from witnessing actual contests on the horse's theatre of action, " the turf."

BELLE MEADE.

The estate comprises now about four thousand acres, and is cultivated in the mowing grasses and the cereals. A large part of it is set in the grazing grasses. The planta- tion is worked by from twenty to twenty-five negro laborers. There is a saw-mill and grist-mill on the place, run by water at certain seasons of the year, also by steam when necessary. The estate thus has facilities to supply all building-materials requisite on the place. There are three quarries of excellent building-stone and timber of all kinds, including a fine supply of that most excellent timber, the walnut.

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History of Davidson County, Tennessee, with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 111

Author: Clayton, W. W. (W. Woodford) Publication date: 1880 Publisher: Philadelphia, J.W. Lewis & Co. Number of Pages: 1013

Author: Clayton, W. W. (W. Woodford)
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Philadelphia, J.W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1013