1903-04 Volume 28 No 1–5 - Phi Delta Theta Scroll Archive

THE SCROLL. 519its alumni councillors in recent years. This was made possi"ble by his duties as a trustee of Ohio University, in whichcapacity he was serving at the time of his death. At dinnersand reunions at Cincinnati, Bro. Bundy was one of the faithfulwhose presence could always be counted upon, and whosewit and wisdom contributed to the enjoyment of the occasion.His sad demise was noted with suitable resolutions bythe Cincinnati alumni club.J. E. BROWN.•BARTON HAXAUi WISE!. TIBGTNIA, '87.A brilliant and noble-hearted Phi Delta Theta was BartonHaxall Wise, Virginia, '87, who died in Richmond on Feb.6, 1899. One of his colleagues of the Virginia Bar Associationhas thus eulogized him:His life was like that of many another young Virginian. Born in 1863,he went to several private schools in this state, notably, at Pampetike, wherehe had the inestimable privilege of coming under the influence of Col. andMrs. Thos. H. Carter; and there he formed bOyish friendships that lasted tothe end. Later he attended the University of Virginia, where he appliedhimself to law. The state of his mother's health caused him to travel extensivelyin Europe, and on his return to America^ he settled in New York,and engaged in a successful business venture. But the memory of his youthspent among the people and influence of this state was strong upon him. Hefelt that he was a part, a living, integral part of that commoawealth inwhose history and life his ancestors had taken such leading positions, andthe prospect of taking his place along with them in working with and forVirginia was more to him than greater material advantages gained elsewhere.To few is it vouchsafed to attain such a measure of success as that achievedby him.Thus in 1894, Mr. Wise returned to Richmond and formed a partnershipfor the practice of law with his cousin, the Hon. George D. Wise, in whichpursuit his ability was early recognized. But it is not upon his ability as alawyer that Mr. Wise's future reputation will rest. In the midst of hislabors at this profession he found time to prepare a truly remarkable biographyof his grandfather, Governor Henry A. Wise.The sincerity and truth of his nature was apparent in nothing more thanin his historical work. His aim was to deal with absolute impartiality andfearlessness with the subject he was discussing. And in spite of his ownpersonal love and admiration for his grandfather, in spite of his Southerntendencies and affiliations—in spite of everything—he sought the truth,freed of all bombast and superfluity, stripped of rhetoric and superlatives;and his search was not in vain.Virginia has glory enough to need no overstatement, and her loyal son.Barton H. Wise, has showed how one may moderately and yet forcefullywrite a biography of one whose character and whose life was bound up withthe councils, governments, and men of the most stirring period of our state'shistory.' It is no small thing to have one's first book called "The bestbiography that has yet appeared of any character on either side during thecivil war." (See N. Y. Times.) And the Nation says: "Mr. BartonHaxall Wise, the biographer, was a young man, full of promise, who madehis grandfather's life a study of filial devotion, and died with the first proofsheets of the work upon his table.''