It was rumored on Main street yesterday that a gentleman of
this city had recently received a letter from Virginia, containing the
information that Hon. Jim Williams, better known as Booby Williams, has for
several weeks past been a Lieutenant in Ashby’s Cavalry, and has already been
in two engagements against our forces.
This loyal (?) gentleman was a member of the Iowa Legislature, his term
of office expiring only 6 months ago. He
left here in the winter, for the purpose he said of settling up some business
in Virginia. Not returning as soon as
was expected the story was circulated that he was sick, and would come back as
soon as his health would permit. The
truth of the matter, however, turns out as above stated.
Booby was a warm admirer of the Herald and might also be said to have been an attaché of the establishment, for he frequently contributed to its
columns. His nom de plume was “Lex,” which was facetiously translated “Legs,” on
account of the great length of his underpinning. So devoted was he to the interest and welfare
of our cotemporary that upon an occasion when it was supposed that the safety
of the Herald office was threatened
by Capt. Stump’s company of unarmed volunteers, he paraded up and down fifth
street, with a pair of brass horse pistols in his hands, to the intense
amusement of about a dozen small boys.
He now continues to do the same service in the field, and the Herald here. – Dubuque Times.
– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport,
Iowa, Wednesday Morning, May 21,
1862, p. 2
