BRINGING LETTERS. 



Sketch of Dr. Wm. Key's Life. 



Wm. Key was born in Winchester, Tenn., sixty-five years ago, and 

 was named after his master, John W. Key, a well-known planter of 

 Shelbyville, Tenn. In his early years he had a great fondness for the 

 animals. Ever kind to them, and many a poor dog or a worried cat 

 was he the defender of on the old plantation. They tell a story that 

 when Bill Key, as he was called, was six years old, he had a rooster 

 and a yellow dog that would do wonderful things. His entry into the 

 barnyard was the signal for a general commotion, for all the animals, 

 big and little, seemed to recognize in him a friend. If a colt was to be 

 broken Bill was sent for by the neighbors for miles around, for he did 

 it by kindness. He would take the wild, frightened colt up to his 

 master's farm, and in a week's time by his gentle, patient care would 

 return him ready to ride or drive. So remarkable was his success with 

 balking and kicking mules, in which he took a special pride, that the 

 "colored population" used to say he bewitched them. Uncle Bill is a 

 mulatto and a veterinary surgeon. Born a slave, he was one of those 

 fortunate men who had a kind master, and when the war clouds began 

 to hover over the Southland and his master's sons left home to defend 

 their cause. Uncle Bill went with them "to look after his young mas- 

 ters," as he states. 



"They just went with Gen. Palmer's at Murfreesborough, Tenn. 

 1 heir company was called the Festerville Guards, Captain Webb." 



Asked why he went into the army instead of seeking his freedom, he 

 said: "I loved my young marsters. I was afraid they would get killed 

 or not .have anything to eat, so I went with them." "And did you keep 

 them from being killed?" the reporter asked him. "Yes, sir. We was 

 at Fort Donaldson, Tenn., and when the Yankees captured us I stole 

 them out of prison and took them into the rebel lines." 



