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��THE GRANITE MONTHLY.
��and professions. When he began to speak, all voices were hushed. It was the same grand old voice, with its fa- miliar ring, the same telling and forci- ble gestures, the same oratorical pow- er, with fun and anecdote alternating with the most solemn and pathetic passages, the same earnestness, and the same persuasive and convincing eloquence which so many had heard in former days from the same lips.
It was a scene never to be forgotten Idv those who were present ; and it did 'much good, the immediate effect be- ing to add many names to the roll of -enlistments.
He returned once more to Cali- fornia in the autumn of 1S62, and remained until 1S67, when he again returned to Keenc to spend the re- mainder of his days and to die in the town and in the house which he had loved so much.
In 1870 and 1S71, the voters of Keene again returned Gen. ^V^ilson to the general court. He was much in- terested in all the questions of the day, and especially in urging the im- portance of making an accurate topo- graphical map of the state, which he lived to see and enjoy.
He was always interested in educa- tion, and especially in young men who were anxious to obtain a liberal edu- cation. He aided many young men in their efforts to complete a success- ful course of stud)', and watched their progress with great interest. The writer of this paper is one of many who were so fortunate as to receive from him valuable aid and counsel in the way of obtaining an education.
He maintained to the last a firm hold upon the love and affections of
��the citizens of Keene and Peterbor- ough and the adjoining towns. Cae- sar and Napoleon were never more dearly loved by their veteran soldiers than the General was honored and respected by his fellow-citizens. Even the young men, who had only known him in his later years, shared this en- thusiasm. His name is applauded whenever mentioned at any public gathering.
In the autumn before his death, his many friends, desirous of testifying their love and esteem, procured a fine oil painting of the General, and form- ally presented it to the city of Keene, Nov. 13, 1879. The presentation ad- dress was by Gen. S. G. Griffin. The General was present, and, when intro- duced to the audience, made a grace- ful speech, in which he feelingly thanked his friends for the honor they had thus conferred upon him.
In the later years of his life, he ap- peared but little in public. For the first few years after his last return, he spoke in several towns of the county and vicinity, giving, in a familiar talk, a most interesting account of the state of California.
He was a conscientious, religious man, always attending divine service on the Lord's day when able to do so. He was the last survivor of the twelve who first signed the covenant of the Unitarian church in Keene, when the latter society separated from the old Congregational church of the town. He made a study of religious and phi- losophical subjects, and enjoyed con- verse upon such themes.
He was much afflicted with rheu- matic gout for the last few years of his life, but he seldom failed to receive
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