iting his _Chronicles of Border
Warfare_.

The publisher, Joseph Israel, who took a deep interest in the work, as
his "Advertisement" of it suggests, must have realized ample
recompense for the work, as he had subscribers for the full edition
issued; yet, from some cause, he failed pecuniarily, and Mr. Withers
got nothing whatever for his diligence and labor in producing it, save
two or three copies of the work itself. He used to say, that had he
published the volume himself, he would have made it much more
complete, and better in every way; for he was hampered, limited, and
hurried--often correcting proof of the early, while writing the later
chapters. Mr. Israel, the publisher, died several years ago.

After this worthy but unremunerative labor, Mr. Withers turned his
attention to Missouri for a suitable home for his old age. He was
disappointed in his visit to that new state, as the richer portions
of the country, where he would have located, were more or less
unhealthy. So he returned to West Virginia, and settled near
Weston, a fine, healthful region of hills and valleys, where he
engaged in agricultural pursuits, in which he always took a deep
interest. He also served several years as a magistrate, the only
public position he ever filled.

The death of his wife in September, 1853, broke sadly into his
domestic enjoyments; his family were now scattered, and his home was
henceforward made with his eldest daughter, Mrs. Jennet S. Tavenner,
and her husband, Thomas Tavenner, who in 1861 removed to a home
adjoining Parkersburg, in West Virginia. Here our author lived a
retired, studious life, until his death, which occurred, after a few
days' illness, January 23, 1865, in the seventy-third year of his
age.

Mr. Withers had no talent for the acquisition of wealth; but he met
with marked success in acquiring knowledge. He was an admirer of
ancient literature, and to his last days read the Greek classics in
the original. A rare scholar, a lover of books, his tastes were
eminently domestic; he was, from his nature, much secluded from the
busy world around him. Nearly six feet high, rather portly and
dignified, as is shown by his portrait, taken when he was about sixty
years of age--he was kind and obliging to all, and emphatically a true
Virginia gentleman of the old school. His sympathies during the War of
Secession, were strongly in favor of the Union cause, the happy
termination of which he did not live to witness.