Col. T.F. TOON has been chosen by the Democrats of Columbus as the candidate for the House in the next General Assembly. He is in the prime of life, a man of genial qualities, of fine sense, an attractive speaker, and of great popularity with his people.  He has never been in public office.  Of his record as a soldier it is sufficient to say that he was among the first to volunteer, and became the Colonel of the 20th North Carolina Regiment, than which a braver regiment never went to battle.  He was commissioned a brigadier-general just before the war closed, but has been content with the title won and worn while he was the distinguished leader of his beloved regiment.

Source: Raleigh News and Observer, 15 September 1880. Page 2.