Monongalia mirror. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1855, 1854-04-15

became scarce; and until, probably, he
had satisfied the hunting humor. He
now hegan to think he was fit for some
thing better than to carry a gun on bis
shoulder day after day, dodging, about
after bears, deer, and other brute beasts
He called to mindihis boyish boast new
er to return homo until he returned a
member of Congress from Kentucky
Was this, the way to fit himself for such
a stalionl lji .Ii .5srI easiso Etr
He determined on becoming alawyer.
1t is true, he knew almost nothing, hav.
ing left school before he had learned
beyond the rule oflhree. Never mind,
said he to himself, | am q terrible tel.
low for hanging on to any thing when
I've once made up my mindi and if q
man has but ordinary capacity, and and will
set to work with heart and soul, and
stick to it he can do almost any thing.
We forbear 10 go into the detail oi his
preparations for the bar, and his first
launch in the profession. Tho same
spirit that had brought him on foot to
Kentucky and made a huntsman ofhlm
carried him on his new career. He was
admitted to the bar jus. as be was cross
ing the threshold of manhood. The
county town where the court was sitting
was throhged by country people. he
was stranger there; an incident made
him home as he entered the room OF
the inn, where there was some noise
and drinking; he saw rough bully Of
q fellow, who was partly intoxicated,
strike an old man. Duval knocked him
down aud kicked him into the street.
In, a moment he had dozen rough
shakes of the hand and invitations to
drink. and found himself quite q per-
sonage in the rough assembly. Jhd'
The next morning, the court opened.
He took his seat among the lawyers as
mere spectator. A man was to be
tried for passing counterfeit money
He had no lawyer and wastold to choose
one. He looked around the court and
selected sDusal. The latter was aston.
ished at being chosen; he, q beardless
youngster, ounpractised at. the bar, per-
fectly unknown, His defence of his
client was a perfect hit; that and the
Ikicking Of the bully out of doors set
him up in business. Suits crowded in
upon him, and he soon became eminent
in his profession, especially in the branch
Of criminal law. lre a.r..I,5,.l.
In 1912 he signalized himself in a.
mother capacity, commanding comPa-
ny of Kentucky mounted volunteers,
and protecting the frontier settlements
in the valley Of the Wabash from the
marderous inroads Of the savages.-
Whilst abroad from home on this SER
vice he was elected by his neighbors to
represent them in Congress. Here was
the realization Of his boyish boast; he
might now return with honest pride to
his pa,ernal home. Hehad provedthat
he was not tho tail end Of his family.
AS d member Of Congress he acqnit.
ted himself with ability and credit; but,
after time, retired voluntarily from
political life, and resumedhis profession
He was now appointed Judge in the
courts of Florida, and subsequently
Governor Of thai. Territory. Here he
was er e1fcio Superintendent Of Indian
Affairs, which he administered with
great Judgment and humanity. He ap-
preciated the daring and heroic charac-
tteristics Of some Of Florida's chieftains,
gained their confidence, and exercised
a surprising influence over their tribes.
He resigned this office Of his own ac-
cord, after filling it for twelve years. y,
Most of his children having sottled
in Texas, he was pursuaded, FIVE or six
years siuce, to remove to that State
Business recently broughthim to Wash.
Iington, where he was attacked by par
alysis, which ultimately was the cause
of his death when about seventy years
of age.
Few men who had led such varied
life have left behind so pure aud spotless
a name. His public services, and tho
integrity and ability with which he ac-
quilted himself in his public trusts, are
widely known. His dauntless courage,
too, has been proved on various trying
occasions. But tits among his intimates
that his loss will DO more especially la
mented; among those who delighted in
his simple, unaffected goodness, his &C.
nial .humorr, his devoted and unwuver-
ing friendship, in the kind and gener-
Gus qualities of his heart, and the man.
| ly Independence of his spirit. To osuch
it will be q satisfaction to learn that
throughout his illness he was exempt
from suffering, and although nearly help.
less he was cheerful to the lust; aud as
he closed his eyes in death smile play
ed upon his venerable and beloved eoun.
tenance, seeming to reflect good will
to the world he was leaving aud hopes
of a happier state in that to which he
was going. "a sai
cannot but repeat the words 8 with which
it com'rnniepced: he was type of the