Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1854-05-17

81" What in old Virginia e., a
" The same" -...
I" How on earth did you get here 2"
" 1 landed at Green river from broad
horn" ta7 ..a tea Esa1s Es
And where are your companions ?'
have none" -5-r,., ,.-rt s.g,
"Where are you going ?"
"Any where"
&c What have you come here for ?''
.as" To hunt. '.ls Yau4.1 aa .a=a.
"Well,' cried the other, laughing
'you'll make real hunter, there's no
mistaking that But come, go HON e
with me my name is Bill Smithers; !
live not far off; stay with me little while
and I'll teach you how to hunt"
This was his first introduction into
hunting life. He soon became expert in
wood craft and was a great favorite
among the hardy hunters of Kentucky
He remained among them, until, from
the influx of population, game became
scarce and, until, probably he had -sa-
tisfied his hunting humor. He now be-
gan to think he was fit for something
better than to carry a gun on his shout
der day after day. dodging about after
bears, deers and other brute beasts. He
called to mind his boyish boast, never to
return home until he returned a member
of Congress from Kentucky. Was this
the way to ct himself for occupying such
a station E#1-ie
He determined on becoming lawyer.
1t is true he knew almost nothing, having
left school before he had learned the
rule of three. Never mind" said he
to himself, i" 1 am terrible fellow to
hang on to anything when I've once
made up my mind; and if a man has but
ordinary capacity, and will set to work
with heart and soul, and stick to it, he
can do almost anything"
We forbear to 60 into the details of his
preparations for the bar, and his first
launch into the profession. The same
spirit that brought him on foot to Ken
lucky and made a huntsman of him, car
ried him on his new career. EIe was ad-
mtted to the bar just as he was crossing
the threshold of manhood. The county
town where the court was sitting, was
thronged with country people. He was
a stranger there an incident made him
a home as he entered the room of the inn.
where there was some noise and drinking;
he saw rough bully who was partly in
toxicated, strike an old man. Duyal
knocked him down and kicked him into
the street. In moment he had dozen
rough shakes of the hand and invitations
to drink, and found himself quite a per-
sonage in the rough assembly.
The next morning the court opened
He took his seat among the lawyers as a
mere spectator. A man was to be tried
for passing counterfeit money. He had
no lawyer and was told to choose one.-
He looked around the court and choose
Duval The latter was astonished at be-
ing chosen; he, beardless youngster.
unpractised at the bar, perfectly unknown.
His defense of his client was a perfect hit;
that and the kicking of the bully out Of
doors, set him up in business. Suits
crowded in upon him, and he soon be-
came eminent in his profession, especially
in the branch of criminal law.
In 1879 he signaized himself in ano.
Lher capacity, commanding company of
Kentucky mounted volunteers. and pro-
tecting the frontier settlements Of the
Wabash from the murderous inroads of
the savages. Whilst abroad from home
on this service he was elected by his
neighbors to represent them in Congress.
Here was the realization of his boyish
boast; he mi ght now return with honest
pride to his paternal home. He had pro-
we'd that he was not the tail end Of his
family
AS member of Congress he acquitted
himself with ability and credit; but, after
a time. retired voluntarily from political
life, and resumed his profession. He was
now appointed judge in the coasts of Flo
rida. and subsequently Governor of that
Territory. Here he was er offcio Super
intendent of Indian Affairs, witch he ad
ministered with great judgment aud hu-
manity. He appreciated the daring and
heroic characteristics of some of Florida S
gained their confidence. and
exercised surprising influence over their
tribes. He resigned this Office of his
own accord, after filling it for twelve
years.
Most of his children having settled in
Texas, he was persuaded Eve or six
years since to remove to that State. Bu-
siness recently brought him to Wash
ington, where he was attacked by paraly-
sis, which ultimately was the cause of
his death when about seventy years OF
age. .-.-
Fewmen who have led such varied
life, have left behind SO pure and spotless
a name. His public services, and the
integrity and ability with which he &C.
quilted himself in public trust are widely
known. His dauntless courage. too, has
been proved on various occasions. But
it is among his intimates that his loss will
be more especially lamented; among
those who delighted in his simple unaf-
fected goodness, his genial humor. his
devoted and unwavering friendship. in