Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1854-04-29


school before he had learnt beyond The rule
Of three. "Never mind" said he 10 himself,
81 am terrible fellow for hanging on TO
any thing when I've once made up my mind
and If a man has bu, ordinary capacity, and
will set 10 work with heart and soul, and stick
to il, he can do almost anything. ~
We forbear 10 go into the detail OF his pre-
paraiions for the bar, and his frs, launch in
the profession. The same spirit that
had brough, him on foot to Kentucky and
made a hunlsman oI him carried him on
in his new career. He was admitted 10 the
bar jus, as he was crossing the threshold Of
mauhood. The county town where the court
was sitting was ,hronged by country people
He was stranger there; an incident made
him at home as he entered the public room
OF The inn, where there was some noise and
drinkingj he saw rough bully of fellow
who was partly intoxicated, strike all old
man. Duval Knocked him down and kicked
him into the street. 10 moment he had o
dozen rough shakes of the hand ard invita-
tons 10 drink; and found himself quite 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 10 be tried for passing
counterfeit money. He had no lawyer, ant
was told TO chose one He looked all around
the court aud selected Duval. The lartel
was astonished al being chosen; he beard
less youngs,er; unpractsed al The bar, per.
fecily unknown. His defence of his client
was a perfect hit; that and the kicking OF
the bully on, Of doors set him up in business
Suits crowded in upon him. and he soon be-
came ominent'in his profession, especially in
the branch of criminal law.
In 1912 he signalized himself in another
capacity, commanding a company of Ken
lucky mounted volunteers, and protecting the
frontier settlements in the valley of the Wa
bash from The murderous inroads of The saw
ages. Whilst abroad from home on this SER
vice he was elected by his neighbors TO re-
alzaion Of his boyish boast, he might now
return with honest pride TO his paternal home
! He had proved tha, he was no, the tsiail 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 court Of Florida, and
subsequently, Governor Of that Territory
Here he was an er c6eio Superintendent Of
Indian Affairs, which he administered with
great judgmen. and humanity. He appre-
cia,ed The daring and heroic characteristics
o. some of the Florida chieftans, 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, FIVE or six years
since, 10 remove 10 that Slate. Business re.
Gently brought him 10 Washington, where
he was attacked by paralysis, which ,nlii
maIeIy was the cause of his death, wher
about seventy years Of age.
Few men who have lead such varied
life have left behind so pure and spotess a
name His public services, and the integrity
and ability with which he acquitted himself
in his public trusts, are widely known; Hi:
daun,less courage, too, has been proved or
various Trying occasions. But it is among
his iniima,es that his loss will be more es
peeially lamenled; among those who de-
lighted in his simple, unaffected goodness
his genial humor, his devoted and unwaver
ing friendship, in The kind and generous
qualities Of his heart, and the manly indie
pendence OF his spirit. To such il will be
satisfaction 10 learn that throughout his lines
he was exempt from suffering, and although
nearly hopeless he was cheerful 10 the last
and as he closed his eyes in death smil,
played upon his venerable aud beloved coun
lenance, seeming 10 reflect good will 10 ih
world he was leaving and hopes of happie
state in that 10 which he was going.
In concluding This hasly sketch we canno
bui repeat the words with which il commen
ced-he was type OF the genuine American
charcleT.
published scyem years SINCE In sketch entitled "EXps
Tence of Ralph Hingwon" but which gave ineidents
the early hie ol Governor Duyal, taken from has ow
lips.