The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1857-10-03
Gbaasbills 9aiIg SournaI.
An Extraordinary Man.


Among those lost on the Central
America, was Rufus A Lockwood for
merly a resident Of Lafayette in this
State. Agentleman we'll konwn through
out the Wabash Valley. for eccentricities
and genius. His family has resided till
recently in Lafayette, and his daughter
was educated at St. Mary's near Terre
Haute. The New York Herald gives
the following sketch of his life and char
acter:
r. A. Lockwood, Esq. attorney and
counsellor at law, Of San Francisco. Cal,
who was lost on board the Central Amer
lea, was q gentleman of uncommon abili-
ties and of great eccentricities He for
merly resided at lafayette, Indiana,
where he was engaged extensively in the
practice of his profession, and for a num-
ber Of years, stood at the head OF the bar.
The law firm in which he was a partner,
White & Lock kwood, is still kept up
there, no dissolution having taken place
until ! is recent melancholy death.
Having become disgusted, for some
reasons, with the courts of Indiana, Mr..
Lockwood enlisted in the army of the
United States, and served as private
during the Mexican wsr. He next
turned up in California, where he resum-
ed the practice of his profession, and
soon obtained large and lucrative prsc-
tice. Among his clients was the Dotori
Gus house of Palmer, Cook 8, Co, politi-
cal bankers. who paid him a salary OF
ten thousand dollars year for attend
ing 10 their matters. He was devoted to
business while that was on his mind
but like many other great men he had
keen relish for pleasure He was care
less OF money, and took little pains to
accumulate from mis- large income. AT
one time he became tired OF bis own
course of life in San Francisco, und mys-
teriously disappeared. His friends after
diligent search, found him slowed away
on board of a vessel lying in the bay,
bound for Australia. They protested
earnestly against his leaving, but all in
vain. Finding their yeInonstrances un.
needed, they finally objected to bis going
Off without funds. and insisted on supply
ing him with money. But, like Timon,
be spurned the yellow gift. lie threw
the gold into the sea, and took bis de-
parture. unattended by friend and pen.
niless. Arrived in Australia, he let him
selft to shepherd, and spent year in.
the primitive employment of David of
old, following the sheep and the ewes
big with young. He subsequently re-
turned to California, and at once resumed
his previous high position. lils friends,
and opponents all concurred in a pro
found estimate Of his abilities as law
yer. He was not only man Of re
intellectual culture, but also OF
great decision and frrnncss. He never
knew fear. When the first Vigilance
Committee were in the height OF their
suthoEty in California, he defended
prisoner charged with high crimes against
their illegal assumptions, and where
another would have quailed before their
wrath, he eloquently de
them and hurled defiance in
heir teeth.
Recently, when, through the long neg
ect OF Col. Fremont, and the unrathful-
ness and mismanagement of his agen s,
almost the whole population upon the
Narlposa were arrayed in opposition %
he enforcement Of his title, Mr. Lock-
wood WAS the man selected to 90 upon
he ground, and, in face of imminent dan.
ger. 10 assert and maintain the legal
lights Of the proprietor. He did not
shrink from the perilous task; but moved
It once on the property and took Up his
temporary residence there. In spite OF
he formidable odds against him he soon
succeeded, by sheer talent and judicious
In wrestling from jury of
themse Ives verdict in favor OF
joi. Fremont's title. This NAV Justly |
De regarded rs q proud professional tri- |
lmph. At one time he held the title to |
bout seven thousand acres Of the most
-aluable par. Of Mariposa, and 1t may
lave stood in his name at the time Of |
lis unlocked for death.
Mr.. Lockwood was counsel for the
claimants, who assert title to
good part of San Francisco, and his loss
t this time must prove very inconven
mt to that vast company, the stock OF
which is very largely owned in Phil
delphia. In personal appearance, Mr.
lockwood bore marked resemblance to
Benjamin Galbraith, Esq, of this city.
lie must have been, at the time of his
ecease, about fifty years OF age. His
Eife, two daughters, and son, were on !
oard the Central America with him, but
Tere all taken off and saved by brig
larine, Of Boston, and taken to Norfolk.
Mr.. Lock wood, who was lost, though
is family were all saved. was of the firm,
lockwood & Wallace, Lawyers, OF San
francisco, and was one of the ablest men
D the State. He was last seen when the
teamer went down, by Mr.. Aylze, strug-
ling in the water There was report
bat he locked himself up in his room
nd refused to bale out water, saying
hat he was ready to die; and that when
be brig was in sight he came out with
is life preserveIs on. Mrs. Mcneil says
hat he did work hard at baling, and
nat while lying exhausted on the cabin
oor, one (she thinks the capiatn) said
D him, 'you are an able-bodied man, :
,b>, don,t rnu uort o., and that ba ha |