The Yazoo Democrat. [volume] (Yazoo City, Miss.) 1858-18??, 1860-07-14

Carolina, on the 18th of December. 1901
In 1904, the father emigrated to Kentucky
and settled in Henderson county. He had
the benefit of having sprung from revolution
airy stock, and if he learned little else, i'm
bibed many stirring lessons of patriotism
and its glorious results from the elders who
surrounded the bealthstone Of his boyhood
AT an early age he shifted for himself, and
entered the employ of Nathaniel Hart, Clerk
of the county Court. In 1916 he went
into Warwick county, Indiana, became a
clerk in mercantile house, married, in
1920, young girl of French and Irish ex
traction, and settled on the banks of the
Ohio, in Vanderburg county.
Young Lane soon became the man of the
people among whom he had cast his lot.
In 1922, then barely eligible, he was elect
ed to the Indiana Legislature, and took his
seat, to the astonishment of many older
worthless. Hon. Oliver II. Smith, a new
member likewise, and since a United States
Senator from 1887 to 1913, describes, in a
work recently published, the appearance of
Lane on the occasion. "The roll. calling
progressed as stood by the side Of the
clerk. The county of Vandcrburg and
Warwick 7 said the clerk. l saw advanc-
ing slender, freckled faced boy, in appear
ance eighteen or twenty years of age. !
marked his step as he came up to my side
and have often noticed bis air since, it was
General Joseph Lane, of Mexican and Ore,
gon fame in after years."
On the Ohio, Lane became extremely
popular as a good neighbor and man o.
enlarged hospitality. Near his dwelling
the river has a bar, which never fails Al
low water to dotain small feet of boats
Lanes farm house had ever its doors open
an invitation was extended to all to come
and help themselves, the host never consent
ing to receive remuneration, though hun
dreds have partakcn of his store AM
boatman on the river, says a reliable in
formant, felt himself. at liberty to take an,
Of his boats for temporary use without ask
ing. Such was Joseph Lane on his home
stead. Acquaintance with river life mad
!, him good pilot of the Ohio and Mississip
pi rivers, which gained him an additioua
need of respect from the "river men,"
As farmer, produce, dealer, and legislator
many years rolled over his head, every yea
adding to bis popularity as a man, both il
bis private and public capacity. lie wa
frequently rc~clccted by the people, an
continued to s(rve them at short interval
in either blunth of the Legislature, for
period of twenty four years.
Mr.. Lane Was fearless legislator alway
acting from a conscientious belief in th
truth of bis views, and following ther
up with spirit and undertaking vigilanc,
Those who arc best acquainted with tLi
/ portion of his career delight to dwell upo
a the zeal and tenacity with which he uphel
! the trusts confded to him and denounced
the wrongs which threatened to thwart hi
designs for good. lie is however, man {
deeds rather than words,-though he doe
e not lack the power to express his view
clearly and forcibly.
!, Never in favor of expediency, he was a
ways for what seemed right to him. Whe
it was tbought'tha indiana, overburdene
d with debt, would be compelled to rcpudiat
t the prospect of the disgrace Which woul
thereby result to the State aroused all b
indignant energies. He would not hear
, such thing. He felt it would bea di
grace to him as working-man with Ii
will and the strength to labor, to rcpudiat
. debt. What was it, then, TO State
y which he was one of the representatives
He toiled untiringly, to avert it and ha
the satisfaction of seeing lis efforts success
full
: In politics General Lane has always bee
Of the Jefferson and Jackson school. Poi
S sessing strong intellect, and a memory r,
!, tentive of facts and quick to use them, /
: has become thoroughly acquainted with ii
history and politics of the country. Nj
Yulse observes, che has written with b
plow and sword, and spoken by his deeds
and, though unused to the ornaments
j rhetoric and literature, he is neverthele,
$ powerful in debate, and especially we'll qua
flied in political and Presidential confic
on the stump to overwhelm the opponen
Of Democracy" He supported Jackson
1924, '2S and '32, gave his voice and enc
gies for Van Buren, in 1886 and 40, q
= long as the latter followed 'in the footstel
t of his illustrious predecessor" and wei
y for Polk in 1874 His activity and earnes
e ness were contagious, and could not but il
Q fuse into those about him, and into the pu
lie men Of tho State generally the spir
Z which had led him to so honorable prom
ipence.
r. In the Spring of 1916, the war commence
between the United States and Mexico, al
call was made upon Indiana for volunteer
Lane, then a member Of the State Senat
d Immediately resigned, and entered CAPITA
e Walkers company as private. He cho
= Walker as his commander, having a biz
opinion Of his bravcry,--an opinion whiO
that gallant officers conduct and death
s. Buena Vista completely justified. Wb
the regiment met at the rendezvous, M
y Albany, Joseph Lane was taken from {
ranks by the unanimous voice Of the me
Is and placed at the head as colonel; and
" very few days afterward he received--u
d sought and unexpected by him--a comm
: ton from President Polk as brigadier. &c
era. On the 9th Of July he wrote lett