Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1871-06-24
The Death of the Hon. C. L. Val
landigham.

The sudden and accidental death of Hon.
Clement L. Yallandgbam, of Ohio, following
so closely upon the demise of his brotherin-in-
law, John Y. L. McMahon, Esq, viii excite
universal interest and general regret, notwith-
standing Mr. Yalandigham had many enemies
as well as strong friends. Mr.. Yallandigham
was preparing defense of one Mcclellan, a
man on trial at Lebanon, Ohio for the MUIR
der Of one Myers, and the accident which re-
suited so fatally occurred as follows:
Mr.. Yallandgham had adopted the theory
of suicide in the case, and was in q room with
Gov. McBurney, and while showing how
Myers might have shot himself, the pistol was
discharged, and the ball entered the right side
Of the abdomen, below the ribs. McBurney
had expressed some doubts as to the theory
that Myers had shot himself. Vallandigham
PICKED up a pistol from the table, saying he
would show him in half second. Two pis-
tolls were on the table, one unl0aded, and he,
/ by mistake, took up the loaded one, put it in
/ his pocket, and withdrew it, keeping the muz-
| zle next his body. Just as it was leaving his
/ pocket it was discharged, it is reported, at
| nearly the same part OF the body where Myers
was shot. He at once calculated, ooh, muir
der" and said he had taken the wrong pistol.
/ While the examination was going on he watch
ed the surgeons with eager eyes, and even as
sisted them in searching for the ball. The
ball appears to have taken a downward course
in the direction Of the bladder
Mr. Vallandgham died at eighteen minutes
to ten o'clock on Saturday morning last. His
wife had left Ohio on Friday for Maryland to
attend the funeral Of her brother, John Y. L.
McMahon, and was in Cumberland when the
distressing announcement of the sad occur
reuce was conveyed to her. Mr.. Vallandig-
ham was born in New Lisbon, Ohio, in 1922,
Of Huguenot descent. be was consequently
only forty-uine years Of age. lie graduated
at Jefferson College, Pennsylvania, and after
wards spent two years in Maryland as the
principal of an academy at Snow Hill, Wor-
cester county. 1t was during this residence
in Maryland that he married Miss Mcmahon.
In 1910 Mr. Vallandigham returned to Ohio.
where he studied the law, and in two years
was admitted to the bar After this, his we'll
known political career began. lie was elect
cd to the State Legislature in lS45-46, and
from 1917 to lS49 he was editor of the Day
ton Enquirer. After this he devoted himself
to politics, was twice elected to Congress, and
became generally known as prominent poll
tcian
Shortly after the breaking out of the war he
took firm stand against the administration,
and became so fearless in his criticisms of It's
policy that he was exiled for time into the
Southern country, but he soon found his way
into Canada. During his absence he was nom
mated for Governor of Ohio, but was defeated.
He returned from the South in 1864. and was
made a delegate to the Chicago conyention.-
He was defeated as a delegate to the demo-
cratic convention of 1868, owing to his oppo-
sition to Pendlcton, who carried the State of
Ohio; but he went to New York, however,
where the convention was held and his friends
promising that he would not oppose Pendle-
ton openly in the convention, had a delegate
resign, and the vacancy was filed by the Sc
lection of Mr. Vallaudigham. He at once be-
came one Of the master spirits Of the conyen-
ton. Since the last presidential canvass Mr..
Vallondigham has taken but little part in poll
tics until recently, when tie whole political
world Of the country has been engrossed with
the so-called "new departure Of the Ohio
democracy, according with the Dayton speech
Of this prominent leader In person Mr.. VAL
laudigham was tall and slender, elegant and
accomplished in manner, and as lawyer he
had few superiors at the bar in Ohio or in the
country. His practice was large, and his emf
nence as an advocate kept him always promi-
neutly before the courts. In his death the bar
has lost one Of its most conspicuous members
and tie democratic party in the West one of
its bollest leaders baltimore Sun.