The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1871-06-22
Death of Hon. c. L. vallandigham.


The sudden and accidental death of
Hon. Clement l.. Vallandigham, of
Ohio, will excite universal interest aud
general regret Nr. Yallaudighpm was
preparing defense of Que Mcclellan,
mau on trial at Lebanon, Ohio, for the
murder of one Myers, and the accident
which resulted SO fatally occurred on
Friday, the 18th instant, as follows:
Mr.. Vallaudigham had adopted the
theory Of suicide in the case, and was
10 room with Gov. McBuruey, and
while showing how Myers might have
shot himself, the pistol was discharged,
aud the ball entered the right side of
the abdomen, below the ribs. McBur
ney had expressed some doubts as to
the theory that Myers had shot himself.
Vallaudigham picked up pistol from
the table, saying he would show him in
half second. Two pistols were on the
table, one unloaded, and he, by mistake,
took up the loaded one, put it in his
pocket, and withdrew it, keeping the
muzz!c next to 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 ejaculated, "Oh, murder" aud
said he had taken the wrong pistol.
While the examination was going on he
watched the surgeons with eager eyes,
aud even assisted them. in searching for
the ball The ball appears to have
taken a downward course in the dircc.
tion Of the bladder"
Mr.. Vallandingham died at eighteen
minutes to ten o'clock Saturday morning
last. His wife had left Ohio ON Friday
for Maryland to attend the funeral Of
her brother, john V. i. Mcmahon, aud
was in Cumberland when the distress.
ing announcement Of the sad occurrence
was conveyed to her. Mr. Vallandig.
ham was born in New Lisbon, Ohio, in
1922, Of Hugusnot descent lie was
consequently ouly iorly.uine years Of
age. He graduated at Jefferson Col
lege, Pennsylvania, aud afterwards spent
two years in Maryland as the principal
Of an academy az Snow Hill, Worcester
county. IL was ,duriug his residence
in Maryland that he married Miss Nc.
Mahon. 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. He was elected
to the State Legislature 10 1915 46, and
from 1847 to 1919 he was editor Of the
Dayton Enquirer. After this he dcvo.
ted himself to politics, was twice elected
to Congress, aud became generally known
us prominent politician. Shortly after
the breaking out Of the war he took
firm stand against the administration,
aud became SO fearless in his criticisms
of lis policy that he was exiIed for IL
time into the Southern country, but he
soon found his way into Canada. Du.
ring his absence he was nominated for
Governor Of Ohio, but was defeated.
lie returned from the South in 1864,
and was made delegate to the Chicago
convention. He was defeated as del.
egate TO the Democratic convention Of
1868, owing to his opposition to Pen
dleton, 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 Pendletou openly in the conven-
ton, had a delegate resign, aud the va.
cancy was filled by the selection of Mr..
Vallandigham lie at once became ono
Of the master spirits of the convention.
Since the last presidential canvass Mr..
Vallandigham has taken but little part
in politics until recently, when the
whole political world of the country has
been engrossed with the SO called NEW
departure" of the Ohio democracy, nc.
cording with the Dayton speech Of this
prominent leader. In person Mr.. Val
landigham was tall aud slender, elegant
and accomplished in manner, aud as a
lawyer he had few superiors at tho bar
in Ohio or 10 the country.