The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1871-06-24
Death of c. L. vallandighan.

AID that the wound was probably fatal Next
days Chicago papers brought sad confirmation
Of the truth of the report, and the evening |
papers en- Saturday brought the mournful in
telIigence of his death. The papers since |
then have been very voluminous in details of
the accident, from which we cOndense the
IL in facts.
Vallandigham had been called to Lebanon
as one OF the counsel engaged in the defence
OF Thomas Mcclellan, on TRIAL for the murder |
of man named Myers. The trial had pro-
ceeded through the evidence, and the chief
prosecutor had made his opening speech, in
which he strongly combatted the theory of
the defence, which was, that the murdered
man had shot himself, the prosecutor relying
on the fact that the clothing where the bullet
entered showed no powder stains, winch must
have been the case had the man shot himself.
In the evening, after tea Vallandigham pro.
cured piece OF muslin of the landlord at the
hotel where he was stopping, and taking a
loaded pistol, proceeded with some friends to
the edge of town, where several shots were
fred through the muslin at few inches dis.
lance, to test the argument that it must show
powder marks. The Test proved satisfactory,
and Mr.. " and his friends returned TO his
room at the hotel. Here the conversation
still running on the manner in which the man
Meyers had shot himself, Mr.. V. picked up
pistol from the tablc-Ohere were two lying
there one loaded and the other not put 1t
il his pocket and drew it out to show how
Meyers had shot himself. Unhappliy, he had
taken the loaded pistol, and as he jerked it
out, il went Off the ball passing obliquely
downward into his abdomen, and inhictlng a
fatal wound. Mr. V. fingered in great pain
he died. Meantime his son and other rela-
tives were telegraphed to, and arrived in time
to witness his dissolution. His wife had been
summoned but a few days before to Cumber-
land Md, to attend the funeral of her broth.
er, and of course was crushed by the news
OF this double atGiction. The remains were
taken to Dayton, Ohio, for intcrment, where
the funeral teek place on Monday, his wife
meantime having returned from Md.
Mr.. Nalandigham was descended from
highly respectable Huguenot family. He was
born in New Lisbon, Columbia county, Ohio,
in 1922 and was consequently in the forty
ninth year of his age. His education was good,
and was graduated at Jefferson college, in his
native State. After leaving college, he was
selected princpa! of a college in Maryland,
where he spent two years. Returning to Ohio,
Ill lS40, he was admitted to the bar in l842,
and shortly acquired considerable practice.
In 1915 and &c he served in the State Legi.la-
lure. During the period Of several years
from 1S4I he had charge OF the Dayton En-
qatrCr herein be showed great ability and
knowledge of political questions Subse.
quently he pursued the practice of his pro.
lesson, and acquired large reputation as one
Of the leading lawyers of Ohio. Naturally,
he took part in politics, and became prominent
as one CT the most consistent and earnest
members of the democratic party. Character
istically impetuous,. land Of strong will, he was
bold and advanced in his opinions, and seme-
what impracticabe. But no one ever accused
him of Inconsistency, or questioned his hon
esty.
IN 1856 he was a member Of the National
Democratic Convention at Cincinnati, in which
assemblage he was recognized as leader.
From 1851 to 1858 he served in Congress with
distinction, bringing down upon himself in
the last named year the heavy hand of that
unlawful arbitrary power with which the ma.
tional executive, under ths questionable plea
OF necessity, had clothed itself during the TO-
beon-an assumption OF power which Mr..
Y. unsparipgy denounced as crime no less
fragrant and objectionable than the rebellion
itself. The restless energy and singing force
with which lie combatted these executive
usurpations goaded the war department into
the criminal folly of having Mr.. V. arrested,
tried by a drumhead court martial, and ban
ished to the South The history of that shame
less persecution was equalled in barbarity
only by the murder Of Mrs. Surratt. Mr. ",
however, did not remain long In banshment.
N few months lie returned to Ohio by way
81 Canada. and the administration thereafter
was quite content TO let him alone.
During bis banishment, The Democrats nom.
i'm. . Linn as their candidate for Governor
~o..h 1ugh he was defeated by 100000 votes
inc received larger vote than any successful