The Findlay Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Hancock County, Ohio) 1870-1881, 1872-01-12

WEen lie went home he was asset
what excuse he could offer Tor 81
doing His oply reply was, 81 hav,
no excuse-I don't expect otfice any
MORE" and he went into politics
retirement
DowTY UTTER.
From the same district, but moi
from the same county, some years
before the election OF Mr.. Evans, was
Senator who, in his day, had .
State wide fame. Old-time iegisla-
tors, when they meet and talk OF the
past and of tLoss who served in the
old State House, always speak OF
| Dowty Utter. No man for good
sterling sense and honesty stood
higher than Colonel Utter. Ifnature
ever made a noble man, he would
have ranked as prince, at least.
His great experience as legislator
his knowledge of the wants and
wishes Of his constituents, and his
familiarity with the finances of the
State, despite his defective education,
made him valuable member. In
the strict sense of the term, he was q
partisan of the straitest sect-a Dem
ocrat that always voted the ticket as
it was printed, and in the Legislature
was ever ready to defend Democratic
men and measures. And this he
would do in all sincerity, for, judging
others by bimself, he could not con-
ceive how Democrat could be dis
honest or how any Wing measure
could advance the interest of the
people as we'll as those that emanated
from the Democracy. A measure
coming from Democrat tha. he con-
ceived wrong, Dowty Utter, by some
means or other, managed to get
abandoned, for to save the party
from perdition he would not give
vote that his conscience told him was
wrong. His denunciation OF the
luckless Democrat that made move
in a wrong direction was terrible, but
it was never made in the presence of
Wings. Notwithstanding his intense
partisan feelings, Dowty Utter was
always on good terms and ever pop
ular with Whig members. He had
but three great faults, if indeed they
all could be called faults. He was a
confirmed euchre player, an inveter
ate chewer Of tobacco, and when
vexed, terrible swearer. He never
gambled, unless it was for plate of
oysters, never swore except to a
Whig for abusing the Democratic
party, or 10 Democrat for being, TO
use his own language. "a d-d
foCl." But tobacco he would chew
On all occasions, twice the quantity,
when he was angry, that would suf-
fee him when he ives in better hu-
humor
In his speeches, Colonel Utter
would mangle the English language
q. fearful rate, and violate the rules
Of grammar with impunity, and yet
have heard sentences fall from his
lips of exceeding eloquence and
purest English. His speeches, when
not full OF invective against Wing
Or bad measure, were always rich
in thought.
There was at all times q humor
about the man that made the compsy
Of Col Utter desirable. His fund of
anecdotes seemed almost lnexhausta-
BILE and everywhere he was favorite.
An anecdote in which the mention OF
his humor and his murder of the Kings
to omind, created much
sport al, the time, Colonel Samuel Span
ylerof Fairfield had served near life
lime in the Senate, and was looked up
on as almost the father of that body.
Like Colonel Utter, the benefits of an
early education were denied him,
End he, too INDUCED occasionally in
he use of provincialisms, which a
better education would have correct
ed. A Till was pending in the Sen
ate which Colonel Spangler opposed.
In controverting the position taken
by a member from Southern Ohio,
Ihst all the people of that region were
anxious fer it's passage, Col. Spang-
er said that the Senator from Ger
mont had told him with his own mouth
that he ''didn't care hate about it,
Colonel Utter, whose seat was near
hat of Colonel Spangler, was heard
% say in low Whisper, "D-ed lie"
Colonel Spangler, turning and facing ,
Utter, said with a strong emphasis,
Il say that the Senator from Clermont
lid say these words to me-" I'D ID ;
lie :" repeated Colonel Utter. By
his time Colonel Spangler was more
han Gghting mad-and only the rev.
erence in which he held the Senate
Chamber kept him from the resenting ,
he fancied insult. Clenching his
list and shaking it at the Clermont ,
Senator, he again repeated that Col.
Utter had used the language attribu-
ed to him. By this time the men, ,
,ers, anticipating trouble between two !
,f the oldest and most respected men, !
bers, gathered around the disputauts,
aud Colonel Utter arose and address !
ng the presiding officer said: 81
lever said any such a thing, Mr..
Speaker. l told the Senator FAIR
ield that didn't care n continental ;
IN about the bill but sir l new .
lsed the word hate 80 improperly in ,
Ill my lite" One universal roar of !
If laughter that seemed to shake the .
I'D Senate Chamber greeted this effort ,
,f Dowty Utter's to criticise the bad ;
anguge of Colonel Spangler or ,
course Colonel Spangler enjoyed th e .
oke as well as any of the other mem.
Der.
UTTER HERO IN HIS WAY. ,
Au arecdote OF Colonel Utter, told !
ne by the Hon French W. Thornhill, ,
ate Speaker Of the House of Repre- ,
will illustrate a trait OF .
rarely found among men. :
Colonel Utter and Mr.. Thornhill,
while members of the Senate, roomed .
ogether at the American Hotel. In ,
his linen one morning, Mr.. ,
rhornhill noticed deep scar, as If a /
considerable portion of skin had been :
,0rn away from near the left shoulder !
If Colonel Utter. Irquiring into the /,
rigin ofthe scar, Utter briefly told him
hat he was on steamboat that blew
Up and that portion of the boiler
struck him. Saying this, Colonel Ut
.er Immediately changed the conver.
;ation, showing such an evident dis
ike of talking about the matter that |