Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1873-02-06
IOWA IN WASHINGTON.
4 Bclknap Dinner Party II Honor Of
Gov, Lowe.


Gov, Lowe.
Correspondence Keokuk date Cisy.
/ learn that i few evenings since .
dinner party was given-at the "Ar-
lington"-by Secretary Beiknap, in
honor of Governor Lowe, ofyour State.
Fourteen gentlemen--all Iowans-
were seated. The dinner was good,
the spirits-not ardent-of the compa-
ny excellent, and the conversation in
structing, and of course, the social ell
joyment was exquisite. I think vio-
late no rule of etiquette by relating an
incident or two, which I am told &C.
Cured during the evening. The Sec
rotary rose aud related an episode in
the history of a young man who had
studied law, was admitted to the
Washington, District of Columbia,
Bar, started west for the purpose of Sc
curing location in which to practice
his profession, found his way to Keo-
kuk, Iowa, rented an Office, hangs out
his shinglc, and commenced to tcait for
clients, but the clients did not make
their appearance, notwithstanding he
continued to wait to receive them.
This was discouraging in the extreme.
was becoming somewhat desperate
In this dilemma he resolved to con-
suit some of the old citizens Of the
place. He selected gentleman whose
face indicated intelligence and kind
ness, and frankly told him his situa-
ton. The citizen listened to his state
ment with evident interest, and at its
conclusion told him that he had q
friend in the city who was q practi-
cling attorney to whom he would intro
ducc him, and perhaps he would take
him as q partner. The introduction
was given, the partnership formed,
"and," said the Secretary, "that was my
| first success in business, and now my
friends, want you to drink-watcr, OF
course--to John A. Graham and Ralph
r. Lowe-the citizen who gave me the
introduction, and the lawyer with
whom became partner"
| This called up Attorney General
Williams, to relate some of his early
experience of the far West. After
studying law, Mr.. Williams left the
State of New York to seek q fortune
in the West and he too found his way
to Keokuk. It is a remarkable fact
that all the great minds of the country
have been drawn to Keokuk, at one
time or another. The future Attor.
ney General, however, met with sad
misfortune while there by placing toe
much confidence in newly made ac-
| quaintance, who claimed also to hal
from the good State of New York
The result was that his supposed
friend dexteronsly got hold OF Mr.
Williams pocket book and made of
with it, thus leaving the young lawyc,
in strange land without cent Of
money in his pocket. But the same
energy was in him that afterwards
made him q Judge, a United Statet
Senator, member of the High joint
Commission, and United States Attor.
ney General; and by some means he
made his way to TT. Madison
where he intended to commence the
practice of his profession. At thai
| time your venerable friend, Daniel r.
Miller--now the Nestor OF the Iowa
Bar-was the leading member of the
profession at Fort Madison. Young
Williams called upon Mr.. Miller
frankly told him his situation, and
asked him to 60 his security for his
boarding until he could earn money tc
meet his expenses. OF course Miller
did it-that is just the kind of mar
he is. His large heart could not re,
fuse help, under such circumstances
1t was not long before Williams was
employed in case in which Miller
was the opposing counsel. William'
gained the case. A new firm was I'M
mediately announced to the people o
Lee county, Iowa-Miller & Williams