The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1876-12-23
MEM ORAL.
Tributes to the Memory of Hon.
Allen 7. Caperton,
Remarks of Hon. IL. &. Davis I'm the
Senate Chamber December2 II. 1876,
on The Death of Senator CapertOn.

fNthaThS III HON. IL -. Davis III the
Senate Chamber December FL. 1876.
on The Death Of Senator CaperIOn.
Mr.. PRESIDENT According to no
tice heretofore given, now submit two
resolutions, having tor their object the
furnishing Of an opportunity for the
Senate AID uyUso of Representatives to
bear testimony to the character and pub.
lie services of Allen T. Caperton, and
ask their present consideration:
EReSOLued, That as an additional mark
Of respect to the memory of Allen I.
CapertoD, late Senator from the State
of West Virginia, business be now sus-
pended that the friends and associates of
the deceased may pay fitting tribute to
his private and public virtues.
ResoLced, That the Secretary Of the
Senate communicate these resolutions to
the House of Representatives.
Nh. Presidents: The Senate is again
called on TO suspend its ordinary pro-
ceedings that it may in proper manner
mark its respect for my late colleague,
Allen L. Caperton, whose death 1t la
ments; and to testify to his private worth
ana puUllC MUGS, ohu S''N IN 4S'''oh
to Its sorrow.
Scarcely session of this body passes,
but it Is invaded by death, and some
familiar face-sOme associate lis summon
ed hence, and called to rest forever from
all earthly care.
In nv single term of service here, vet
incom plete, the painful duty now upon
us has been alas too frequently perform
ed!
We hsve followed to the grave and
shed the tears OF affection over some OF
the ablest and most distinguished men Of
our day and time.
Our late President OF the Senate, Vice
President Wilson, the nations and
people's friend; the learned and gifted
Sumner; ex. President johnson, self
taught and self. educated, who by force
of energy and native abilities hewed
his wav from the humblest walks OF life
M to the executive chair ofthe nation.
The patriot Governor Buckingham, the
amiable and atiectionate Ferry, and the
earnest. able and fearless Davis, all have
passed away.
In this instance it has fallen u the
lot OF West Virginia to mourn and
render up one of her ablest, best and
trueSt sons.
Towards the close of the last session OF
the Senate--prolonged as 1t was unto
the late summer-when the heat was
most oppressive, and fatigue and eXhaus-
ton rested upon all-atter but Prlei Ill
ness of organic disease OF the heart-on
the 10Th, day OF July last death found
Mr.. Caperton at his post of duty,
1t is not my purpose on this melancho.
" occasion to pronounce any studied
words of praise and commentator over
INV friend and dead colleague-believ-
inc that the best eulogy upon so noble
character will be the plain and simple
story OF his life.
Allen T. Caperton was descended from
an old Virginia family, and was born at
Union. Monroe county, Virginia, now
West Virginia. November 10th, 1917
His ancestors on the paternal side were
English and on the maternal Scotch;
commingling of nationalties that has
produced some of the greatest men oil
our country. His great grand parents
ON both sides were an ongst the earliest
settlers on the head waters OF the Mana
wba then over-run by hostile Indians
and the fact that his grandmother was
centured by the savages, her infant chlld
hntcbered before her eyes, and she
detained in captivity for four years, Will
rive some idea ofthe courage 1t took and
The dangers that had to De encountered
in onenIng to civihzstion that fertile and
beautiful mountain region.
Huoh Capertou, the father of the late
Senator. was man OF great ability, h'gh
character, and commanding influence IN
,bo section of Virginia where he resided.
H. represented his district IN the
Tbirtaertb Congress, and was the lntl-
r,ste friend and admirer OF the great
statesmen. Clay, Webster, and other
leaders of the Wing party, to when nc
belonged. it, ou,;or wars
of his life at the home OF his iather' near
Union. and at that village received 'he
s,4;,nent. of his education. AT the age
-, tnnr,een he went to Huntsville, Ala,
- ottend school, making the long Jour
NV ON horseback, in company with an
L. brother. He afterwards attended
tho University of Virginia, ana com
'Io.od his education at Yale College IN
foQ3 rraduating seventh In a class OF
60 .brae ut the age of twenty-five.
In collage, as in after life, he WAS
"a g., his studiOus habits, industry
ond GOOD department. Though modes: :
an6 Reserved, he was popular WIN MS
anu and beloved and es-
teemed by his professors; ,,., J.. -,
Alter leaving college he studied ia"
under the late Judge Brlscoe baluT'n,
Of S,aurton, Virginia, was admiILeu W
~ hor in 1884, and commenced the
nroc,ice of his profession at his naive
pawn His natural ability, eIoquence ana
sIoso attention to business soon secureu
far him a prominent position as a Jaw
NV and his practice rapidly EXTENDED
:?,obout the southwestern portion oi
.To,ete He was not, however, long
n smT to confne himself solely 10 us
pprnfpssional duties, but IN ioil' az tno
iP"I;o;tstion of his friends and nelghoors,
bn Took mart in politics, and was elected
80 tho House of Delegates OF virginia
and in 1914 to the Senate, AFTER "hlon
mill 1860 he was at various 'ilnoe
member of both houses of the oiate leets
iatnre. In 1S4S he was a member ot .nS
Nstionsl Convention that nomii'a'eu
President Taylor. ..o of
Although called to the legislature a. ..
on early age and at time when some y.
a. abIest and most brilliant men OF Tue
S,ste we're members, he soon advanced