The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1876-12-23

III WulCu uC tAs So. 40
deared to all classes and in the long pro,
4 cesslon of relatives, friends and neigh
bors that followed his remains TO thell
last resting place, amongst the grle'
stricken and those who stood nearest the
grave, we're some of his former slaves.
Although cut off in the midst OF bis
usefulness and at time when he could
apparently do the most good for bis
country and State, we bow with better
submission to this dispensation OF Dr.
vine Providence, believing and knowing
that society, the time and the age were
better for his having lived.
Remarks OF Hon Frank Hereford
In the House OF Representatives.
Mr.. SPEAkER-For the first time
since the State of West Virginia was
| organized as separate State, are we
called upon 10 mourn the death OF one OF
her representatives. in the national coun-
ellis.
We are told in the sacred writings that
sit is better to go to the house OF mourn
ing than the house of feasting, for that Is
the end OF all men, and the living will
Law it TO hi; heart" May it prove SO in
this instance May we lay this vista
ton of Divine Providence to our hearts
and leave this hall better men, better
citizens and better Legislators, legislating
for the whole country and its continued
peace.
Allen Taylor Caperton is no more.
He was born in Union, Monroe county,
Virginia NOW West Virginia., Novem-
Der II, 1910. After having attended the
schools in his native village, he went to
the University of Virginia, and then to
Yale College, graduating with honor
at the latter institution in
1889 after which, he studied law
with Judge Briscoc G. Baldwin, at
Stanton, Virginia. He was admitted
to the bar, and up to the time OF his
| death practiced his profession, in his
native county, and several adjoining
counties Having all the advantages OF
thorough education, and being OF
studous habits, and fond Of his profess
sion, he soon ranked among the very
ablest lawyers in the State.
He had a mind peculiarly adapted to
the law, its catholic spirit, the
broad principles of even and exact JUS
tice, he found in the pages Of his law
library, were in perfect consonance with
his own nature. His lofty spirit dis
dalned the acts Of the pettyfogger, In
his practice, he was never guilty of
deceptions. He deceived neither client,
court nor jury, retaining to the last, the
confidence and respect OF each, he took
peculiar delight in the companlonship of
his brother members of the bar.as all can
attest, who ever met him professionally or
under his hospitable root but he did not
confne himself exclusive to the labors OF
his profession. He took great interest in
developing the material Interests, the
agricultural and mineral resources OF his
State. He was director of the james
river and Kanawha canal, in which he
took great interest up to the time of his
death, he had great and life long de-
sire to see, by the construction OF this
magnificent work, the waters or the
mighty West connected with those Of the
East He was for several years MEM
Der of the State House Of Delegates, and
OF the State Senate of Virginia. his last
Senatorial term being from 1859 to 1860
During his service in the Legislature, en-
abled rs he was by his store of knowl-
edge. he assisted very materially in
moulding the code Of laws Of that State.
He was also member of the ConStitu-
tional Convention OF that State in 1861.
At the breaking out of the late war, he
was originally opposed to extreme
hnlI ~
others, that the rights they
claimed could be, more certainly, OBJ
taned by battling for the right, within
the Union. Yet when his state decided
otherwise, he followed.
During the war he was elected TO the
Confederate Senate, which position he
held Mt the close thereof. As soon as
hostilities ceased, he turned his face to
the future, and from that time to the day
of his death did all in his power to re-
store peace, harmony and trstGrnal feel
ing to this distressed land.
As long rs the Wing party was in ex
istcnce, he was one OF its strongest and
ablest supporters He defended its prin-
ciples and devoted himself 10 its success
with knightly courage and devotion. OFT
and again in easlier days, has his manly
form been seen going along valley and
over mountain heights Tor the purpose OF
addressing his felow-citzans, in stirring
and eloquent appeals to rally to the stan
dard of Henry Clay, and whenever the
white plume of his great Captain, Harry
of tue West, was seen, there was he.
On February II, 1875, after pro-
tracted struggle, he was elected to the
United States Senate, TO succeed Arthur
|. Boreman.
How short his career in that theatre!
Truly hath the wise man said, Boast nOl
thyself of tomorrow, for thou knOwesL
not what day may bring forth"
During the last session of Congress
we had rooms in the same building, and
il was my fortune to see more OF him IN
his last sickness than any other person.
1t was my let and sad pleasure to minis
ter to his varied wants in his last days on
earth.
His sutTerings, VI times, was very great,
after which he was easy and even cheer
full. He bore his paroNysms OF sutferlngs
with heroic fortitude, never repnlng. A
short time before the critical moment his
ONLY son and eldest daughter. with other
relations, were summoned to his bedside,
his noble and devoted wife being too
feeble t. travel. He WAS not aware that
his end was so near.
On the last morning of his existence,
thoughtful rs he always was, of the
pleasure of others, he suggested to his
SON and another gentleman, near and
dear TO him. who was in attendance, to
90 to the Hall of the House of Repre-
seDtatrves to hear certain discussion
that was to take place in which he felt a
great interest. They yielded to his
request and only returned an hour or
two before he had another and his last
paroxvism. About o'clock P. NJ, of
that day, July Doth, 1876, he was sitting
up his bed conversing with his son. All
at once, he said, quickly to him, "ralse
that window" which was done and he
Immediately expired.
Raise that window" How typical!
| How suggestive! As the window Of the