The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1876-07-27

trary.
DEATH OF HON. ALLEN T. CAPER-
TON.
As will be seen by referring to our
telegrsphic columns, the Hon. ALLEN T.
CApERToN, one Of West Virginia's
United States Senators, died at Washing
ton yesterday, very suddenly. He was
one of our noblest and most honored
men, and though we'll advanced in life,
we can lily afford to spare him.
1t will be remembered that he was
elected over competing candidates by
our Legislature last February
year ago, after the settlement
of the Capital removal bill. Some three
weeks of the Legislatures time was oc-
cupied in ballotiRg for the various nom-
inees for the position. Among others
who were prominent candidates, were
the names OF ex-Gov. SAMUEL PRICE
and HENRY s. WALKER, Esq. The
fight was long and hard one, and, as
We have stated above, resulted in favor
of the deceased.
Some reference to his past history will
be of interest. He was the son of Hon.
HUGH CAPERToN, who represented the
Gresnbrier District, Old Virginia, in the
House of Representatives from 1918 to
1916, and died at Monroe county, Vlr-
gInia, February 9, 1s47. Mr.. CAPERToN
was born at Elmwood, the ancestral
home of his family, near Union, Mon.
roe county, West Va, November 2l,
1910. When elected he was in the
sixty-ffth year Of his age, but in ap.
pearance and vigor he would readily
be taken for a man of hfty-fve. He at
tended school IN Virginia, and Hunts
Vile, Alabama, the University Of Vir.
ginia, and graduated at Yale College,
when he was twenty-five years Of age.
He was number seven in q list Of fifty.
three of the graduating class of 1882. He
studied law with the late Judge BRIscoE
q. BALDWIN, at Staunton, Va. Mr..
CAPERToN aoon became prominent at
the bar of his section, and throughout
the State, for his purity of character,
clear intellect, sound judgment, and as
gentleman of large and liberal views. In
early life he took an active and patriotic
interest IN the enlightenment and mate
rial prosperity Of the State,
and in everything that would
rebound to her honor and glory in the
sisterhood of the States. He was elected
a director of the James River and
Ksnawha canal, and, on several occa-
sions, q member OF the House OF Delegates
and of the State Senate Of Virginia, his
last term in the Senate being from 1859
to 1860. He was elected TO the Consti-
tutionsl Convention of Virginia OF 1861,
and was opposed to the secession Of the
State, until the actual commencement OF
hostilities, when he cast his fortunes with
his State. Subsequently the Leg.
islature Of Virginia elected him
q member to the Confederate States
Senate, in which capacity he served until
the disruption OF the Coniederacy. After
the war he returned to his old home.
Being disfranchised, MIR. CApERToN took
no part in politics, but turned his ener-
gles 10 helping the people of Virginia to
recover, under adverse circumstan.
ces, from the prostration sttendent
upon the war, and largely aided in bring
ing the attention of capitalists and the
general public to the resources Of West
Virginia. In his election to the Senate
Of the United States, West Virginia
alike honored herself and one of her
noblest sons. He was a gentleman Of
culture, experience and strict integrity,
and thoroughly acquainted with the IN
terests and wants of the State, and his
death will be deeply regretted BY the cit
izens of West Virginia, whom he has so
faithfully served.