The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1877-09-05

resident lawyer at the Hartford bar
BY no means the superior, il even thu
equal of Moses Cummings in education o.
intellect, Of small statue and stammer,
ing impedment in his speech, yet by thu
force of indomitable will and untirinl
industry, he finally rose TO wealth AM
distinction.
He came TO Hartford when quite q
youth, but not like too many young
lawyers of the present day, who consider
themselves full-grown when they get
their license signed, he was seldom seer
upon the streets, but remained a close
student. 1t was said to be a frequent oc'
currence when he was applied to 70,
legal advice, TO postpone his opinion I'M
til a future day, and during the interval
examine and scrutinize all the authors
ties in his reach. Thus he soon acquired
the reputation Of a safe and reliable adj
wiser. His devotion to his clients inter-
est was untIriug-ever ready TO fight to
the bitter end, either intellectually OF
physically, for success. Even the stam-
mering or halting that sometimes oc-
CURED in his delivery. he seemed to have
turned to his advantage. Like the pause
between the vivid lightning-fash and the
thunder-clap, his stammering seemed
but the gathering of an impassioned
burst of eloquence, which followed.
lie was also remarkably acute in his
judgment of human character; and dur.
ing the days Of our early practice, when
jurors were summoned Unfortunately
from the crowd. was celebrated for his
tact in selecting jurors. His devotion to
the interest of his clients, tact in select.
ing jurors and impassioned eloquence,
soon gave him fame as criminal law
yer. and it was not many years until he
acquired a lucrative practice.
lie took an active part in the war OF
1872, aud besides volunteering in several
cavelry excursions into the Indian terri
tory, he went with Governor Shelhy's
forces to Canada. The scene that &C.
CURED when the company was organized
for Ohio county, is still fresh in the
recollection of the author Of these
sketches. Ohio county was then mo
pent up. Utica" but was composed of
Nc Lean, Butler, Grsyson, Breckenridge.
Hancock and the whole of Davies, and
it seemed like all the men and boys were
assembled in town that day. After the
company was made up, it was formed
into line for the purpose Of electing Off
GERS. 1t was arranged that as each office
was to be filled, the candidates were to
march out in front OF the line and march
down it, each soldier following the man
of his choice. The captain was the
first to he elected Jas. Tyler. fine
looking specimen Of the Kentucky hun
ter, dressed in hunting shirt, was elected
without much opposition. The election
OF lieutenant was then announced, and
Thomson marched to the front, and
made speech full OF wit, humor and
patriotism. but did not get chance to
walk to the head of the line, for several
stout brawney volunteers broke rank,
reared him upon their shoulders, and
marched along the ranks, the whole OF
whom followed with shouts Of acclama>
ton.
When Shelby's army reached the lakes
it was necessary to leave most Of the
horses behind. A large peninsula af
forded them range and pasturage, by
placing sentinals across a narrow neck
OF land. 1t was necessary to detail men
to perform this important duty, and from
the confidence that the superior officers
had in Tyler's vigileuce and prudence,
his company was detailed for that pur-
pose; but Thomson was indignant at the
order, and resolved to follow the main
army as high private" Jumping into
baggage transport he reached the Can
ada shore. and although much troubled
with rheumatism, with which he was
more or less afflicted through life. he fol-
lowed the main army on foot. and was
the only soldier from Ohio county who
participated in the glory Of the battle OF
the Thames.
He was elected 10 the Legislature, and
served the session that Dayiess was
formed, and shortly afterwards removed
to Greensboro, the county being called
after 10 Daviess, and the town after
Owen, two heroes who fell fighting for
their country during the war of 1912.
Mr.. Thompson was by no means an
ffice-seeker, and was only once elected
to Congress, and was present when John
Q. Adams was elected by that body.
1t is the duty Of the biographer to
record IA well the failings as the virtues
of distinguished men; in order that their
failings may be Stunned, as well as their
virtues followed. Although the subject
Of this sketch had most of the qualities
that should txhalt men in society, he was
extremely high-tempered. hasty and ex.
citable, and when he conceived that he
had been insulted or injured, his temper
WAS perfectly ungovernable. This failing
grew with age. and besides several other
personal difficulties, led first to the al
most fatal duel between himself and
Triplett, and finally TO the fatal rencoun.
ter which resulted in his lamentable
death.
The deep, exciting anxiety expressed
at the result of his duel with Triplett,
and the intense gloom and sorrow
that his friends in Ohio heard Of hi:
death, proved that while citizen o
| their comfy he had merited theil