The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1881-06-08
AN ASSUMED NAME.
INCIDENTS IN THE LIFE OF GEORGIA
REFUGEE.

IN the spring Of 1876 there came to
Louisiana from Arkansas, a young man
of fine appearance, and located at Alex
andria, Parish Of Rapides, OH the Red
River. he had studied law, and had
been engaged for year or so in its
practice in Arkansas.
1t was necessary to prepare himself
for the practice in Louisiana that he
should read the civil law to some ex-
tent, together with the code of practice
of that State. For this purpose he en-
tered the office of Richard VIM, who,
though himself quite young, was al
ready eminent in his profession. This
youth, whose name was Brewer, was
retiring and reticent, attentive to his
studies and very soon made himself
useful to his prcceptor and quite popu-
lar. with the people of the village and
the Parish. At that time Alexandria
was quite a place of business, was the
Parish site and the commercial point
of a large district of the most fertile and
productive country in Louisiana. It
was, and is, the finest planting, section
of the West, and was then peopled by a
noble, wealthy and Intelligent popula-
ton. A generous hospitality charac-
terized the planters, who were nabobs
in wealth and princes in their noble
and exalted bearing; generous and un-
suspicious, they welcomed the stranger,
and opened their doors and their hearts
to every one who came and who wore
the stamp of a gentleman.
The upright department and close
application of young Brewer attracted
attention, and he was cordially well
coined to every house. He soon be-
came the especial favorite of Mr.. Vim,
who was the most influential citizen of
the village. VIM had married the
daughter of tie distinguished General
Walter Fl. Overton, who was originally
from Tennessee, and was at the time of
the invasion by the British forces in
the army of the United States, and was
in command at Fort st. Phillip, which
guards the river below New Orleans,
and effectually prevented the ascent of
the British feet in 1914 and 1915. At
the close of the war he retired from the
army and located on a plantation in
Rapides. He had grown wealthy and
his house was noble one, where q
princely hospitality was dispensed
His daughter, an only child had mar
ried Mr.. VIM, who himself was veal
thy. General Overton was the leader
in the society Of the Parish, and his
house the resort of every one. His in
fuence was paramount; his high intel
ligence, frank, generous and brave ma
ture, open-hearted and open-handed,
commanded not only respect but the
confidence and affection of the commu-
nity-indeed, of every one who came In
contact with him. In early life he had
been the pet of General Jackson, in his
native State, Tennessee, and under his
command in the army had maintained
his hold upon the affections Of the old
hero. Young Brewer so won upon the
confidence and esteem of the General
that lie became his especial favorite, and
his house his home.
As soon as Brewer was admitted to
the bar he was taken into partnership
by VIM, aud introduced to an extend
ed and profitable practice. He was de-
voted to business-active and prompt,
faithful to his clients, and upright in
his demeanor in all the relations of
life; social and genial in his manners,
ardent in his friendships and decided
in his convictions and opinions-withal
he evidenced most decided abilities;
with such qualities of heart and mind
he soon became a general favorite and
very prosperous. At the time of his
advent into the Parish, political parties
were pretty equally divided in the Par
ish and in the State, and a struggle was
active for supremacy between the
Wings and Democrats. General Over
ton and his son-in-law, VIM, were
both Tennesseeans, and both most ar
dent and active supporters of General