The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-04-07
JUDGE WILLIAM W. WICK.
The First Lawyer Who Located on
the Whitewater at Connersville.
His Autobiography Given to Texas Gen
tleman-Services in the Twenty-Fifth
CoDgress-Personal Anecdotes

But few men of early Indiana we're better
known than William Watson Wick. He
came to the State in 1920, being the first law
yer to locate in Connersville. and from that
time until 1857 he was almost continuously
in public life. He was a man of marked pc
culiarities. He had a sunny disposition, was
of genial nature, thoroughly understand
ing human nature, and knowing just what
to do TO maintain his hold upon the people
] cannot give better summary of his life, up
to 184S than the following letter written to a
Texas gentleman named Payne. Payne had
read one of Judge Wick's congressional
speeches, and was so impressed with its
quaint humor and ready wit that he wrote
the Hon. d. S. Kaufman, then in Congress-
asking about Judge Wick, and saying he
would like ITO know all about him." Mr.
Kaufman gave Judge Wick the letter, and
under date of June IL, 1s48, the Judge sent
Payne the following autobiography:
William W. Wick is a full-blooued Yankee,
though born in Cannensburg, Washington
county, Pennsylvania, Feb. %, 1876. In 1900
WIS father Presby terrain preacher settled in
the woods in the poorest township in the West
ern Reserve of Ohio, adjoining the Pennsylvania
State line. Here W. lived, ng to school, toll
dreams till the time OF his fathers death in 1914
He then renohnee,i all interest in his fathers
himself off. Till spring, 1916, he essayed to
'teacn the young idea how to shoot" in Wash
Ington county, Pennsylvania, when he de-
seconded the Mononguhela and Ohio in "broad
horn" to Cincinnati. He taught school and
studied. first medicine and then law, till Deem
Der, 1849; read chemistry principally By the
light of log-heaps in clearing, and law OF nights
and Sundays wrong far Sunday is con-
cernedl December, 1919, settled in Corners
srsfIa Ia 1axr 1a a,,6 lsfa
mother deed for his interest in his faith
er's real and personal estate. December,
Representatives of Indiana, and served till jan
nary, 1922 when he was chosen judge of new
circuit. just formed, and removed to Indianapo-
lis, where he has ever since resided In three
years he resigned the judgeship, because it was
btarving him, ana was chosen Secretary of State
SERVED four years-then chosen circuit prose-
putting attorney-then judge again. He has also
figured as Quartermaster general, and is now a
Brigadier. He has committed much folly in
holding offices, and only escapes the condemna-
Eion of his own Judgment in consideration Of the
fact that he was never green enough 10 accept a
changed his pOlitics-his party did not leave him
lie left it. I'm this he differs from most great
men1 In 1889 he was chosen an NJ. G, as a
Democrat, and successor to Colonel Klnnard,
who died from the blowing up of a steamboat
when On his way to Washington. Colonel K.
had been in Congress for some years. In 1943
and 1e47 W. was nominated and elected to Con-
gress. He was q candidate for Congress in 1881,
and got beat. Right. He once Clay can
was Democratic candidate for elec5or-sucoess-
full. Right.
In the intervals of the above engagements he
practiced law; never made much ut that; did not
know how TO scare and skin client. In 1921
he married a wife who died in 1882 He has a
son and daughter married, and five grandchil-
dren living. His youngest boy Ia third child and
al) went last year ''tO the elephant" a
private in the illinois volunteer RECOMMENDATION
he was near seventeen years of age. He went
without leave, but (good boy) he wrote for and
got leave after he was gone. He has acquired
and unasslsted by WIS name, has worked his
way. He is now clerk TO the depot quarter
master at the City of Mexico Says the climate
In Mexico is better than in Indiana, and that
the boys killed themselves drinking spirits, eat
ing Mexican fruits, and "cavorting." Wick has
committed much folly in his tme-the principal
Of which has been holding Offices, writing
rhymes, playing cards for money, and paying
other peoples debts--all which he abandoned
about the time he became Democrat.
At this present writing ". is ifty-two years
Of age; fair, a little fat, having increased since
Inch high, good COMPLEXION, portly-has been
called the best looking man about town-but
that was ten years age-not to be snerzed at
nova little gray-has had chills and fever. bill
ions attacks, and dyspepsia enough to kill
dozen common men, and has passed through
msfortunes sufficient to humble score OF or
binary specimens of human nature. His system
being sluggish, he takes sarsapGriila bitter,
sone No: in the morning, and takes glass or
Two of wine Or good at dinner when he can get
ft. He has acquired good deal of niscella-
neous knowledge, loves fun, looks serious, rises
early, WORKS much, ana mas q declQeO penchant
Tor light diet, humor, reading, business the
drama, music, fine horse, his gun, and
the woods. W. owes nothing, and were he to
die to-day his estate would inventory eight OF
nine hundred dollars He saves nothing of his
per diem and mileage, and yet has no vices to
run away with money. He takes no thought
for tomorrow" but relies upon the same good
Providence TO which he is debtor for all.
W. would advise young men to fear and trust
3od to cheat rogues, and deceive lntriguers by
being perfectly honest (ths mode miseads such
cattle effectuay), TO touch the glass lightly, TO
pocrisy and Federalism, to rather believe, fall
In with new philosophical and moral humbugs,
and to love woman too well to injure her. They
will thus be happy now, and will secure serenity
at tifty-two years of age, and thence onward.
This paper exhibits Judge Wick as he was
-warmhearted, humorous and improvident.
He truly said he took no thought for the
morrow.
In 1858 President Pierce appointed Judge
Wick postmaster at indianapolis. He served
full term of four years. and in 1857 was
superseded by John NJ Talbot. He was an
applicant for reappointment, and he took
his defeat sorely to heart In letter to
friend, under date of May 8, 1858, he thus
speaks of his retirement from effice:
I suppose my selfish interests in politics are
closed, and closed forever. My health, activity
and physical energies are much impaired by The
wear ana tear OF the last rev months. IL is the
first time in my life that have been constrained
TO feel CONSCIOUSNESS of exceeding wrong. neg
lect and injustice, accompanied by fraud and
dishonor. 1t came upon me unexpectedly, and
1t hurt badly. But no measure of age, i'll health
or disgust could make me careless of the fate of
the Democratic party.
After leaving the postoffice Judge Wick
resumed the practice of the law. Like most
men who forsake the law for public Office, he
found it hard to get back his legal business.
Others had taken his clients and now when
he sought to regain them they would not
come. But if the law was measurably closed
to him, the political field was open and as
he had always loved politics he did not par
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