The Daily clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1866-1888, 1884-02-19
Benjamin King.

was nhtiNe OI tnlh Dthtc. ne was bpAu
at Cotton Gin Port, in Monroe county, on
the 9th day Of October, 1923.
His parents we're virginians by birth,
and his mothers maiden name was Le-
grand. She was Of Huguenot extraction.
The family removed TO Gallatin, in Copiah
county, and Benjamin, the youngest child,
was sent TO the University OF Virginia, from
whence he was recalled before finishing his
course by the death Of his father, and never
returned, owing TO the limited means Of
his widowed mother She, however, pos
sessed a strong mind and great force Of
character, and managed, unaided, not only
10 give her children such education as the
country schools afforded, but also accumu-
lated some property. At school Benjamin
was noted for his proficiency in the angua-
ges, mathematics and metaphysics and his
future eminenee was not nnforesesr and
predicted whilst he was Jet yoait
He began his business onsss NOR
chant at Gallatin, pussqna for
about four years, Outing Vic tiine be
established mott excellent charac-
ter, and formed an extensive acqualn-
lance. Meantime, however, he cher
ished the design of becoming lawyer,
and with characteristic zeal and
fIedness Of purpose prosecuted his pro
fessional studies during his hours of
leisure. At the end Of his four years Of
merchandising he found himself possessed
of moderate competence, and closing up
his store he sought and obtained admission
TO the bar.
He knew his vocation instinctiyely, and
in his best days was never 80 much Mt home
AZ in tho discussion Of difficult law ques-
tons before the courts, or the interviewer
web OF law and facts before the juries.
His jury speeches were plain, and abounded
in common sense, and every day illustra-
tons. His mind grasped the whole sub
joct in hand, and held every detail ready
for instant use. In these addresses he pur-
posely avoided the scholarly and polished
style. This is shown by the fact that as q
writer he was master of the purest and
strongest English. He was apt in the read
ing of human character, and understood
the people. He knew their relationships
opinions and prejudices, and used this
knowledge to great effect in the empanel-
ing Of juries. He possessed the rare gift
of making the public feel that his profess
sional services we're necessity.
As a lawyer he was successful in double
sense. He left behind him upon his retire
ment an enduring reputation rs counselor
and advocate, and quit the profession with
an independence in q pecuniary sense.
II was in 1869 that he published a card
announcing his retirement from the law
business, and he has since that time stead
lastly refused such employment. In the
same year he embarked in merchandising
at Beauregard, Miss, and up to the
time of his death has been chiefly engaged
in that business, and with his plantation on
Pearl river in Lawrence county.
In politics. in dnte-beihm days, col. King
was Clay Wing, and though on the weak
and defeated side, he always maintained
his principles with unHinching devotion
and courage. After the war closed he de-
voted himself to his private pursuits, but
took part occasionally in the politics of the
State He worked zealously with the Dem
ocratic party for the overthrow of the
Carpet Bag regime, calling himself 'vol-
unteer in those celebrated campaigns
In 1881 he became an Independent can
didate for Governor on the Fusion ticket
10 IL
known to make recapitulation interesting
here, Suffice it to say that in the memora-
BILE tour of joint discussions with his com
petitor, though in exceedingly feeble health,
he established lasting reputation as pc
litical debater.
He was member of the Secession Con-
vention of 1861, and twice a member of
the State Senate since the war, and was
colonel of regiment of State troops dur
ing the war; also served for time as lieu
tenant in the army of Northern Virginia.
He was married in 1916 TO Miss Eveline
Harris, daughter of DIR. Charles Harris,
who was brother of Judge Buckner Har-
ris. She survives him,
The immediate cause of his dissolution
was pneumonia, but he suffered from a com
plication of diseases which had kept him
in feeble condition for several years past.
He was attended in his last illness by Doc
tors j. w. Bennett, Joseph Benton and j.
A. Rowan, and his untimely end was soothed
by the sympathetic presence of his wife
and children.
The character of Benjamin King may be
briefly epitomined: He had powerful
mind, and indomitabe will. His individ-
uality was uncommonly marked. His pre-
dominant trait was independence self
reliance. He sought no favor or indulgence
from any man or set of men. He could
not tolerate the burden of obligation in the
sense Of favor extended. He gave himself
no rest until the weight was shifted. He
insisted on exchanging quid pro 90 il all
cases.
There was little of tho hero ~ per
in his composition. He was never zxled
or abashed by the glare of wealth 81 Off
cial station. Knowing that often the ele.
ment OF chance is a controlling factor In
the. advancement of men, he judged The
small and the great alike by their qualities
of head and heart.
His extreme aversion to syebphancy prob
ably carried him too far in the opposite
direction. But If he nodded with the cool
est indifference to the great, he bent his
ear with patient interest to the humble and
the poor, and in consequence was most ad-
mired and beloved by the latter class. He
hated shams, and was quick to expose and
denounce them. He stood by his friends
and sought no compromise
with his enemies. The latter he knew in
fallibly, and made no secret of the knowl- |
edge. In all his business dealings he was
scrupulously exact and honest, and demand
ed the same course Of conduct from those |