The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-11-26

about the shoulder of his friend.
said: Jim. come over to the house
for a ouiet chat" Accepting the invitation, Mr.
Whitman accompanied the Vice president to his
home, where a social hour was passed. During
the conversation Mr. Hendricks remarked:
'Wildman all this talk about my being candi-
date for President in 1883 is absurd. / have
never thought of it. Indeed, was not candi-
date in 1884, nor was for Vice-president, but
when nominated | contentedly accepted it and
am glad l did; but will not be candidate again
for that or any other office l am perfectly
happy"
In one of his latest interviews if not indeed
the last he ever granted newspaper man. he
protested that he never advocated 'clean
sweep" of the offices upon the change Of admin
istration. This declaration is in consonance
with sentiment expressed by him some years
ago. when correspondent asked him how it
would be possible to carry institution like
the Land Office. the system of party remov-
ais from Office. His reply was:
1T is not possible. certain proportion of the
employees have to be retained from administration TO
administration. Yet it is rather remarkable how
quickly new set of employees learn the operations of
Office did not know how to draw up the form of
application for land. But was lawyer, and set
myself to work, and cases arose consulted pre-
cedents and authorities, and had any seri-
difficulty. and l observed that the clerks
generally very capable to master their work"
Monday night Harry Morgan spent at the
residence of Mr.. Hendricks During the even
ing they were alone. and Mr.. Hendricks talked
cneerfuy, appearing to be in the best
of health. Referring to the amputa-
ton of his big toe, caused by eangrene
of the foot several years ago, he said
Harry have you my little toe. Wait
moment and l will show it to you.' The
doctor had left him some Eminent for
slight attack of the rheumatism. Call
ing his faithful servant Tom to
battle his limbs with the preparation,
Mr.. Hendricks partially undressed, and raising
his foot to his nephew laughingly, moved the
stump of the toe saying, What do you think of
that. my boyT In applying the liniment the
ammonia fumes choked both the Vice-president
and Tom Coughing, spluttering and laughing
together, they completed the application. At
l2:30 o'clock the statesman bade his nephew
cheerful good night.
MR.. HENDRIcKs's FIRST LAW CASE.
The Kansas City Times recently published the
following interview, in which is told the story of
his first law suit:
II gave Tom Hendricks his first law case" re-
marked MIR. Jacob Vernon to Times reporter
yesterday, at independence. THAT was away
back in the forties / was clerk of the Circuit
Court of Shelby county. Indiana, and young
Hendricks had just returned from law school at
Washington, Pa. He was very industrious
young man, and seemed to be a natural born
lawyer. AT the time | speak of a gentleman
asked me in regard to lawyer to take charge
of the settlement of an estate. | recommended
Tom, and he managed affairs in such manner
that it but short time until he had
a well established practice. He soon gained such
a reputation that he was sent to the Legislature
as representative of that county. After that
he was elected a delegate to the State constitu-
tional convention. Here he gained a State repu-
tation by his earnest championship of question
which came before the assembly. | was pres
ent at that convention, and was much amused at
the interest taken in Tom by a man named Nc
-, l.11 AZ
keeper. He came to me and asked me who that
young fellow was who was speaking. told him
it was Tom Hendricks.
"'Where was he raisedT asked he
In the swamps of Shelby county an
swered I.
"'Wel, he will make his mark in this world
if he was raised in the swamps' remarked Nc
Kenzie and sure enough he did. long ago.
During Hendricks canvass for Congress the
first time l accompanied him over the district
Over in Hancock county there delegate
elected who we thought would not vote as he
talked.
Il was clerk of the congressional convention,
and met the delegate from Hancock and asked
him If he would vote for Tom.
Vote for hm!' said he Yes, and stay here
till the corn tasses to nominate him.. The fell
low proved faithful and Tom received the nom
ination without any trouble.
Hendricks was of the most successful
lawyers that ever went before jury He prob
ably inherited much Of his good sense from his
mother. whom he favored in features and actions
very much His father Major Hendricks, was
a tanner by trade and carried on a business at
Shelbyville. There four and two
daughters in the family. Abraham, the elder
son, was Presbyterian minister and
died several years ago James still lives
at Shelbyvie. and, l believe is engaged
in mercantile pursuits: Of the daughters
Jennie married Dr. Webb, of Kentucky, who
died In short time. She afterward married
DR.. Pierce, of Indianapolis. but did not long
survive this marriage. About two years after
her death DR.. Pierce married Ample, the younger
daughter. with whom he now lives. Tons
mother died at his house, at Indianapolis, only
few years ago.
Tom married young lady named Miss Eliza
Morgan, who lived Cincinnati. He had
been married but few days when he came to
my office and asked the loan of 500, which
amount he said he required to finish paying for
his household effects He afterward told me
that it was the only money ne had ever borrowed
in his life."
MR. BURDETTE AND MR. HENDRICKS.
Bob Burdette, at that time the funny man.
of the Burlington Hawkeye, few years ago
wrote the following about meeting he had with
Mr. Hendricks:
do you know, have a very, very pleasant
recollection of Mr. Hendricks? The only Mr..
Hendricks in the world just now, of course. l
never met him but once, and then l had the
honor of dining with him.
II do not mention this fact in order to create
the impression that am on easy. familiar terms
with all the candidates in this presidential cam
paigD. / fear / am not. If l wanted $500 to-
morrow-and probably will, at least want it
to-day, and am not the mar to change my con-
victions on financial matters in twenty four
honrs--I do not know a single candidate for
President or Vice-presdent whom I could, so
to speak, strike for that amount.
'Well, Mr.. Hendricks mad the honor of dining
with me-that is, we dined with each other. 1t
was this way l had been lecturng after the
count of 1876. out in the vast. free. glorious
West. / was fastening home to Burlington
over the c.. B. & Q. On that same day MIR.
Hendricks was on his way to California. Both
trains on the @. road dined at Wormleys, at
Charlton. la. Mr.. Wormey met me at the door
of the dining room with even more than usual
cordiality. He said to me:
"'Good. l have company for you to-day.