The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-07-07

Physical and Mental characteristics of the
New District Attorney

New District Attorney.
t. Q. Crawford, in New York World.
John e. Lamb, who was appointed district
attorney for the district of Indiana to day an
doubtecly owes his appointment TO the untirinq
perslstency OF Senator Daniel Voorhees, who is
unremitting in his devotion to any one he cals
friend. 1t is barely possible he could have found
better subject for his devotions. Spring Lamb
as some of his near and dear friends call him. is
about as unlocked type as one will find who
stlll wears good clothes and has sc en- something
OF the world. He is red faced, smooth shaved
with a mouth the size of an omen grave and a
voice like resurrection trumpet IL stout bur
~ hgure IS always encased in the shining
oroadcoth suits so loved by Western statesmen
chopped out and thrown together by the most
liberal of HoOser tallors. He used to top off his
great fat, unspanked moon face with silk hat
modelled upon block of his own device. No
other silk hat ever had SO large crown or so
wide brlm Lamb was member of the last
Congress. He made passionate leaps for noto-
rlety, but his legs were too short or bis body too
heavy. In his search for advancement he laid
hold upon the eloquent Voorhees,, who also wears
one of the largest silk hats known to the tradel
But the great Daniel, who is one of the masters
or modern English, has head to fill his hat and
does not look lost under the vast expanse of its
wide. rolling brim, Save in his hat, Lamb never
succeeded in initiating the Tall Sycamore
OF the Wabash. But much devotion as o
showed to his friend had to have reward AMI
1t is not surprising that the kindly hearted and
Lamb into IA good official position after he failed
70 be returned to Congress. Lambs appoint
ment will make no trouble. He is one Of those
good natured men, with voraciouS appetites un-
firing legs and fool good-nature, who have hosts
of friends and never any enemies.
Here is story that will illustrate Spring
Lambs character as we'll as anything that could
be told of him. One night early in the session Of
the last Congress there was caucus of the House
Democrats 1t lasted until nearly midnight /
waited IN a Gurney cab, at the House door, for
one of the well known Democratic members to
ride with me and give me, returned up
town, brief summary of the session. When the
caucus broke up there fell a violent flood of rain.
The expected member glad to seek the
refuge of the cab. Just as it was about
to move off Spring Lamb came to the door and
begged for ride, as all the carriages about were
taken. He got in and as I had never met the
Lamb, naturally devoted my time to listening to
the talk of the member did know. His keen,
rapid summary of the evening was repeatedly
broken into by Lambs frantic attempt to tell his
story of it, Not word he said was noticed and
not single question was put to him. When the
veteran member who had been of real service tc
me came TO leave the cab he made the usual
perfunctory remark: 'Ot course l don't want
to have my name mentioned as your informant"
When Lamb followed he opened his cavernous
mouth and roared, you are under no crcum,
stances to qRpte me! My name is Lamb. Don't
quote me! Did you get the name? Don't quote
me-"
With this remark the future distrctat
torney slid from the cab near his boarding
house. and under the secure shelter of his hat
brim disappeared in the darkness and rain of
the night.