The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1891-04-09

exclusively I'd the management OF
his extensive estates. The action of
the Legislature calling him 10 posi-
ton on the Railroad Commission, a
position which he had neither solic-
tied or expected, will cause him
sgain to forego for time that we'll
earned rest in the midst of his fam
lily to which he has so kng looked
forward.
Mr. J. j. Dunn, Secretary of the
Wake ounty Alliance furnishes the
State Chronicle with the following
sketch of
EUGENE G. BEDDINGFIELD.
Eugene G. Eeddingfeld, former
Secretary of the North Carolina Far
mers' State Alliance, nov one Of tie
newly elected Railroad Commissior-
ers, was born on the 10th Of October,
1862, in Wake county, few miles
Beddingfeld, was d Confederate SOL
dier and died in the hospital at Cor
donsville, Va, in November, 1868,
leaving his wife and son dependent
upon her father, Edward Chappel,
who was plain, substantial farmer,
at the time sevcnty-fVe years Of
age. Sherman's army having left
the country in destitute condition.
it was with considerable sacrifice
that they managed to send Eugene
to subscription school for few
months in each year, until be was
old enough to plow. A corrupt Leg
islature having squandered the pub
lie school fund, there were no public
schools in his IeighborhOOd at the
time. AS soon as he learned to read,
however, he manifested a great TO d.
ness for books, and through the
kindness Of friends was enabled 10
borrow and real many which he
could not otherwise have done. Eve
Nv spare moment WAS employed in
reading standard works o: history
and fiction.
When he was fourteen years old,
through the kindness of his teacher,
DR.. l.. Chappell, Of Forestvillc, he
attended the Academy at that place
for year. DIR. r. Ii. Lewis, now
President of JudsOn College, was at
that time principal. This was the
principal part Of schooling he ever
received, as some private matters
prevented him from attending col
lege as he had hoped to do. He how
ever did not give up his studious
habits, but continued to study and
read 1T spare time while working on
his farm. 1888 Mr.. Beddingfeld was
nominated as candidate for the
State Legislature. Up to this time
he had never delivered a public
speech in his life, but soon showed
considerable ability as a speaker, and
was able to hold his own with the
old political orators. His canvass OF
the county VAS IL brilliant one, hC
being the only democrat elected from
this county. Mr.. Beddi1gfeld al
once took Il prominent position in
the Legislature, aud perhaps nc
young man in the State ever eXer-
cised a wider influence. His record
in that body is one of which he may
we'll be proud. When Col. Polk re
signed as Secretary Of the State AL
lance he was elected to fill his unex
pired term, and received the endorse
ment of the brotherhood throughout
the State by reelection last Angus
at the meeting Of the State Alliance
at AshevIlle. He continued to hOlC
this position until he was elected one
Of the Railroad commissioners fOl
J the State by "a very fattering vote
, His brethren throughout the Stat
express themselves as highly pleased
at his election. am free to say Mr.
Beddingfield will, think, fill th'
new position to which he has beer
elected with as much ability as b.
| has the other important position
l which he has held.
The Weldon News gives the fol
lowing sketch OF
5 CAPT. THOMAS w. MASON.
Mr.. Mason was born in Brunswicl
, county, Virginia, which adjoiE
Northampton, in this State, on Jan
! uary Sd, 1889. He graduated al tn
|
the usual four years course, in 1858
not haviEg at the time attained hi
= twentieth year. After receiving hi
/ degree at the University Of thi
l State he entered the law school 0
> the University of Virginia at tn
= session of 1S5S-'9 and mastered th
l whole course in one term. He wa:
married in Northampton county ,thi
;. State, in September, 1860. Whe
u q the war between the States began h
4 was residing on a plantation in Lou
!, isiana which he still owns and SUI
u cessfully manages. He was anon
= among the first to respond to the Ca
" for volunteers. When the sun {
: the Confederacy set at Appomatto,
Mr.. Mason like thousands of other
e who had staked their all and lost, res
y ;, olutely turned his face to the futur
"a to repair his broken fortunes. III
, settled in Northampton county wher
= he still resides, but formerly spenG
ing many Of his winters on his Lot
. isiana plantation. He engaged i
agricult ural pursuits and became an
:, is still a successful farmer. In 1S7
II he was admitted to the bar of NOrtl
ampton county, not as ne WY fleds
9 ed lieensee Of TIE Supreme Cour
II but as II lawyer well equipped an
9 with a profound knowledge of co.
IL stitutional and common law. HI
% practice began at once to grow an
u each year has seen it incre ,se, bl
q never yet has anyone been heard
q speak aught against him or charg
IS him with taking an unfair advantag
l. either in or out of court. He give
the same care and zeal to the hun
~ Uest cases as TO the greatest; but S
IL much is he esteemed where he
y ,est known that in 1884 he receive
n unsought the Democratic nomin:
s ton for State Senator in the thir
district, composed of Northampto