Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1892-06-28


ward. drew the Mecklenburg De-
claration OF Independence, whlch was
promulgated May %, 1775.
Mr.. Stevenson's father was farmer
or planter ia moderate circumstances
He never held public office, he haa a
few slaves, bat the acres he worked
were not productive, and in June OF
1850 he liberated his negroes, Surren-
dered his land aud left for ireSher fields
Of the Prairie State. There were SIX
sons aud one daughter and the father
and mother in the pilgrimage TO ILLINOIS,;
They came with their household
goods in canyas-coyered wagons, ana
were three weeks on the journey. No
foods. no Indians haraSsed them on
the way. They settled in Bloomington.
10 was then town Of about one hundred
and fifty inhabitants, and chicago was
not much more Of place.
Mr. Stevenson, ''pateriamlllas,
started in Bloomington q lumber MILL
The boy, Adlai, worked for his father.
He hauled logs from Blooming Grove
and developed some OF that physical
strength which has since been his de-
incidence i'm many fercely protracted
p0liJical campaign. From month to
month az various times the young man
went 20 the village school and later 10
the Wesleyan University.
They called that institution a univer-
sity because they bad already begun IN
the West 70 give eNtravaganJ names 10
little things II wasn't university
and am it did for Mr. Stevenson was TO
give him a preparation for college.
TAUGHT SCHOOL AND BOARED AROUND
The youth also got some preparation
while teaching school during vacation
times. and once in a while In winter.
He earned $50 a month by this work,
and boarded around like the HooSier
Srhoolmaster" and other chaps who IN
their youth have had more brains than
money.
Young Adlai saved every cent be
could, and finally went 20 Centre Col
lelege, in Danville, Ky. IL was ana Is
still Presbyterian institution. No rail-
road then tOnched Danvllle. The llttIe
community that made up the village
was quite cultivated and deeply inter-
eSted ia the college and its students.
When young Stevenson went there some
Two hundred students were IN the lnStl-
tution. and many OF them we're from
rbe best families OF the South. Not
few were poor and depended upon them
selves TO prosecute their college course.
AdIai was one OF this kind. He paid
s. so a week for his room rent and
board. 10 also included his washing and
mending. He was a good student. he
didn', stand at the head of his class, but
he managed 10 maintain fair reputa-
ton for scholarship and read consider
ablg.
scHooLED ~ THE DEBATING SOCIETY
Mr.. Stevenson also belonged to the
Deinologian Debating Society AT It's
meetings political questions were dis
cussed, aud there and then he hrst be-
came absorbed in the politics OF the
country.
Mr.. Stevenson's father died in the
last year Of the young mans course al
Centre College. Had Adlai remained TO
be graduated be would have become an
alumuuS of the class OF 1855. The Iact
that he has not graduated has not pre-
vented him, however, from looking
upon himself as fuil-hedged son Of his
Presbyterian alma mater and IN these
later years he has frequently gone back
TO Danville 20 attend the Centre College
commencement reunions.
Mr. SteyensOn'S father left the family
with only a moderate Income. The
OF It's affairs aud the re-
sUonsibility OF the weil-being of bis sew
eral brothers aud enc sister and the
happiness Of his mother fell upon his
shoulders. The young man had not yet
attained his majority, but be accepted
his trust and performed IL we'll and
faithfully.
He returned to Bloomington and
studied law for one year with X. b,
Williams, a Democratic lawyer. When
be was tweuty-one years old he was ad-
mitted 20 the bar. To accomplish this
end be had passed through many Strng-
giles. His purse was so Small that he
had been compelled TO borrow copy Of
Blackstone. Lawyer Williams loaned
him other books, too, and every day
questioned the yQSng man about his
studies aud quizzed him almost as we'll
as tutors In the New York Law School
do to-day. But lack of money only
stimulated the ambitious young man to
greater efforts.
HE BEGINS PRACrICING LAW.
After be had been admitted 20 the bar
be moved 10 Metamora, in Woodford
county, and began hustIing for clients.
He had So worth OF law books in his
library, the principles of civil and Grim
inal law and a host OF leading cases In
his head, heart full OF enthusiasm, a
mind permeated with pluck aud body
full of strength. He had made his en-
trance upon the real stage Of life. The
shaping Of his future was in his own
hands.
How we'll he has handled his chances,
how we'll be has grasped his Opportuni-
ties, with what firm rivets OF steel be
has linked 90 him friends here, there
ana everywhere, his career and the hon
0rs which the Democratic party have
bestowed upon him will attest.
The young lawyer waited for many
days before ne got his first client. Then
what the lawyer always remembers
came. He had a case at last. IL was
small sQuabble 10 the court OF justice
Oi IL. peace. Stevenson won the case.
DE got S. for 70. John Clark, OF Meta
mora, was the opposing counsel IIli-
nois has since looked upon Clark as
successful! lawyer, 10 spite of the fact
that Mr.. Stevenson defeated him In that