Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-03-01
A JACKsONIAN DEMOCRAT.
Judge Patton, Who Visited Washington
Sixty-FOur Years Ago.

Judge Patton, Who Visited Washington
Sixty-Four Years Ago.
One Of the most interesting visitors in the
city is Judge Benjamin Patton of Hicksville,
Ohio, who arrived this morning and is quar-
tered at Wizards.
Judge Patton is eighty-four years Of age,
having been born ct Bellefonte, Pa, July 81,
1909. He is Jacksonian democrat and saw
the hero OF New Orleans inaugurated. He is
yet mentally vigorous. though his eyesight is
falling and his hearing is impaired. He
walks with clutches, and this morning was
attended BY his grandnephew, Thomas NJ. Rey-
nolds OF this city. He is thoroughly gentle
man of the old school, still wearing the high
pointed collar and the black scarf of Jacksonian
DAYS. Judge Patton is a delightful taiker and
is filled with historical and interesting remi-
niscences.
Little did think he said to THE STAR rep
ago, stood on the east portico Of the Capitol
that 1 would be here this lovely spring
morning.
Il have seen Presidents Jackson, Polk. Cleve-
land and Harrison inaugurated. l look forward
to the ceremonies Of next Saturday with
peculiar interest. Perhaps it will be my fortune
to see the next Inauguration. too. l journeyed
from Carlisle, Pa. in 1929 to see Gen. Jackson
inaugurated, coming to the capital by stage
coach. l stopped at this hotel. which
was then the old Mansion House. As said.
was on the east portico of the Capitol when jack
son delivered his inaugural address, but, if the
truth must be told. my attention was so occu-
pied in admiring beautiful Baltimore girl that
gave slight heed to the Presidents words.
"Gen Jackson walked from Gadsby's Hotel,
now the National. to the Capitol, accompanied
by several friends prominent at the time There
was no especial demonstration. I remember
that he was bareheaded part of the way.
Gen. Jackson was my personal friend and
am now proud to say that l enjoyed his esteem
personally and officially. He appointed me
United States district attorney for the western
district of Pennsylvania when was but twenty
three years of age. held the position for six
years. l was in the reading room
of the hotel the day the appoint
ment was announced. An elderly gentleman
approached me and said: Il understand the
President has appointed a mere boy to the dis
trict attorneyship Of Pennsylvania did not
reveal myself to him, but replied that while the
young man was young l thought he would by
study and application make up for his Lack Of
experience.
II have always been a democrat and am
probably the only person now living who held
an office under Jackson. At the expiration Of
my term as district attorney 1 occupied the
bench as the presiding judge of the Pittsburg
district for eleven years and was subsequently,
clerk Of the United States circuit court and
United States commissioner at Philadelphia for
twelve years."
I'm 1870 l removed to body of land COM
prising 1000 acres. which now adjoins the city
Of Hicksville. Ohio, which I entered over forty
years ago. and am now farmer"
Judge Patton has four children living. one
son living In Tennessee and another in Texas.
His two daughters reside with him. He has a
niece sixty-fve years old. His granduncle
Benjamin Patton, signed the Mecklenburg
declaration of independence. his ancestors
coming from the north of Ireland. He jour-
neyed alone to Washington.