Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1895-08-26

ferred to had been disposed Of 1 had per-
sonally become quite intimate with the
son, Finice Caruthors before his death, in
1860, and had talked with him more or less
about his history. was satisfied that l
could, by talk with the old man, deter
mine as to whether he was u fraud or not.
After nearly half day IS conversation with
him, in which piled him with all manner
OF questions, L became fully convinced
that he was the man he claimed to be;
that he was the husband of Elizabeth
Caruthers.
81 then commenced suit for the property
based on that theory in the circuit court of
the state of Oregon, the sole questions in
volved being whether this old mans name
was Thomas, whether he was tho man he
claimed to be and whether he had married
the old woman in Tennessee. took testi-
mony in several of the southern and west
ern states; some six or eight witnesses
were taken all the way to Oregon from IL
linois and Missouri. The defense in their
answer simplitled the inquiry very much
by declaring not only that this man was
not Joseph Thomas but that he was an
other man, whom they named, giving his
birth and part of his early history. For
tunately 1 was able to prove that this man
was hanged by vigilance committee for
horse stealing in Illinois. Besides tho tes-
timony was overwhelming to the effect
that Joe Thomas was the man he claimed
to be.
"Wcll, the jury brought in a verdict ia
vorable to my client. They declared Wres-
tling Joe Thomas to be the real Joe Thomas
and the husband of the early settler of
Portland. 1t was famous victory, and
tbn rt1,i ir,volyaI in, 10,
worth more than $40, 900, 00O."
He Believes Something In Luck.
John L. Wilson has told mo in his own
way the story of how he rose from clerk
in the pension office at Washington to be
United States senator from the state of
Washington. "My father was one of the
leading lawyers of Indiana" said Mr.. Will
son. "We lived next door to the Voorhees,
family, and young Voorhees, and myself
grew up as chums. Though my father
was Republican senator, Voorhees, pro-
cured an appointment as clerk in the pen
sion office for me. 1 worked there some
time, but am willing to admit did not
like it. 1t was drudgery. My superiors in
Office, as well as my associates were kind
and pleasant, but somehow l couldn't get
over tho feeling that L was sort of horse
after 1 had turned out certain lot of
work was permitted to go and get my feed
l used to have longings to go west and
start in for myself. l talked about it to
my fellow clerks. They used to tell me
the best thing l could do was to let well
enough alone and stick to my comfortable
and very regular salary. 1 replied that any
man with brains and energy could make
as much in private business as he could in
the pension office and have more indcpend-
ence. Finally made up my mind to cut
loose from the pension office altogether
My friends assured mo l was making
great mistake and would soon repent my
choice and come back looking for the old
job. | declared that when l returned to
the national capital it would be as n men,
ber of congress. That was bluff, pure
and simple. Though / had some ambi-
tions, l must admit / had no idea they
would be realized.
~ could see very plainly that in order to
have n fair chance in the west ono must
have a profession. So / went to Indiana
and studied law with my uncle. While en-
gagged at this was elected member of
the Indiana legislature. For some reason
1 didn't take much interest in the legisla-
ture nor in Indiana politics. l suppose it
was because my mind was fixed on going
to the great west. While amember of the
legislature l helped elect Benjamin Har-
rison senator, and through Mr.. Harrison,
with the help of Colonel Dudley and Sen
ator Voorhees,, l induced President Ar
thur to appoint mo receiver of public mon
eys at Spokane Wash. packed my house.
hold goods in one trunk and went out
there. For four years I was in that Office,
making good many friends and mighty
little money. Cleveland removed me.
When the territory was about to become
state, l looked over the field and concluded
l could win the Republican nomination
for congress. l did it and was elected the
first representative from that state, l sup
pose luck has had more to do with my rise
than merit. For instance during the re-
cent long and bitter senatorial struggle in
our state l had virtually given up the fight.
l had letter of withdrawal written and
was about to publish it when some of my
friends induced me to hold on few days
longer. Meanwhile another man with
drew, and 1 won. That was luck"
WALTER WELLNAN.
Al