The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1895-08-10

ferrcd to had been disposed of. had per-
sonally become quite intimate with the
son, Finico Caruthers, before his death, In
1850, and had talked with him moro or
less about his history. was satisfied that
L could by IL talk with tho old man, de-
tormine as 70 whether he was % fraud or
not. After nearly half u day sconversation
with him, in which piled him with ell
manner of questions, 1 became fully con-
WINGED that he WAS tho man he claimed to
be; that he was the husband of Elizabeth
Caruthers
II thcn commenced suit for the property
based on that theory in the circuit court Of
the state of Oregon, the sole questions in
volvcd being whether this old mans name
was Thomas, whether he was the man he
claimed to be and whether he had married
the old woman in Tennessee took testi-
hony In several of the southern and west
,rn states; some six or eight witnesses
were taken all the way to Oregon from IL
linois and Missouri. The defense in their
answer simplified 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 carly history. For
tunately was able to provo that this man
was hanged lE vigilance committee for
horse stealing In Illinois. Besides the tcs-
timony was overwhelming TO the effect
that Joe Thomas was the man he claimed
to be.
"Wcll, the jury brought In verdict fa-
vorablc to my client. They declared
Wrestling Joe Thomas to be the real Joe
Thomas and the husband of the carly set
tier of Portland 1t was famous victory,
and the property involved in that case is
now worth moro than s10O 900, O00"
He Believes Something In Luck.
John l.. Wilson has told me in his own
way the story of how no rose from clerk In
the pension Office ut Washington to he
United States senator from the state of
Washington. My father was one of the
leading lawyers of Indiana" said Mr..
Wilson. We lived next door to the Voor-
heeS family, and young Voorhees, and my
self grew up ms chums. Though my ia
ther was Republican senator Voorhees,
procured an appointment as clerk In the
pension Office for mo. worked there some
time, but am willing to admit did not
like 1t. 1t was drudgcry. My Supporters in
Office, rs we'll as my associates were kind
and pleasant but somehow couldn't get
over tho feeling that was o sort of horse
to be harnessed up in the morning and
after 1 had turned out certain lot of work
L
used to have longings to 90 west and start
In for myself. talked about 1t to my fell
low clerks. They used to tell me the best
thing l could do was to let we'll enough
alone and stick to my comfortable and
very regular salary. replied that any man
with brains and energy could mako as
much in private business rs he could in
the pension office and have more independ-
encc. Finally made up my mind to cut
loose from the pension Office altogether
My friends assured me I was making O
great mistake and would soon repent my
choice and come back looking for the old
job. 1 declared that when returned to
the national capital 1t would be rs a mem
bcr of congress. That was q bluff, puro
and simple. Though I had some a1nbi-
tions, must admit 1 had no idea they
would be realized.
II could sec very plainly that In order to
have fair chance in the west one must
have profession. So I went to Indiana
and studied law with my uncle. While
engaged ut this was elected member Of
the Indiana legislature. For some reason
didn't take much interest in tho lcgisln-
turc nor in Indiana politics. suppose 1t
was because my mind was fixed on going
to the great west While member OF the
legislature I helped elect Benjamin Har-
rison senator, and through Mr.. Harrison,
with the help of Colonel Dudley and Sen
ator Voorhees,, induced President Arthur
to appoint me receiver Of public moneys Mt
Spokane, Wash. packed my household
goods in one trunk and went out there.
For four years was in that office, making
good many friends and mighty little
money Cleveland removed me- When tho
territory was about to become u state. I
looked over the field and concluded I could
win the Republican nomination for con
gress did it and was elected the first
representative from that state suppose
luck has had moro to do with my rise than
merit For instance, during tho recent
long and bitter senatorial struggle in our
state had virtually given up the fight. I
had letter of Withdrawal written and
was about to publish it when some of my
friends induced me to hold on n few DAYS
Longer. Meanwhile another man with
drew, and won. That was luck"
WALTER WELLMAN
Horsepower OF the Dicyclist.