The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1896-02-04
STORIES OF THE DAY..
The Interesting and Tragic story Of Young
Symes.

OF ten children living in Mormon COOlie,
near the Mississippi. in western Wis
consin. 1t was in that vicinity that q
portion of the bovhoOd Of Hamlin Gar
land was passed. Both were farmer
boys. Young Symrs grubbed stumps.
plOwed, dragged, planted, sowed, hood,
Graded, moved, dug, thrashed. fed
pigs, MIXED cows and marketed crops
nine months in the year. The other
three he was Il student in one of the
colleges of the masses at a crOssroad. At
IS he walked to La Crosse in search of
a chance to study law and found it in
the Office of J. w. Losey. BY the time
he had mastered the art Of sweeping
and busting, replacing books in the IL
brary and errand running Mr.. Lincoln
wanted volunteers. Young Symes retired
from the law business and enlisted. His
regiment was at Bull Run and one Of
the first at Washington the next morn
ing, though it fought as we'll as any. 1t
was made up of hardy western boys,
used to fast walking. They scorned to
let the cavalry pass them until the Wash
ington end of Long bridge was reached.
Symes, though slightly wounded, trav-
eled with the fast moving procession,
quickeniDg his step with the rest, when
some n said he heard the chatter of
the Black Horse cavalry in pursuit. 1t
was better for the nation and mankind
that the victorious southerners did not
run II foot race with their brothers of
the north that hot and e~ventful July
night, or Washington would have fallen.
Symes was "a student, an observer, q
great reader when off duty. He fire.
quently visited TIE halls Of congress. He
would sit for hours and watch the great
men and listen to their debates.
Jim, some Of these times others will
watch Ii listen to me as we watch and
listen to our congressman.
In 1862 SymeS was made adjutant of
The F"eH1y-ffth.L Of Which the late
Governor Rusk was major, and later its
commander. In a few months he bios
somed into Captain Symes. In one of
the battles on the road to Atlanta, in
1864, Symes was dangerously wounded
and sent home to die. He didn't die.
There was a call for more regiments.
The governor sent him a commission as
colonel. His regiment served in Tennes-
see and Kentucky, 1t was at or near Pa
ducah when the war ended.
Symes, as a private, sergeant, adju-
tant, captain and colonel had studied a
great deal. He was a we'll informed
man and had made a good deal of head
way in the law at the end of the war.
He had developed into a fine, intellec-
tual appearing man. Freckles and sandy
hair do not count against a man or
woman of bright eyes, an intellectual
face and a fair form. Noticed that,
haven't you?
Il shall remain at P~aducah," Symes
said.
A few lawbooks were bought, a room
rented, a sign painted, and within six
months Lawyer Symes was a man of
note in that part of Kentucky. A mar
who had had a steamboat taken and
wrecked wanted Symes to take the case.
1T is an important case, sir. I want a
retainer of $1,000" II haven't that
many cents" do you expect me to
work for glory and amusement" "No;
l expect to give you half of my claim
for $50, 600. THAT will do, l guess. "
Night and day for weeks the steam
boat case was given his best thought.
The case was won, and Symes banked
$40, 600. His name and fame were soon
abroad. Business rolled in upon him
from all sides. He made money rapidly.
No n was anxious for the Republic
an nomination for congress i'll the Pa
ducah district. The convention ad-
journed while a delegate ran over to
Symes' Office.
Colonel, we've got to have a candi-
date for congress. Will you accept the
nomination."
when do. You want my answer"
Now; the convention is waiting"
"In take it,"
Being a ready speaker, he stumped
the district. Both candidates claimed
the election, but the Democrat was Civ
Ell the certificate. Symes contested and
lost.
Sorry cant sit in the gallery and
hear Congressman Symes this winter -
remarked skeptical Jim.
Wait a spell" said the colonel.
While in Washington Symes became
acquainted with President Grant, who
took quite a fancy to him. One day
Grant asked him how he wonld like to
go to Montana as a judge. He liked the
idea, but it did not meet his expecta-
tons upon trial. Statehood and a SEN
atorship were far away. He resigned
and went to Colorado. In time he be-
came one Of the best mining lawyers
there and was a rich man 10 years ago..
In 1884 he was elected to congress and
reelected in 1856. when his appetite
was appeased. Life as a congressman
did not suit him as we'll as he Thought
1t would back i'll 1861, when he and
Jim were interested onlookers.
Colonel Symes was a hard worker.
de showed himself no mercy. When the
crash came in 1898. he worked harder