The Neihart herald. [volume] (Neihart, Mont.) 1890-1901, 1899-03-25
A REMARKABLE MAN.
HE WAS ONCE PRESIDENT FOR
ONE DAY.
David r. Atchison, the Missouri Senator
Who Occupies q Unique Place in
American History-The Story of His
Career.
(St, Louis letter.

David Rice Atchison was born at
Fayette county, KY, Aug.
II, 1907, and died in Clinton county,
Mo-, Jan. rs, 1886, in the 18TH year of
his age.
His father was William Atchison, an
elder in the Presbyterian church, and
a wealthy farmer of Fayette county,
the center and garden spot of the Blue
Grass region of Kentucky, who when 6
years of age, moved with his fathers
family from Lancaster county, Pa, to
the rich and magnifcently improved
county in which young David Atchison
was born.
David R. Atchison in 1925 graduated
with high honor at Pennsylvania Uni
Of learning which even at that early
day was of high repute. After receiv-
ing the degree of bachelor of arts, he
determined to study law, and among
the eminent barristers whose instruc-
tion he enjoyed were Judge Jesse Bled-
soc, Charles Humphrey and William t.
Barry, the latter afterward postmaster
SShCl d unucT AuulSW oIhoO @oHc
35. and the first postmaster general
known to our laws. He was admitted
to the bar and practiced his profession
for a short time in his native state.
Notwithstanding the f1attering pros
poets that opened before him, N the
opportunities of friends, he determined
to Ego west and grow up with the
country" and in 1880 selected Liberty,
Clay county, Mo-, as his permanent
home. Clay county at that time did
not contain 5000 inhabitants, and LID
erty was a small struggling village.
The only resident lawyer OF the place
was William T. Wood, now a venerable
and distinguished citizen (aged 500 Oh
Lexington, Mo-, who several years ago
retired from the bar and bench with
high honors thickly set upon him.
At a regimental muster at Dale's
farm, near Liberty, in the summer OF
1885, a citizens meeting was held,
which originated the project OF the
platte purchase" Gen. Andrew S.
Hughes addressing the meeting. A
committee was appointed to memorial
ize congress, consisting of William T.
Wood, David R. Atchison, A. w. Don
iphan, Peter H. Burnett and Edward
M. Samuel, Judge Wood wrote the me-
mortal, Senator Benton introduced
the bill, and he and Senator Linn
urged its adoption, and in 1885 the
purchase" was accomplished.
A few years after taking up his resi-
dence at Liberty, Atchison was APP
pointed by Gov. Dunklin major general
Of the northern division of the Mis-
souri, state militia, an honor to which
he is indebted for the prefix to his
name, General"
Hon. Lewis F. Linn, one of the Unit
ed States Senators from Missouri, died
in Ste. Genevieve Oct. 3, 1843, whereup-
on it became the duty of Gov. Rey-
nolds to appoint a successor to occupy
his seat until the legislature elected
somebody to fill it. The governor ap-
pointed Atchison, which was unexpect-
ed and opposed by many of the gov
ernor's political friends. In fact, it
was roundly denounced, and the COVER
nor severely criticised for making it.
Although a man of large experience in
official life and of recognized ability,
Gov. Reynolds was acutely sensitive to
public criticism, and therefore pos
sessed the weakness of being rendered
very unhappy by it. 1t was the cank-
ering plague spot of his existence.
When therefore he committed suicide
by a rifle shot in his Office on Feb. 8,
1874, many supposed that the chief, il
not the only cause of the sad catas-
trophe was the abuse he had received.
principally on account of the appoint
ment of Atchison.
When he entered the senate in 1874
his colleague, Col. Benton, had served
the people as a senator for nearly a
quarter of a century and occupied the
front rank among the most distin-
guished statesmen of that body. The
new senator's position, therefore, was
very embarrassing. He was overshad'
owed by the colossal reputation of 6
colleague whose fame was co~extensive
with the English-speaking people Of
the globe. Under this shadow he con
tinued to the end.
1t is easy to see, because the logic
of Atchison's career in the senate ant
out of it disclosed the fact, that he an
t~agonized his colleague in his appeal
from the Jackson resolutions Of 1848
During the tendency of that issue il
the court in 1849 and while Col Benton