New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-07-28

N~-s-t'a"- - e-----'--9.' ''N-9~''
Ala was admitted to the bar In 1872. and be-
gan the practice of law at Gainesville, Ala as
the partner Of Turner Reavis.
In 1S44 ne was elected solicitor for the seventh
Circuit. and later served as lieutenant in the
Mexican War Catching the gold fever Of 1919,
he travelled with party Of neighbors on horse
back all the way 20 California. In 1851. how
ever he was back in Alabama. settling IN Car
roliton. Pjckens County. where he practise5 law
until 800. when he was elected Judge Of the
Seventh Judicial Circuit. being then only
thirty-four years of age. Reslgning in 1858, ne
removed 70 Cahaha. Dallas County and re-
suued the practise Of his profession as a mem
Dor OF the firm Of PettUs, Pegues & Dawson
ON the breaking out of the Civil War he ~
once entered the Confederate service. With
General CARROT he raised the goth Alabama In
fantry OF which he became major and. soon
after. lieutenant colonel
At the siege of VICksbugg Miss the FederaIs
had captured red0ubt that was of great stra-
ge'ic importance. ana General Stephen D. Lee
ordered that IL be retakeu in spite of the danger
OF the attempt. Lieutenant Colonel Petrus was
ordered 10 lead the attack ON the lost point He
promptly accepted tho duty and called for vulun-
teerS. II looked then if to volunteer meant
certain death Waurs Texas legion stepped for
ward in a body Selecting forty Of them. to-
getncr with three Alabamians. who had also
volunteered. Colonel Pettus stormed the redoubt
captured il and carried away 100 prisoners.
colonel. He was afterWari captured hut was
soon exchanged. and was commissioned brig
adler general in 1SG3 being placed in command
OF brigade OF SteveusoU's Division u the
Army % ne Tennessee He served with great
gaNantry in many en- ga geruents, until the end IF
the war when he again resumed his profession
opening an office in Selma. where he continued
to make his home until his death.
When thu Democrats defeated the RepubIi-
cans in 1874 and had control OF thu House Of
ar.r .f.Y
eraI Pettus was offered the United states SEN
utOrship, but declined, no did many other
offers Of political advancement. He was. how
ever. fearless and aggressive politician and
was the chairman ON the committee of resoIu-
tons Of every Democratic state convention for
more years than most persons can remember.
and he author of every Democrats plat
form in Alabama after the war lie was an
ardent supporter Of free silver. and an Old line
JaCksonjan Democrat.
The story OF how he at last came TO accent
political Office is probably apochryphaI but is so
characteristic that IL ought % he true II is said
and widely believed. that in 1894 he desired an
appointment 10 the federal bench in Alabama
and asked the support Of his Senator. James L.
Pugh.
"Why. Pettus" Pugh is stated 10 have said
what pat into YOUR head this notion Of running
for Office You are altogether too cid. We want
young men ON the bench
Well. may not be young enough for the
bench, but I'm not too old 90 go To the Senate 60
Mr. PettuS is said 10 have replied.
Whether the incident occurred as narrated ~
not, i'm three years the aged lawyer was Cerupv-
ing Senator Pugha seat IN the upper House
In 1897 Colonel Fettus was elected To the Sen
at. lie was then seventy-six years old and
was considered by his friends as in his third
youthful period He was reelected in 1908 for
the term which expires in 1906? and again elect
ct for the term ending TN 1915 a the last session
Of the Alabama legislature
At the time Of his recollection IN 1893 the
LeSisIS ture unanimously set aside a law as old
as the state which requires that Senator-elec1
shall appear in person t. accept his election
Senator Pettus was marked figure in the
national capital and in the Senate. lie wore
shabby clothes. although he was a man OF large
means. was an inyeteratr Chewer of tobacco and
paid little attention To socjety'S conventions
not because he sCorued them. but because he
would not take the trouble to observe them
He v-aS nevertheless. a man Of great learnfne- /
with long life accumulation Of experience in
state and national politics and with an aIertness
in making use of ii that his advancing wears
leagues who could match him in brightness of /
Of him that he never made a stupid remark i'm
his whole political career. When he could not
find an appropriate word he would coin one
Although the Oldest &enatOr III point of years. /
he until recently Of the most active .
members of the upper house. His humorous
speech Porto Rican affairs. delivered in 1909.
kept the Senate I'm roars OF laughter for nearly
an hour, and has gone on record a classic
Senator Pettus married in 1914 Miss MARY =
Chapman. of Alabama. Mrs. Pettus died last
year. after slxty-two years OF married life.