Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1909-07-30

was at the old MI zisn Baptist church,
yard,
LUCAS.
IL is with profound sorrow tnat we
chronicle the death of the Hon. Daniel
Bedinger Lucas, which took plnee at
Ryon Hall, near lIalitowfi on the pike
leading from Gharlestown to Harper .
Ferry on last Saturday, July 70, 1909.
Judge Lucas was Born in Jefferson
county March Is, 1885 and was over
81 years of age
He was one of the ablest men the
state of West Virginia has ever pro-
duced. He graduated from the Vir-
ginia University about 1857 and stud
led law under Judge John w. Brook,
and was admitted to the bar in 1859,
the year of the John Brown Insurrec-
tien. He was probably The brightest
literary light the state has ever
claimed as citizen He wrote many
useful and interesting books which
are still very popular among which
are many beautiful, sweet poems,
which display rare genius.
In politics Judge Lucas was dem
oc.at and Until the last few years took
lively interest in state affairs.
Though unfortunately deformed and
naturally slight in stature he was an
inteIle stuai giant aud being man of
courage OF his convictions under all
circumstances he was recognized in
politics as fighter par excellence.
Though frequently defeated in conven-
tiors, the opposition always knew he
was there and never escaped without
feeling that they had been in fight.
Among the most valuable books
from the gifted pen fudge Lucas, IL
the life of John Yates Beaii, his school
mate and life long friend, which book
is in our public library.
Judge Lucas wasiiving in Richmond
when the war between the states broke
out.
He joined the staff Of Gen. Henry A.
Wise June, 1861, aud served W til him
throrgl the campaign IN the valley
which terminated October, 1861.
Judge Lucas poems, many ofwhlch
were written during the war, early at
tracted attention
He ran the blockade to Canada, leav-
ing Richmond Jan. / 1865, in order TO
assist in the defense of Capt. John
Yates Ball, college friend tf his
youth, who was tried as spy at Gov
ernor's Island by court martial, and
who was condemned and exec uted
February "a, 1860.
Capt. Bells defense was conducted
by the famous sawyer, John Z. Brady.
Mr.. III c not aving been permitted
by General Dix, comma 1dant OF the
detachment to take part in his school
mates defense, remained i Il Canada for
shortly after the surrender Of General
Lee, his celebrated poem entitled "The
Land Where We Were Dreaming
which was published first in the VI :
treat Gazette and afterward reproduced
In many papers in England and the
United States.
Judge Lucas returned to West Vir-
ginia shortly after the close of the war,
but was not allowed to practice his
profession by the ''test OATH until
1870. On regaining his practice he en-.
tered into partnership with Judge
Thomas G. Green, who was afterward
made president of the Court of Appeals
of West Virginia.
Ia 1884 and 1886 he was elected to
the Legislature from Jefferson county.
His most notable act was his resist
ance to the coucus which proposed to
re-elect Senator j. n. Camden,
president of the Standard OIL Co., of
West Virginia, to the United States
senate. In speech delivered in Joint
assembly February Ii, 1887.
Judge Lucas denounced the denom-
ination of packed concus. The speech
was extensively copied by the press
. IL rnt fat,s.trv nd =