Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1909-07-29
Judge Daniel B. Lucas Dead.

Hon. Daniel Bedinger Lucas, one of
West Virginia's most distinguished citi-
zens, died at his home, Rion Hall, Charles
Town district, last Saturday afternoon,
aged 70 years. He had been falling
gradually during the past year, and his
death was not unexpected. Judge Lucas,
who was born in Charles Town March 10,
1896, was member of one of the noted
families OF our section. He was de-
scendant OF Robert Lucas. who came from
England to America in 1919 and settled in
Pennsylvania. Edward Lucas, son OF
Robert, came to Virginia some time after
1870 and took up large tract OF splendid
land at the headwaters of Rattlesnake run,
near Shepherdstown, considerable part
of which is yet owned by the Lucas fam
lily, Judge Lucas being the owner OF Cold
Spring farm at the time OF his death.
Edward Lucas was the father of Robert
Lucas, who was born in l766, and whose
son, William Lucas, was the father OF
Judge Lucas. Both Robert and William
Lucas represented the valley district in
Congress, the latter serving two terms,
from 1899 to 1913. When William Lucas
died in 1877 he bequeathed his Rion Hall
estate to his only surviving child, Daniel
B. Lucas, whose home it has since been.
Judge Lucas began his education pri-
vate schools and academies, later attend
ing the University OF Virginia, where he
graduated in 1856, being the valedictorian
of his class. He spent three years in the
law school of Judge Brockenbough at
Lexington, Va, and after graduating there
returned to Charles Town. He remained
here but one year, when he went TO Rich
mond in 1860 to practice law. When the
Civil War began he joined the staff of Gen.
Henry A. Wise, in June, 1861, and served
with him throughout the campaign in the
Kanawha valley, which terminated Octo-
Der, 1861. He ran the blockade TO Can
ada, leaving Richmond June /, 1865, in
order to assist in the defense of Capt.
John Yates Beall, college friend OF his
youth, who was tried as spy at Gov
ernor's Island by court-martial, and
who was condemned and executed Feb
ruary "a, 1865. Captain Beall's defense
was conducted by the famous lawyer,
John p. Brady. Mr. Lucas not having
been permitted by General Dix, CONF
mandant of the detachment, to take part
in his schoolmate'S defense, remained in
Canada for the next few months, and there
wrote, shortly after the surrender OF Cen
eral Lee, his celebrated poem, entitled
"The Land Where We were Dreaming"
which was published first in the Montreal
Gazette and afterward reproduced in
many papers in England and the United
States. Judge Lucas returned to West
Virginia shortly after the close OF the war,
but was not allowed to practice his pro-
fession by the "test oath" until 1870. On
regaining his practice he entered into
partnership with Judge Thomas B. Green.
In 1884 and 1886 Judge Lucas was
elected to the Legislature from Jefferson
county, where he became especially
prominent because Of his opposition to
the denomination Of Senator N. Camden
He bolted the caucus, with several other
Democrats, and eventually Mr.. Camden
was defeated The Legislature having
failed to elect a United States Senator,
Governor Wilson appointed Judge Lucas
to this high office, and he served until
the Legislature in special session in April
elected Charles J. Faulkner On Decem-
Der 5, 1889, on the death of Judge Green,
Judge Lucas was appointed to fill the va
cancy on the bench Of the Supreme Court
of Appeals of this State and was reelected
by handsome majority in 1890.
Judge Lucas was man OF greatllterary
ability as we'll as an orator Of reputation.
He was the author OF a number OF poems
of beauty and merit and published various
pamphlets from time to time, among them
being the memoirs of John Yates Beall
and a sketch of James RumSey. He was
noted as a lawyer, and as long as he
practiced had large clientele. AS
criminal lawyer he has had few equals,
and was very successful in winning his
cases. His service was sought from far
and near. His ingenuity and his power
as an orator, his keen insight and his legal
ability gave him first rank as a member
of the bar. He always took great interest
in political affairs, being a prominent
Democrat, and was known in every sec
ton OF West Virginia.
In 1866 Judge Lucas married Miss Lena
Tucker Brooke, great-niece OF John
Randolph, of Roanoke. She survives him,
together with one daughter, Miss Virginia
Lucas.
Judge Lucas was well-known in Shep-
herdstown, having many relatives in this
vicinity. He was one OF the founders OF
the Rumseyan Society and was its presi-
dent from the time of its organization UNI
til his death.
The funeral service was held in Zion
Episcopal Church, Charles Town, on
Monday, and was conducted by Rev. J.
S. Alfriend, assisted by Rev. DR.. A. C..
Hopkins. The body was inferred in the
| Episcopal graveyard.