Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1909-07-31
JUDGE LUCAS DIES
IN CHARLES TOWN
Famous Lawyer Had a Long and
Notable Career.
UNITED STATES SENATOR,
SUPREME COURT JUDGE

Preceded Former Senator Faulkner
IN The Upper House of Congress-
Was Well Known in MartInsburs,
Where He Practieed His Profession
For Many Years.
Judge Daniel +. Lucas, one OF the
most distinguished citizens OF West
Virginia, died at his home, Ryon Hall,
in Charles Town. Saturday, after be
ing sick for several weeks. Judge
Lucas, known as the poet of Shenan
doah Valley, was born at Charles
Town on March 16. 1895. After at
tending number OF private acade
mics he went to the University OF Vir
ginia, during the session OF 1851 and
1852 and remained there for four
years, when he was graduated He
then entered the law school OF Judge
John w. Brook and was graduated
from there and commenced practlcing
law in his native place In the spring
of 1859.
AT the beginning OF the following
year he removed to Richmond, Va,
and was a resident OF that city when
the Civil war broke out He joined
the STAFF OF Gen. Henry A. Wise June.
1861, and served with him through
QUE the campaign in the valley which
terminated October, 1861
Judge Lucas poems. many OF which
were written during the war. early at
tracted attention.
He ian the blockade to Canada, leav
ing Richmond June !. 1865. in order
to assist In the defense OF Capt John
Yates Bell, college friend OF his
youth, who was tried as spy at
Governors Island by court martial,
and who was condemned and executed
February "a. 1865. =
Captain Bells defense was conduct
ed by the famous lawyer, John p.
Brady Mr. Lucas not having been
permitted by General Dix. command
ment of the detachment, to take part
in his schoolmat's defense. remained
in Canada for the next few months,
and there wrote. shortly after the sur
render OF General Lee, his celebrated
poem entitled 1.-THE Land Where We
Were Dreaming" which was publish
ed first In the Montreal 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" un
till 1870. On regaining his practice he
entered into partnership with Judge
Thomas B. Green. who was afterward
made president OF the Court OF Ap
peals of West Virginia.
In 1884 and 1886 he was elected to
the legislature from Jefferson county.
His most notable act was his resist
ance to the caucus which proposed
to re elect Senator John M. Camden.
president OF the Standard Oil Co, OF
West Virginia, to the United States
senate. In speech delivered In Joint
assembly February IA, 1887. Judge
Lucas denounced the denomination OF
a packed coucus. This speech was ex
tensively copied by the press through
out the country and settled the con
test and Mr.. Camden was defeated.
On March 5, 1887. Judge Lucas was
appointed United States senator by
Governor Wilson. The legislature re
assembled in special session the fol
lowing April and elected Charles J
Faulkner Of this city, as senator
Judge lucas was prominent can
didate for congress In 1882. at which
convention the late William l.. Wilson
was nominated.
On December 5. 1889. on the death
OF Judge Green, Judge Lucas was ap
pointed to fill the vacancy on the
bench OF the Supreme Court OF Ap
peals of his state and was re elected
by handsome majority In 1890. He
always took an active part In politics,
but during the last few years he lived
retired life. He Is survived by a |
widow, who before marriage was a
Miss Brooks, and one daughter Miss
Virginia Lucas.
Judge Lucas was we'll known in |
MartInsburg. where for number OF /
years he maintained a law office and
practicef In the local court. He was
associated with Attorney F. Vernon
Aler, Of this city. for several years
under the firm name of Lucas & Aler
His last appearance in the Circuit
court here was about five years ago.
Stag Supper.