The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1913-10-24
As In a Looking Glass

An early philosopher discovered
that straight line is the shortest
distance between two points, and a
close observer shortly afterwards
learned that the things by the way
were of little use. If you want to
reach any particular place ascertain
its location and make bee line for
the spot. All these things were
handed down from father to son until
lineal descendant ran across Q. M.
Van Duyn and to him impaired the
truths OF success. Mr.. Van Duyn
took the advice seriously and we defy
you to find man who looks straight
ahead more persistently and consist
emily than does The. Even in walking
down the street there are few men
who keep their eyes fastened on the
destination more steadfastly than he
does. 1t may be that he sees the
things on either side, behind as well
as in front. If so he is never diverted:
This habit of looking straight ahead
has lead some people to think that
Van Duyn is a little stuck up as they
say-a little struck on himself as 1t
were. We are forced to think that
these people are mistaken but at the
same time admit that he has good oc-
casion to be if he wants OF. We i'm
agine that in early life he decided
that the sure way to success was by
going straight through. He practlc-
ed his theory until it became habit
and there you are. The theory has
worked out pretty well up to date.
According to the best. information
we are able to gather 0. M. Van Duyn
was born at Eugene, Oregon, Octo-
Der "a, 1874, making him on this par
ticular day 80 years OF age to the
minute. He attended the. public:
schools of Lane county until he had
absorbed everything that those
schools had to give. Afterwards he
was student for seven years at the
University of Oregon. He. was admit
ted to the bar in Oregon in 1928 and
after two years practice moved to
Nampa. We are convinced that IN
early youth Mr.. Van Duyn had one
eye on the profession OF the law and
the other on Nampa. Howsomever,
he has stayed with the law longer
than he did with Nampa, which shows
that it is we'll to swerve a little in
your course once in while. Mr..
Van Duyn lived at Nampa three years,
holding the position of city attorney
for one year While city attorney of
Nampa he was elected county attor-
new for Canyon county and moved to
Caldwell After moving to Caldwell
he was twice reelected county attor-
ney, resigning in 1910 to become as
sistant attorney general to which po-
sition he was appointed by Attorney
General D. c. McDougall. Mr. Nc
Dougall was reelected and Mr.. Van
Duyn remained in the Office until the
expiration of his. term About this
time the latter became convinced that
he could fill the Office of attorney gem
eral. Mr.. Joseph Peterson thought
otherwise and showed that Mr.. Van
Duyn was mistaken. The result was
that Van Duyn returned to Caldwell
and formed law partnership with
Mr.. R. B Scatterday and to. the
building up of the business of the
firm the two gentlemen are now de-
voting themselves and with the great
est success
AS county attorney and as assistant
attorney general Mr.. Van Duyn was
the leading attorney in a number OF
the most important cases ever tried IN
Idaho. He was county attorney when
Meyer, Haywood and Pettibone were
indicted for completely in the assassi-
nation of the late Governor Frank
Steunenberg. The prosecution estab-
lished the guilt of the accused men
but failed to secure conviction
Among the important cases he han
died as assistant attorney general
were Balderston VS.. Brady, which es-
tablished the legal status and owner
ship of sections l6 and SO of unsur-
veyed land; Kohny VS.. Dunbar. which
determined the states proportion OF
inheritance taxes; the insurance COM
ranies vs. Hattabaugh, which determ-
ined the qualifications for insurance
companies to do business in Idaho.
In this county he most successfully
prosecuted a number of important
criminal cases. He was recognized
as one of the best county attorneys
in the state and owing to his famil
iarity with the governmental proce-
dures of cities, schools, counties and
the state. was appointed to a high
position by General McDougall
Mr. Van Duyn is one of the most
popular. best known and most highly
respected men who have ever practiced
law in Idaho. He is particularly well
known and respected in Canyon coun-
ty. In fact he knows about every
body and everybody, including Bill
Fuller, knows him. In fact he has
number of acquaintance in the Idaho
Penitentiary. They may not be
warm personal friends, but that is
their fault, not his.
Nothing further ever having hap
pened to Mr. Van Duyn, except his
marriage, which took place at Port
land, June II, year not given, to one
| OF Oregon's most charming and &C
complished daughters. which has
| cometo our attention, we will have to
stop The reader is assured of fur
Their information on his life, work and
death as they come to pass.