Richmond daily register. (Richmond, Madison County, Ky.) 1917-1978, 1919-10-27


navy. That both the father and son,
whose memory we are celebrating to-
day, were worthy and gifted descend.
ants Of the Virginia line, just referred
TO, may be better shown by quoting
from documents, penned by their
contemporaries and those who were
intimately associated with them in
ljfesS pilgrimage.
II tAe 81 years both Col. w.
H C1perton and Col. James w.
CaperSon were employed in many Of
TIE most important cases before the
courts Of the state; and were. as
sociated with the first lawyers Of
their day, either on the same side or
as opposing counsel.
Gen. Cassius M. Clay, Jan. 21st,
1889, wrote: "1 cannot forget your
noble father, William H. Caperton,
who was so distinguished as a pro-
found lawyer; and who stood unsur-
passed in his day Of eminent men as
a popular orator. He was my friend
from the time ] first entered politi-
tical life till his DEATH"
Judge Flanagan-1903-wrote:
"While in Richmond missed the
old lawyers that once belonged to the
Bar there, viz: Col. w. H. Caperton,
Maj. Squire Turner, Judge Daniel
Breck, Col. Speed Smith" "What .
strong Bar Il was when the four
named lawyers were the leaders.
They made q state and national rep
utation by their proper attainments
in their profession. They helped to
make much Of jurisprudence that
adorns the annals Of the Kentucky
reports in the early and middle of the
last century, which fact is amply at
tested by an examination of said re-
ports. The learning and research
they displayed is wonderful Even
at this day no one practicing law in
Kentucky can afford to ignore their
work as it appears in the volumin-
Gus reports in the Bibbs, Marshalls
and Duvalls. Among Kentucky's
eminent lawyers none were more gift
ed than Col. VIM. H. Caperton in in
tellect and person. He was born
orator, and possessed brilliant tai
ents. He was great lawyer and an
earnest advocate. He bestowed much
care on his pleadings, and so perfect
were they constructed as to be al
most invincible. His features were
handsome and his form graceful. He
would have been esteemed in any
community in which he mingled, for
the rare gifts that so distinguished
him."
Judge James Flanagan of Win
chester to Col. James w. Caperton,
June 18th, 1904, wrote:
~ am gratified to assure you that
the dedication Of the Huston monu-
ment was success in every repect.
Col. Breckenridge never made a
greater speech. It gave me great
pleasure to listen to his tribute to
your father, Col. VIM. H. Caperton,
for it was as deserved as it was sim
cere. Gen. Huston was probably
more intimate with Col. w. H. Cap
erton than with any other of his
contemporaries. They were more
"There was a galaxy of advocates in
the former district Of which Clark
county was q part, consisting of Col.
W.. H. Caperton, Garrett Davis, James
F. Robinson and Gen. John B. Hus-
ton, who combined together in
case were almost invincible."
Judge A. R. Burnam, April 20,
1909:
"Col. VIM. H. Caperton was the
foremost jury advocate of his time,
and in the contest of his day measured
with Henry Clay, John G.
Mat Johnson, Richard
A. Buckner and was easily the peer
Of any of them"
Mai. Curtis F. Bunam in 1852 and
again in 1905 wrote:
"Col. VIM. HI. Caperton was a
thoroughly trained lawyer, and one
Of the most eloquent of orators. His
professional life. was full and COM
plete on the Circuit and before the.
Appellate Court. He was not only
a great lawyer but on the political
stump he was a brilliant speaker In
social life he was charming man.
He was member of the state Legis-
ature in 1928 and was appointed by
President Taylor, United States Dis
,rict Attorney for Kentucky, when
he State had only one district. I
had sincere admiration for Col. Cap
,erton as friend and kinsman. BY
Col. Caperton was united
lirectly and collaterally to very
arge number Of the most prominent
md distinguished people in the west,
south and east-by all of whom his
'ame was valued as a large part Of
he family wealth and distinction"
Perhaps the warmest friend of Col
Wm. HI. Caperton among his associ-
ties at the Bar, was Judge Richard
A. Buckner, until very advanced
lge a lawyer, and distinguished citi-
ZEN at Lexington. A few years be-
ore his death, he wrote a tribute to
Jol. VIM. H. Caperton, which ex-
present an esteem rendered to but few
men. The writer Of this article re-
yrets not being able to find it.
Col. James w. Caperton
OF Col. Jas. W. Caperton, Judge j.
}. Hunt of Lexington wrote on April |
8, 1909: /
'In former years when ] was Judge |
# the Court in Richmond, I was |
associated with Col. Caper-
on and formed for him a warm
and regard. He was a
nan who drew his friends close to |
lin, and he richly deserved the re-
ipect and love SO widely entertained
'or him II xuao nva of t1noa xxyI,o |