upon the locality where he so long lived, as also upon the State.

CYRUS WALKER.

Of one whom I knew well-and who, though he did not reside in Iowa, was a most prominent lawyer in the southeastern courts from say 1843 to 1852 or 1853, I must say a word. I refer to Cyrus Walker, of Illinois.

He first plead in the defense of William Ross for the shooting of Bradstreet in Burlington,-case tried in Fairfield. For years after he tried very many of the most important cases in Lee, Des Moines, Henry, Jefferson, Van Buren and occasionally in Wapello if not in Davis counties. He had leng been a leading lawyer in Illinois,-was of Kentucky stock and his turning to Iowa for awhile grew out of the fact that his relations with Judge Stephen A. Douglas then on the bench were such that he wished not to practice there while he held the place.

I have said he was of Kentucky stock, and he had that familiarity with land law and equity proceedings which in those days so particularly characterized the profession in that state. A man when I first knew him, say forty-five years of age of good size and presence, the most affable manner-a musical voice-gentlemanly and courtly in all his relations to court, bar and people-of the best habits-ready command of language unusually apt and happy in his illustrations-a thorough scholar in the law-of varied information and broad culture-plausible-strong in argument and logic-he was, I need not say, a recognized power whether before court or jury. I was then young, and making due allowance for my admiration in this younger life, for those of his ability and high attainments, I nevertheless say that as I now remember him he was the most effective talker to a jury, had a larger fund of wit and more ability in the ready and happy presentation of questions and cases to a court than any man I ever met. I know there are those who did not and do not estimate him so high,-but this in brief is my opinion of Cyrus Walker. How often have I listened to him and asked,

is it possible that I can ever even approximate him in eloquence of statement-force and originality of argument-ease and style of manner and apparent fairness in stating, meeting and overthrowing the pleas and arguments of opposite counsel? Though a good land and equity lawyer, he was sought for and had retainers in almost every criminal case of any magnitude.

I have occasion to remember his helpful hand when we were, as often, together, and then, too, his sledge-hammer logic and unequalled plausibility when on opposite sides.

Among the last cases I remember in which we were associated was that of another Ross (brother of William) for the killing of David Wright in Ottumwa at the time of a public sale of lands belonging to the Des Moines River Improvement grant. He was tried on change of venue in Union county. J. C. Hall, Mr. Walker, my partner (Judge Knapp) and myself for the defense-the District Attorney-assisted by Augustus Hall, Brumfield and perhaps another for the prosecution. It lasted a week, was most hotly contested, and yielding due praise to others, I have always thought that the acquittal of our client was at least to a large extent due to the tact in cross examination, the adroitness with which he enabled us to meet every question and the masterly argument to the jury of the eloquent man of whom I am now speaking. Always the soul of honor-ever respectful to court, jury and opposite counsel-a suave manner and plausibility that captivated if it not always convinced by its force-never misstating the testimony or attempting to mislead the court-he threw doubts if he did not break down all opposite theories and views and carried a jury almost nolens volens. The case referred to will be long remembered in and about Wapello and Monroe counties, and not a few yet remember how ef fective was his work in that most memorable judicial contest. The jury was out all night and even longer-then hung, as we afterward learned, by one recalcitrant "good and lawful man" who nearly brought about a new trial but who finally, at a late hour Sunday morning, surrendered, and Ross was acquitted.

But I will not say more of this grand man. I allow much for my youthful admiration for his, to me, peculiar mannergreat power as an advocate-and his high character as a gentleman and citizen-and yet cannot but express the truth that the profession, though full of good, honorable and strong men, had none like him in all that goes to make the gentleman, the lawyer and the truest manhood.

Let me add parenthetically, and as well here as elsewhere, as tending to show the currency in which we then dealt and how our fees were paid, that on that trip when myself and partner got home, we had beside the horse we were driving, six others, two of them as part return for our work in the Ross case and the others picked up from other clients or paid for in notes of hand for still others. Then horses were legal tender almost-were very cheap-but you could turn them into money or in the payment of debts (and we often needed them for the latter!) about as readily as any other property. Think of two young lawyers passing through the county with six horses led by the side of one driven, and behind. If seen now there would be not a few surprised people ready to believe that more than one man's barn or pasture had been entered!

But we were never arrested nor a question made as to our title. For as we could not get money-it was not to be had— we took horses or goods or whatsoever our clients could pay. If money was scarce so fees were low-and in a spirit of accommodation all classes managed to live and let live. We seldom closed the work of a term without a horse or horses as the fruit of our toil. Or, if not a horse, then goods or something else which could be used by ourselves or familiesall of what we could use and which clients could better and

easier pay than money. Barter was the order of the day, and all classes-preachers, lawyers and doctors-all alike accepted the situation.

Once, I remember, fall of 1842, I had just returned from a trip on which I had been paid in cloth for an overcoat which 1 much needed. A neighbor, to whom I owed ten dollars, and I believe more, called and asked for money to buy some goods,

or an order to the store. On inquiry I found that he wanted an overcoat (no ready made goods then) and I turned over to him the pattern I had. He had a new coat and I wore the old one. But I paid that much of my debt. He was happy and so was I. We were both young and unmarried, and though I occasionally felt a little hurt through the winter as he sported his new wrap, I have long since forgiven the willing spoliation!

DAVENPORT,

Wednesday, November 13, 1839.

Saturday, Nov. 9, a fine day. A meeting was held at 11 o'clock, to appoint a committee to receive the remains of our deceased friend, the Hon. Wm. B. Conway, Secretary of the Territory of Iowa, who died at Burlington, on the 6th. As soon as arrangements were made, and the meeting adjourned, the steamer Ione, hove in sight, with the corpse, accompanied by Hon. J. W. Parker, of the Council and Hon. J. M. Robertson, of the House of Representatives. The corpse was taken to the Catholic church where the funeral service was performed by the Rev. Mr. Pelamough [Pelamourgues].—The body was then removed to the private cemetery of the deceased, accompanied by a large concourse of citizens, from Rockingham, Davenport, and the surrounding country.-Iowa Sun, Davenport, November 13, 1839.

Rail-Road from Lake Michigan to Mississippi River.The citizens of Dubuque, Wisconsin, have held a large meeting to adopt measures for obtaining from Congress an appropriation for the survey and location of a Rail-Road from Lake Michigan to the Mississippi River. The resolutions state that it is desirable that the road should be directed to the United States lead mines, and thus a great chain of communication be formed between the extreme eastern point of the Union across the Mississippi to the Missouri river.-Albany, N. Y.-The Jeffersonian, May 26, 1838.

JEFFERSON COUNTY POLITICS BEFORE THE CIVIL

WAR.'

BY HON. CHARLES J. FULTON.

THE BUCHANAN-FREMONT-FILLMORE CAMPAIGN.

In the elections of county and State in 1854 the Whigs were victorious. Within twelve months the futility of the Whig party as a National force was generally perceived. Its members no longer possessed a common interest of sufficient importance to bind them together. Upon the pressing problem of the extension of slavery there was radical disagreement. In the other parties also, were divisions and discontent. The Democratic County Convention which met on June 30, 1855, as a preliminary to participation in its deliberations, required each delegate to "rise in his place and give a pledge that he was a Democrat and had no sympathy with Know Nothings." From each candidate or from his friends satisfactory statements were exacted that he was not a Know Nothing and would not join the order during his term of office should he be elected.

This procedure attracted caustic comment. Hostile partisans were quick to seize the opportunity it afforded them. It was asked why the "thumb-screw regulations" were not applied to that "secret oath-bound society," the "Sag Nichts." And the answer supplied was, "The Sag Nichts are patronized by the present administration and the Know Nothings are not." The Sag Nichts appealed to the prejudices of the foreign born just as the Know Nothings appealed to the prejudices of the native born.

The intensity of feeling actuating the Convention was shown in two resolutions upon which it set the seal of its approval. They were:

Resolved, That they are not all true Americans who are born in America; for among them are Monarchists, Federalists, fanatics,

From a forthcoming History of Jefferson County by Charles J. Fulton.