USA > Alabama > Reminiscences of public men in Alabama : for thirty years, with an appendix > Part 61
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Mr. Baker was a Georgian, and when he entered public life, he was classed with the young men, though he had passed a little beyond that circle. His earlier years were spent in overcoming difficulties which lie in the way of the less-favored in the start of life. He was a decided Whig, and his influence was felt and seen, not only in the councils of that party, but in the Legislature. He possessed a ready, quick mind, that at once grappled with a prop- osition, and a boldness of manner in debate which assured all of his convictions, and his readiness to avow them. In his ordinary deportment, he was somewhat reserved, and he seemed rather to court seclusion than social companionship. From my first acquaint- ance with him, in 1847, he looked like an invalid, and was seldom in what might be called a fair state of health. He fell a victim to his devotion to the Southern cause, in the manner which has been already stated.
E. R. FLEWELLEN, of Barbour, a Georgian by birth and edu- cation, was elected in 1851 by the Southern Rights party, and was a Senator and gentleman of fine representative character of that class of Southern feeling. He was a planter, unused before to the practical business of legislation, but was well-informed, and con- versed well, and was ready in debate, especially on the political questions then agitating the public mind. In legislative and social ranks, he was regarded with much favor and respect. He served only one session, and retired to the enjoyments of private life, which he preferred, and for which he was eminently fitted by his intelligence and urbanity. He occupies a very respectable position as a citizen, and member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.
JOHN T. HEFFLIN, of Randolph, represented that county and Tallapoosa in 1851 in the Senate, which was his only session in the Legislature; but his position was a respectable one, and he exerted no little influence in the political deliberations of that exciting session.
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Reminiscences of Public Men in Alabama.
His father, Wyatt Hefflin, represented Randolph for many years; and the son studied law, and in early practice resided, at Wedowee, where he continued many years. He exhibited from the start a close, discriminating legal mind, and made haste slowly to assert his rights to a higher place in his profession. He was elected to the Circuit Court bench, in which station he sustained himself and the public good by his profound legal knowledge, and his pure administration of justice.
Judge Hefflin was a Democrat, and exerted a large influence in the counsels and measures of that party. Since the war he has been largely and profitably engaged in the practice of the law, residing at Talladega. After spending a part of his manhood in the circle of bachelors, he, a few years ago, married Mrs. Bowdon, an accomplished lady, widow of the Hon. F. W. Bowdon.
W. P. LESLIE was born in Monroe county, in 1819; was raised on a farm until his eighteenth year, when he became clerk in a store for two years. Thence he went to Claiborne, and read law in the office of A. B. Cooper, Esq., for about two years, and in 1840 or 1841, he was admitted to the bar. He soon formed a partnership with W. B. H. Howard, Esq., and settled in Sparta, Conecuh county, to practice his profession. After remaining there about two years, he returned to Claiborne in the Spring of 1843, where he formed a partnership with Mr. Cooper, which continued until 1850, when Mr. Cooper removed to Wilcox county. He then formed a partnership with Judge R. C. Torrey, which lasted until Mr. Leslie went into the army, in 1861. In April, 1847, he married a daughter of W. A. Agee, of Monroe county, now deceased.
The professional career of Mr. Leslie was marked by great energy and zeal in behalf of his clients, a business capacity rarely equaled, and a discriminating legal mind of rare order, which would have placed him in the front rank, had he devoted himself exclusively to the practice. But his mind was too expansive to confine himself to the dull formula of law. It needed something more exciting. Politics was one of the outlets, and engaged his mind to a greater or less extent. He was an ardent and enthu- siastic Whig, following the lead of Henry Clay, whom he greatly admired, on the Compromise measures. He was nominated in 1851 as the Union candidate to represent the District composed of the counties of Monroe, Covington, and Conecuh, in the Senate. He was elected, and served during the session of 1851, exhibiting the same interest for his consituents in public life that marked his career as a professional advocate for his clients.
Mr. Leslie always had a fondness for practical affairs, and the development of the resources of the country. In 1838, he erected
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Reminiscences of Public Men in Alabama.
a public ware-house on the bluff of the Alabama River, by which he made a good deal of money. Imbued with the same spirit of enterprise and improvement, in 1859, he erected, at Claiborne, extensive engines and machinery, at a great outlay, for the manu- facture of hubs, spokes, chairs, wagons, furniture, etc. For this purpose, he secured a large number of the best workmen and mechanics from Europe and the Northern States-such as turners, trimmers, painters, wheelrights, blacksmiths, cabinet-makers, etc., and had just got his factory fairly under headway when the war broke out. This destroyed his business, and dispersed his work- men, leaving on his hands a large quantity of materials, which had to be sacrificed, and his machinery left idle.
Though Mr. Leslie was a Union man, and opposed to secession, when the war actually raged, his impetuous nature did not allow him to remain at home; but he sought the excitement of the army. In the Fall of 1861, he raised a company of artillery, principally from Monroe county-drawing largely from his private means-and volunteered as a private, but was assigned to the second lieutenantcy. He remained in service until some time in 1863, when he was relieved in consequence of ill-health.
After the close of the war, he sold out the remnant of his former large property in Monroe county, and, in 1866, removed to East Pascagoula, where he erected on the bay a large steam saw and planing mill.
On a visit to Mobile on business, in October, 1867, Mr. Leslie contracted the yellow fever, which prevailed there, and, after his return home, he died, on the 10th of that month-leaving a widow and six children. After his death, his valuable mills, with large quantities of lumber, were consumed by fire; and thus per- ished the product of incessant labors for many years.
Mr. Leslie left many friends in Monroe county, and elsewhere in Alabama. He.was esteemed a man of undoubted honesty, res- olute will, indomitable energy, and of clear practical sense. He was equal to all the emergencies of life as a planter, lawyer, poli- tician, and promoter of public enterprises. He was liberal, gen- erous, and charitable, but of great firmness and decision of character.
DR. JOEL E. PEARSON, of Pickens, was a Representative first in 1839. Afterwards, he was several years engaged in business, and in the practice of his profession, in Mobile. He was repeat- edly elected to the House, and in 1851 he succeeded Dr. Beckett in the Senate, which was his last session.
Dr. Pearson was a South Carolinian, highly cultivated in mind and in manners, which made his society agreeable and profitable. He was modest and unpretending, so that he seldom occupied the
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Reminiscences of Public Men in Alabama.
floor in speaking, though noted for his diligence and attention to business. He was a Democrat, but liberal in his views, and tol- erant of the opinions of others. He was popular without seeking public favor, and seldom failed of a large vote when his name was before the people. He was a gentleman of whose acquaintance and friendship one loves to think, after the separation. He died several years ago.
DR. GEORGE G. PERRINE, of Greene, had served in 1844 in the House, and in 1851 he took the place of Mr. Murphy in the Senate. He was a faithful member, and guarded with care the outgoings from the Treasury, as knowing from whence the money came, for he was a large tax-payer himself, and represented much taxable property. He was well-educated and highly intelligent, with a very pleasant, gentlemanly address, and was a physician and planter of large influence. In person he was tall and slender.
Serving in the House of Representatives at the session of 1851, there were a number of gentlemen who then made their first ap- pearance in public life, and others had much legislative experience.
JAMES M. ARMSTRONG, of Lawrence, was a Democrat, elected in 1851 as favorable to the Compromise measures, although he allied himself with the organization of his party. Before doing this, he delivered a speech in the House in which he denounced the doctrine of secession as a heresy, which gave offense at the time to good many of that faith; but he said he could not do less, with his opinions and position at home, and he was allowed the credit of being honest and sincere in his views.
Mr. Armstrong was placed upon the ticket. as an Elector, and canvassed his District in 1852 in the interest of Pierce and King, and voted in the College of Electors for these gentlemen. He possessed qualities of a solid character, and was looked upon as giving promise in the future; but in a year or two he died, just as he was entering upon a busy, and may be prosperous life. He made a good impression during his short service in the Legis- lature.
WILLIAM M. BYRD, of Marengo, a native of Tennessee, settled at Linden as a lawyer, and succeeded in establishing a fine prac- tice. He was a Whig in principle, but liberal toward those who differed in opinion ; and conservative in his views. Hence he was in favor of abiding by the Compromise measures of Congress on the Territorial question, and as such he was elected in 1851. He occupied a highly respectable position in the House, especially when legal principles were discussed.
.
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Reminiscences of Public Men in Alabama.
Mr. Byrd afterward removed to Selma in the practice of his pro- fession, and in 1863 was elected Chancellor of the Middle Divis- ion. In 1865, upon the reorganization of the State, he was elected to a seat on the Bench of the Supreme Court, which office he held until displaced by the reconstruction measures of Congress. He still resides at Selma, a profound jurist, and a gentleman of high social position. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and was a lay delegate to the General Conference of that Church at Memphis, in 1870.
RUFUS H. CLEMENTS, of Tuskaloosa, served at the session of 1851, elected to the House as a Democrat, upon a divided ticket- his colleagues being Whigs. He was raised and educated in the county that gave him his first honors, and, without aspiring to fur- ther position, he has maintained the character of a high-toned gentleman and planter. His age and modesty prevented his par- ticipating extensively in legislative proceedings; but he established firm and pleasant relations among his fellow-members, and in gen- eral society, by an easy, affable courtesy and intercourse, such as a Southern gentleman can exhibit. In 1852 he married Miss Bug- bee, of Montgomery, a very accomplished and beautiful young lady, daughter of Judge F. Bugbee.
HENRY W. Cox, of Coosa, was a member only at the session of 1851. He was a lawyer, somewhat advanced in years. His early opportunities were limited, but by patient perseverance he succeeded over many difficulties in getting to the bar. He was a Whig, but high-strung in notions of Southern rights, and the dan- gers of their security which he always apprehended. He had no concessions to make on this point, and as early as 1851 he was a secessionist in feeling. Hence, with an increase of convictions, the crisis of 1860 found him ready, and he was a candidate for the Convention, and advocated secession direct, but was defeated.
As soon as the indications pointed to hostilities, Mr. Cox was in the field, and was the first to volunteer, assisted in raising a com- pany, in which he held a subordinate office. In one of the battles of Virginia he was wounded in the mouth, and returned home for recovery. His age (upwards of fifty years) and the care of an aged mother and two sisters (he was a bachelor) were presented to him by his friends as reasons why he should remain at home. But his convictions of duty to the Southern cause made him deaf to all such appeals, and he returned to his post, having in the mean- time been promoted to the rank of Captain. In the first battle, while leading his company in a charge, he was killed, and sealed upon the field, in the face of his enemies, his devotion to his na- tive South.
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Reminiscences of Public Men in Alabama.
He was firm in his views and purposes, even to obstinacy ; but he took his positions after carefully examining a question, and without bigotry or intolerance toward others, he maintained the stand he had taken. His bravery, and the sacrifice of himself in the support of his principles, entitle him to a place in the recol- lections of his survivors in the fearful struggle.
N. S. GRAHAM, of Coosa, was elected in 1851 as a Southern Rights Democrat, and cooperated efficiently with that wing of the party throughout the session, taking a prominent rank for a new member. He was raised in Alabama, and completed his educa- tion at Princeton College, New Jersey. He studied law, and settled in the practice at Wetumpka. By the force of his charac- ter and legal attainments, he took a high rank at the bar, and secured the favorable regard of the people.
In the canvass of 1851, Mr. Graham, as the acknowledged head of the ticket associated with him, took the lead in discussion before the people, and sustained his cause, and his powers as a debater, to the satisfaction of a large majority in the county who voted for it. In 1855, the people called him out to combat Know-Nothingism, and he was again placed at the head of his ticket, and took the lead in the canvass. His efforts upon the stump, to crowded audi- ences, were bold, logical and masterly, and after an exciting con- test, he was again elected by a large majority. He carried into the Legislature experience and maturity, which placed him on favorable ground, and he took an active, leading part in the delib- erations of that exciting session. Not long afterward, he removed to Tuskegee, as a wider field for the exercise of his legal talents, where he now resides, engaged in the practice of the law.
ANDREW ISBELL HENSHAW, of Clarke, a graduate of the Uni- versity of Alabama, was a member, and served only through the session of 1851. He belonged to the Union wing of the Demo- cratic party, and was warmly in favor of the compromise measures as a guaranty of future peace and security to the South. While this question was up in the House, he made a speech, reviewing the progress of this controversy between the North and the South, in which he exhibited a thorough knowledge of the issues involved, and gained a good deal of character for one so young, and a new member. He was quite animated in debate, and becoming excited, he was somewhat extravagant in manner and gesticulation-all, however, in consonance with his subject.
Mr. Henshaw was pleasant in conversation, and altogether agree- able in his social relations. He was related to the gentleman of that name who was President Fillmore's Secretary of the Navy, from Boston, and was regarded as opulent in a pecuniary sense,
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Reminiscences of Public Men in Alabama.
and withal a good citizen. He died a few years ago, by the time he had attained the meridian of life.
DR. C. C. HOWARD, of Autauga, was elected upon a Southern Rights issue. He was a Whig according to the old party distinc- tions, but separated himself from the great body of that party upon this question. He was a young man, well informed, and a ready, good speaker, and participated freely in the debates of the session, with credit to himself and his constituents. He is a gen- tleman of extensive reading, and exemplary in all the walks .of life as a citizen, physician, and a Christian.
FRANCIS S. JACKSON, of Montgomery, was first a candidate for Solicitor of the Eighth Circuit in 1838. He was then a young man, and brought into the contest some local advantages of family influence in different counties. The office was eagerly sought by several young gentlemen, supported by their friends, which made the contest animated, if not exciting. The training was kept up for three weeks, when the candidates announced themselves ready. The following ballots exhibit the strength of the parties in the contest :
1st.
2d.
3d.
4th.
5th.
6th.
Francis S. Jackson
36
37
39
44
53
70
Walter L. Coleman
23
25
29
26
21
*
J. McCaleb Wiley
16
11
*
George L. Barry
25
24
23
23
10
*
Jefferson Buford
21
24
27
28
34
50
* Withdrawn.
So Mr. Jackson was elected. I was Clerk of the House at the time, and seldom have witnessed such an exciting struggle be- tween young men in a Convention of the two Houses; and it is worthy of note, that all of them were destined to occupy promi- nent situations in the future. Of Mr. Buford and Mr. Wiley, notice has already been taken.
At the session of 1838, Gen. John P. Booth, the brother-in-law of Mr. Jackson, was elected Judge of the same Circuit, a circum- stance from which the Solicitor experienced some embarrassment in his official course, as complaints and charges were made against him on account of the relation, which induced him to resign, and, in a few years, he settled in Montgomery.
Mr. Jackson was a Democrat without the Southern Rights fea- ture, and conceived a strong prejudice against the leaders of that wing, and was, withal, incautious in his remarks toward them.
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Reminiscences of Public Men in Alabama.
In 1850, he opposed Judge Goldthwaite for the Circuit Court bench at the first election by the people, and was beaten. This soured his feelings, and in 1851, he accepted a place on the ticket for the House, favoring the Compromise measures, and was elected. He was extreme in opposition to the Southern Rights party, then designated FIRE-EATERS, and indulged a good deal of bitterness of feeling in his legislative course, giving too free scope to animosities growing out of old antagonisms, and became, in a measure, estranged from his former friends.
In 1852 (Judge Goldthwaite having gone upon the Supreme Court bench) Mr. Jackson opposed John Gill Shorter, who held the Executive appointment for Circuit Judge, and was again badly defeated. He found himself without a party, or any such reli- ance; for the organization upon which he was elected to the House had passed away, and old party names resumed, leaving him out in the cold. The fountains of his nature seemed to have become poisoned, and he was separated by his own act from those with whom he was wont to associate and cooperate. He removed to Pen- sacola, Florida, and not long afterwards died of yellow fever. He was a man of respectable abilities, and pretty well informed; and if he could have divested himself of the weakness of political envy and jealousy, would no doubt have succeeded better.
COL. BARRY, one of the competitors of Mr. Jackson for Solici- tor, in 1838, was a native of Baltimore, where he often heard William Pinkney and William Wirt speak at the bar. He once visited, on some little matter of business, the venerable Charles Carroll, at his residence in Carrollton. Col. Barry removed to Georgia about 1828, was admitted to the bar, married Miss Bet- ton, and in 1832, was appointed Aid to Gov. Lumpkin, with the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel. He afterward removed to Irwin- ton, now Eufaula. After his defeat for Solicitor, he was elected by the Legislature, Judge of the County Court of Barbour county, and at the end of his term he was beaten for reelection by Mr. P. H. Mitchell. Some time thereafter, he returned to Georgia. Between 1850 and 1858, he was Deputy Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Georgia, and visited a large extent of the State in the discharge of his Masonic functions, reviving lodges, con- ferring degrees, etc. For a number of years he was a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and died in Christian triumph at Cuthbert, in 1868.
MR. COLEMAN, another competitor of Mr. Jackson in 1838, was afterward Register in Chancery, and Mayor of Montgomery. He married a daughter of the Hon. B. S. Bibb, and is still en- gaged in the practice of the law.
573
Reminiscences of Public Men in Alabama.
PORTER KING, of Perry, was raised in the county he repre- sented at the session of 1851, and is a son of Gen. Edwin D. King, a gentleman of great wealth, and renowned in his day for public spirit, especially in the support of institutions of learn- ing. It is said that the Judson Institute, which has certainly ac- complished and graduated a greater number of young ladies than any other in the State, owes its existence in great measure to the efforts and liberal contributions of Gen. King. The writer has, in other days, partaken of his unaffected, affluent hospitality, and that of his excellent lady, the mother of the member now under consideration, and remembers it with pleasure.
Mr. Porter King was a young man at the time of his legislative service, but displayed, in the exciting transactions of the session, ยท qualities which guaranteed a good future. He was a Democrat, as was his father before him, and warmed into political life under the influence of a Southern sun, and feelings in common with the interests of the State. His literary attainments are well indicated by his appointment to a place on the Committee on Education and the University, and his duties and undertakings as a legislator were faithfully discharged.
In 1858 he was appointed Judge of the Second Circuit, to suc- ceed Judge Brooks, and was elected by the people. He displayed upon the Bench rare legal abilities for one of his age, and by his simple, unaffected manner in his intercourse with the people, he produced a decidedly favorable impression. I heard a gentleman, who witnessed his deportment and administration on the Bench, say that his fund of common sense was invaluable, and presented a strong trait in his character. He participated in the war; but was prevented by physical infirmity from rendering the amount and quality of service in the field, which his will and his patriot- ism dictated. He is now in private life, tied down by the mana- cles of the Fourteenth Amendment-a gentleman of good culture and high social relations. He married a daughter of the late Chief Justice Lumpkin, of Athens, Georgia.
CAMERON McKASKELL, of Monroe, a young man, a young law- yer, and a Democrat of the State Rights school, was elected in 1851. He was a gentleman of promising talents, well cultivated and developed for one of his age, and possessed fine social qualities.
His modesty, and the fact that he was a new member, kept him in the back ground, and while he was inclined to yield to the so- licitations of his friends to make a speech on the political questions of the day (for which they felt assured he was fully competent) such was his deference to the older members of the House, and self-distrust from a want of experience in legislation, that he de- clined, and passed through the session without taking any part in
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Reminiscences of Public Men in Alabama.
the discussions that were general, and into which others ventured who would not compare with him in the qualities of a public speaker. This was a commendable motive, and while many de- sired to hear him, they saw in his diffidence the germs of merit, and future efficiency. In his case the conclusion was well founded. The State had no little interest in Cameron McKaskell, for he united in his character many elements of usefulness, if not dis- tinction, according to all appearances; but death put a close to all these in a year or two. He had just looked out upon life, and tasted of its honors and public trusts; but was allowed to go no further.
WILLIAM B. Moss was a Georgian, and came to Montgomery about the time it was made the Seat of Government, to practice law. He was identified with the Whig party, and in 1851, was at the head of the House ticket, accepting the Compromise measures. He was justly regarded as a young man of promise, being well- endowed intellectually, and devoted to study and to the improve- ment of his mind. His habits were regular and well settled. He was not very social, but rather too much a student for that kind of enjoyment; but when he came before the people on the hustings, his close reading and investigation were manifest. With a small, rather diminutive person, he had a fine head and eye, and thought- ful look; and in speaking, his voice was clear and strong, his lan- guage well chosen, and his subjects well digested and discussed. He had a considerable degree of boldness and self-reliance, which contributed to his success in public speaking, and he seldom failed to make a good impression.
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