USA > Indiana > Biographical and historical sketches of early Indiana > Part 22
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and that the boys killed themselves drinking spirits, eating Mexican fruits, and ' cavorting.'
" Wick has committed much folly in his time-the principal of which has been holding offices, writing rhymes, playing cards for money, and paying other people's debts-all which he abandoned about the time he became a Democrat.
"At this present writing W. is fifty-two years of age ; fair, a little fat, having increased since 1833 from 146 to 214 pounds- six feet and one inch high, good complexion, portly-has been called the best looking man about town-but that was ten years ago-not to be sneezed at now-a little gray-has had chills and fever, bilious attacks, and dyspepsia enough to kill a dozen common men, and has passed through misfortunes sufficient to humble a score of ordinary specimens of human nature. His system being sluggish, he takes a sarsaparilla bitter, or some No. 6, in the morning, and takes a glass or two of wine (if good ) at dinner when he can get it. He has acquired a good deal of miscellaneous knowledge, loves fun, looks serious. rises early. works much, and has a decided penchant for light diet, humor. reading, business, the drama, music, a fine horse, his gun, and the woods. W. owes nothing, and were he to die to-day his estate would inventory eight or nine hundred dollars. He saves nothing of his per diem and mileage, and yet has no vices to run away with money. He ' takes no thought for to-morrow,' but relies upon the same good Providence to which he is debtor for all.
"'W. would advise young men to fear and trust God, to cheat rogues, and deceive intriguers by being perfectly honest (this mode misleads such cattle effectually), to touch the glass lightly, to eschew security and debt, tobacco, betting, hypocrisy and federalism, to rather believe, or fall in with new philosoph- ical and moral humbugs, and to love woman too well to injure her. They will thus be happy now, and will secure serenity at fifty-two years of age, and thence onward."
This paper exhibits Judge Wick as he was-warm-hearted. humorous and improvident. He truly said he took no thought for the morrow.
In 1853 President Pierce appointed Judge Wick postmaster
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at Indianapolis. He served a full term of four years, and in 1857 was superseded by John M. Talbott. He was an appli- cant for reappointment, and he took his defeat sorely to heart. In a letter to a friend, under date of May 8, 1858, he thus speaks of his retirement from office :
" I suppose my selfish interests in politics are closed, and closed forever. My health, activity and physical energies are much impaired by the wear and tear of the last few months. It is the first time in my life that I have been constrained to feel a consciousness of exceeding wrong, neglect and injustice, ac- companied by fraud and dishonor. It came upon me unex- pectedly, and it hurt badly. But no measure of age, ill-health or disgust could make me careless of the fate of the Democratic party."
After leaving the postoffice Judge Wick resumed the practice of the law. Like most men who forsake the law for public office, he found it hard to get back his legal business. Others had taken his clients, and now when he sought to regain them they would not come. But if the law was measurably closed to him, the political field was open, and as he had always loved politics he did not particularly grieve at the want of clients, but entered actively into political work.
The Thirty-fifth Congress was the most exciting one that had ever convened up to that time. The Kansas and Nebraska bill had passed, and the bill to admit Kansas under the Lecompton constitution which was before the House, aroused the fiercest pas- sions of the people. The Democratic party, then in control of the government, was divided upon the bill, and the two wings fought each other with intense fury. There were in that Congress six Democrats from Indiana, and the six were equally divided in sen- timent upon the bill. Messrs. Niblack. Hughes and Gregg favored the measure, and Messrs. English, Foley and Davis opposed it. Judge Wick was bitterly hostile to the bill, and by speech and by letter did what he could to defeat it. In a letter to Hon. W. H. English, then in Congress, dated February 8. 1858. he says : " I am opposed to Kansas's admission on the Lecompton con- stitution solely on the point of honor." He proceeds at some
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length to show that the honor of the Democratic party demands the submission of the constitution to the people, and closes by saying : "The most foolish thing a politician can do is to grow desperate and risk his all on a single question." He begs of Mr. English not to "risk his all" by voting for a bill whose passage would bring dishonor upon his party. Writing to Mr. English under date of February 21, 1858, he says :
"' The wise man forseeth the evil and hideth himself; the fool passes on and is punished.' I would not expect you to be a fool, but on the contrary would expect your wariness, clear- sightedness and high sense of honor to save you from minister- ing to the ambitious plans of others, by surrendering yourself to be led blindfold into the pit, and I see it is likely that I shall not be deceived. I congratulate you." .
Further on he thus refers to the bill introduced by Mr. Eng- lish for the settlement of the Kansas question :
" Had I been at your elbow, I would have whispered these things to you, and said : ' Now mind your compromise. It will do no public good, and may be to the Jews (anti-Lecompton men) a stumbling-block, and to the Greeks (Lecompton men ) foolishness, and so bring you little honor or profit.'"
When the campaign of 1860 opened, Judge Wick took the stump as an advocate of the election of Douglas. He made speeches in several places in Central Indiana, and with much effect, for he was a very popular stumper. He was not particu- larly logical as a speaker, but his humor, his wit and pleasant- ries supplied the place of argument with many and made him a great favorite upon the hustings. Had Judge Douglas been elected Judge Wick would undoubtedly have been rewarded for his devotion to the fortunes of that remarkable man. but as he was defeated all hopes of Judge Wick for political prefer- ment disappeared. In a short time after the campaign closed he left Indianapolis, which for so long had been his home, and took up his abode at Franklin, with his daughter, Mrs. William H. Overstreet. He died at her house, May 19, 1868, and was buried in the Franklin cemetery.
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William and Henry Wick, Judge Wick's father and uncle, settled at Youngstown, Ohio, in 1801. As previously stated, William was a Presbyterian preacher. He came to the then far West as a missionary, and labored zealously in his calling. In speaking of the location of his father and uncle at Youngs town, Judge Wick once said : "One chose piety and poverty, the other merchandizing and money-getting, and they both suc- ceeded." One laid up treasures in heaven, the other on earth, and verily they both had their reward.
Judge Wick's father intended him for a Presbyterian minis- ter, but the boy grew up doubting the truth of Calvinism and refused to become an organ for its propagation. He studied medicine, as stated in his autobiography, but soon abandoned it, giving as a reason that he did not like to be always contem- plating the miseries of mankind. Law and politics were more congenial to his nature, hence he embraced them and became a good lawyer and a very astute politician.
Judge Wick, like Yorick, was " a fellow of infinite jest, of most excellent fancy." His exuberant humor often "set the table in a roar," making him one of the best and most jolly of companions. Fun and hilarity abounded wherever he was, not even leaving him when on the bench. The lawyers joked with him and played cards with him, often for money. He was once indicted by the grand jury of Bartholomew county for gam- bling, was tried before his associate judges, found guilty and fined. A few days after this one Job Gardner, who had been indicted for gambling with the Judge, was brought to trial, and. on being asked if he was guilty, replied: "Guilty, as Your Honor well knows." "You are fined $5 and costs," responded Judge Wick, whereupon Gardner cried out, " Have mercy. Judge, have mercy." "You will have to appeal to a higher court for mercy," said the Judge, with a twinkle in his eye, as he proceeded to call the next case upon the docket.
Judge Wick, like most of the public men of early Indiana, loved a social glass. Oliver H. Smith, in his " Early Indiana Trials and Sketches," tells this story :
" We started in fine spirits from Greensburg after breakfast. The day was cloudy, dark and drizzling. There was no road
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cut out between Greensburg and Shelbyville : there were neigh- borhood paths only in the direction between them. Judge Wick rode a spirited animal, and at once took the lead. Away we went at a rapid traveling gait. All at once the Judge stopped at a little log cabin at the forks of the paths, upon the gate-post of which hung a rough board with the word 'whisky ' marked upon it with chalk. The Judge hallooed at the top of his voice, the door opened, and out came the woman of the cabin. The Judge : . Have you got any whisky ?' . Yes, plenty ; but we have no license to sell, and we will be prosecuted if we sell by the small. You can have a gallon.' .A gallon ! I don't want a gallon. A tin-cupful, with some sugar, will do.' . You can't have it.' . Fetch it out. I am the president judge of the Cir- cuit Court, and this is Mr. Smith. He can quash any indict- ment these woods prosecuting attorneys can find against you. Fetch it out ; there is no danger of prosecution.' Thus assured, the old woman returned, brought out the whisky and sugar, the Judge took the lion's part, and away he went on his journey."
Judge Wick was kind and affectionate to his family. His youngest daughter was accidentally burned when a child, and . when the wound healed it left a bad scar upon her face. While she was from home, at the house of a friend of the family, a thoughtless companion twitted her with the cicatrix. In her mortification and grief she wrote her father, asking to be brought home. In reply, he sent her the following touching and beau- tiful letter :
" INDIANAPOLIS, November 1, 1862.
" DEAR ALLY-I am delighted to hear from you. I was not uneasy about you, but I did want to see my little one-my be- loved child. But, now I know you are well, all is well. I am truly glad that you are learning not to be afraid of the dark- ness, which is one of the foolishest things in the world.
"Nobody has slighted you because of your scars, I know, who was worth minding. I hope my little girl will remember that as she will never be very pretty there is so much more reason for her to be good. A pretty face may recommend one to light-hearted and foolish people, but it is goodness and talent and education which recommend one to the better sort of peo-
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ple, whose good opinion is valuable. Be ever good and inno- cent and sincere, as you are now, and you will find enough peo- ple to love you, in spite of the burns. Perhaps they may, like your old father, love you all the more for the scars. I long to see my baby, but do not wish to say a word about your coming home, but leave that to fix itself. Be good and obedient and obliging, and your pa will not be ashamed of you. Dear Ally, good bye. W. W. WICK."
This child, now an intelligent and thoughtful woman, in a note to the author of this sketch, thus speaks of her father :
"After my father's first stroke of paralysis, when it was with great difficulty that he walked, we had in our household a ca- nine called ' Dainty,' for which I had a great fancy, but the rest of the family a very decided dislike. I fear 'Dainty' must have been a serious trouble to my father, owing to his unfortu- nate faculty for always being in the way. But my dear father bore very patiently with the dog and his many pranks, for his ยท baby's' sake, and one day crowned all by an act which was much to nie then, but more to me now, that I can better appre- ciate the loving thoughtfulness that prompted it. I was away from home, and 'Dainty,' taking advantage of my absence. took to the street for a frolic. But, alas ! with his usual readi- ness, he got in the way of a heavy wagon, and thus ended his somewhat active career. My father, hearing of the accident, and knowing what a sad catastrophe it would be to me, went out into the street, and bringing in the poor little body, laid it down in a shady part of our yard, and then waiting my return, told me that poor little 'Dainty' was no more, but that there was a happy hunting-ground where all good dogs were sup- posed to go.
"And so it was always ; his children's troubles were always his troubles, too. They were never so small but he could and did un- derstand them, and relieve them, too, when relief was possible. Many a time has he stroked my head, saying : . Never mind. baby, it will all come right.' And so it did, or was forgotten, which was about the same thing to my mind in those days."
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A son of Judge Wick, now living at Springfield, Ohio, gives this incident in his father's career :
" I remember when a lad, during one of his canvasses for Congress, going to the old Court-house where he was making a speech. My boy eyes were wide open taking in the scene. The room was literally packed, and I noticed that by his elo- quence his audience were affected to tears, and then by his wit and humor were convulsed with laughter. At the close of the speech two stalwart Clay Whigs gathered him upon their shoulders, and went out of the Court-house yard and down Washington street, hurrahing for Billy Wick."
Judge Wick's first wife was Laura Finch, a sister of Hon. Fabius M. Finch, of Indianapolis. As stated in the Judge's autobiography, Mrs. Wick died in 1832, and in 1839 he married Isabella Barbee. The issue of this marriage was two daughters, the youngest of whom is living, and is connected with the In- dianapolis Public Library. The second Mrs. Wick survived her husband.
Judge Wick wrote well and correctly. His manuscript was a pattern of neatness and grammatical accuracy. It could be printed as written, something that can not be done with the compositions of most of our public men.
Judge Wick's grave is without even a headstone to mark it. It is several inches lower than the cemetery's level, otherwise there would be nothing to show that the ground where his ashes lie was ever disturbed. A foot or so from the head of the grave stands a monument erected to one who, though one of the best of men,* was unknown outside his neighborhood, and at its foot runs a roadway. On either side are monuments commemorat- ing the virtues of those who exercised but little influence upon their kind, and whom the State's history will never mention. Amid such surroundings is the final resting-place of the genial pioneer, with nothing to mark it save an indentation in the ground. Some members of the Franklin bar have talked of putting a stone at the head of the grave, but nothing further has
*The author's father.
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been done, and unless some one moves in the matter before long the last resting place of the first judge of the "New Pur- chase " will be unknown. Standing by it a thoughtful man must realize the instability of worldly honor and human great- ness. Alas, how transient and fleeting they are !
TILGHMAN A. HOWARD.
THE term " Christian statesman " is so often applied to men who prostitute public office for private gain as almost to become a synonym of hypocrite ; but that it may be applied to Tilghman A. Howard in its literal sense, those who read this sketch will see.
Tilghman Ashurst Howard was born on the Saluda river, near Pickensville, South Carolina, November 14, 1797. His father was a Revolutionary soldier, and afterward a Baptist preacher ; so the son inherited patriotism and religion as a birthright. When a child Tilghman's mother died, and he went into the family of John McElroy, his half-brother. Soon afterward this family removed to North Carolina, and settled in the county of Buncombe. Here the subject of this sketch re- mained until he was nineteen years old, and then he started out in the world for himself. He traveled to East Tennessee, and liking the country, made it his home. He had gone to school in North Carolina altogether about a year, and soon after he settled in Tennessee he commenced to utilize his learn- ing by teaching school. After awhile he quit teaching and be- came a merchant's clerk, and continued in that vocation until he entered, as a student, the office of Hugh Lawson White, one of the most eminent lawyers and statesmen of that day. When twenty-one years old he passed his examination, and was ad- mitted to the bar. He practiced his profession with success, but having an aptitude and a love for public life, he entered it six years afteward as a Senator from his district. This was when he was twenty-seven years old ; but, young as he was, he took high rank as a debater, and became one of the most influ-
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ential members of the body in which he sat. He participated in all the leading debates, and his advocacy of, or opposition to, a measure did much to determine its fate. While he was in the Senate of Tennessee he became intimate with General Sam Houston, then Governor of the State. The intimacy was renewed years afterward, when he went as a representative of his country to the republic of Texas, whose executive head was his friend, the old-time Governor of Tennessee. Governor Houston appointed him to a place on his military staff, and in other ways testified his high appreciation of his talents and patriotism.
In 1828 General Howard was put upon the electoral ticket for his district as the friend of Andrew Jackson. He canvassed the State, and, being elected, cast his vote in the electoral col- lege for his friend, both personal and political, the hero of New Orleans. Two years afterward he left Tennessee and came to Indiana. He settled at Bloomington, and at once opened an office for the practice of his profession. In a short time he formed a partnership with James Whitcomb, afterward Gover- nor of Indiana, and it is questionable if there ever was a stronger legal firm in the State than this. He remained at Bloomington some three years, and removed to Rockville, Parke county, which was his home until he died. He continued his business relation with Mr. Whitcomb until 1836, when he dissolved it and entered into partnership with Judge William P. Bryant. This connection continued three years, when Judge Bryant withdrew from it. His place was taken by Joseph A. Wright, afterward Governor of the State, who continued to be General Howard's partner until the latter's death.
In 1835 it became necessary for the administration of General Jackson to appoint a commissioner to adjust and settle a mim- ber of claims against the government growing out of treaties with the Indians. The place was an important one, requiring capacity and integrity of a very high order, and there being much difference of opinion among General Jackson's cabinet as to the proper man, the matter was referred to the President.
" Gentlemen." said General Jackson, " I will tell you whom to appoint. Appoint General Howard. of Indiana ; he is an
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honest man. I have known him long." He was selected, and filled the place, as he did all his trusts, honestly and well.
In 1832 General Howard was appointed District Attorney for Indiana, and held the office for seven years. In August, 1839, he was elected a member of the Twenty-sixth Congress, his district comprising nineteen counties in the western and north- ern parts of the State. The next year, 1840, he was nominated by the Democracy for Governor. He reluctantly accepted, and made the race. Like the waters of a mighty river, the great popularity of General Harrison, who was a candidate that year for President, carried everything before it. General Howard went down with the tide, being beaten by Samuel Bigger 8,637 votes. How he bore himself under his defeat the following let- ter, written to a friend, will tell :
" ROCKVILLE, IND., 8th August, 1840.
" DEAR SIR-I have seen enough to convince me that In- diana has gone the entire Whig ticket-Governor, Lieutenant- Governor, Congressmen, and a majority in both houses of the Assembly. The close of the canvass found me worn down by fatigue and disease, and only sustained by the tremendous ex- citement of the occasion. I am still very feeble, and part of my time confined. Repose, however, and proper attention, I trust, will restore me, and leave me to return to my profession, to mend up my private affairs, and to forget as soon as I can what I was and be content with what I am. My kind regards to our friends.
Very truly yours, T. A. HOWARD."
General Howard had made an able canvass, but Hercules could not have withstood the Harrison tornado of that year. It is pleasant to see with what philosophy the General took his de- feat, and how easily he adjusted himself to the situation. As bearing upon his nomination for Governor and his canvass for the office, the following letters will be read with interest :
" WASHINGTON CITY, 30th Dec., 1839.
" MY DEAR SIR-Who will be Governor? We shall know after the election. Will not Palmer run? You must have harmony, union, prudence and patriotism-everything for the
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principles of liberty, equality and sound State policy ; no pri- vate bickering, no heartburnings. My whole soul is with you, and success and wisdom attend all your deliberations. Our committees have been announced, and the new Speaker has given the Democrats the Committees of Ways and Means, For- eign Relations (of which I have the honor to be a member), etc. We had a little Abolition breeze to-day, but it died away. and this evening all is tranquil, cool and peaceable.
" Your friend, T. A. HOWARD."
" WASHINGTON CITY, May 14, 1840.
"DEAR SIR-I received your letter from New York. Am happy to hear that you will soon be in the Hoosier State. You should encourage in every way you can the formation of Demo- cratic associations. Let it be done everywhere. You can, for example, write to Fisher, Law, Stuart, etc., etc. ; never writing to any but men of discretion. Palmer ought to do the same. It is better to take this course, because it will bring our people together, and they will, unmolested, talk over their principles and compare their reflections. It is calculated to do good by diffusing political knowledge. Action and concert are neces- sary, but with these we can carry the State. I will be there the greater part of July. Truly yours, T. A. HOWARD."
" WASHINGTON CITY, May 30, 1840.
" DEAR SIR-When I saw you something was said about the general assemblage of the Democracy at Indianapolis, with a view to a public dinner, etc. I have considered the matter. It is not Democratic, and would be to a certain extent, imitating the folly of our antagonists. Freemen ought to meet together to reason on public interests, when they assemble for political effect, and allow me to say to you that the mass of our people will not be any the more zealous by any public demonstration. They will turn out to hear debate. I shall have as many as I deserve to have to hear me. and my wish is to have no demon- stration, no procession, no flags, no drums, nor any other exhi- bition unworthy of a free, thinking, orderly community. I shall leave here at the very earliest day. and hurry home. and you
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may rely on it, I will be at several points yet in Indiana before the election. Allow my suggestion to prevail. Let us be what Democracy should be, too independent to be deceived by shows or led away by them ; possessing too much respect for our fel- low-men to attempt to mislead them on those great subjects that concern the general happiness. Your friend,
"T. A. HOWARD."
The Legislature chosen in 1842 having a United States Sen- ator to elect, the canvass of that year was made mainly upon that issue. The Whigs supported Oliver H. Smith, and the Democrats General Howard. No other man was spoken of in connection with the office until after the Legislature met. The two candidates met just before the Legislature convened and had a talk about the senatorship. General Howard said to Mr. . Smith that he knew one of them would be elected if the will of the people was carried out ; "but," said he, " the vote will be so close that a man or two may be found, who, like Judas, would sell his party for a few pieces of silver. There is nothing certain." That General Howard was correct events proved. On the first ballot he received 74 votes, Mr. Smith 72 votes, Edward A. Hannegan 3 votes, and Joseph G. Marshall I vote. It will be seen that Howard lacked two votes of election. It was said at the time these votes were offered him if he would promise office to the givers, but he scorned the proffer. On the sixth ballot Mr. Hannegan was elected, General Howard hav- ing withdrawn from the contest. The following letters from General Howard in reference to the election are not without interest :
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