A history of Mississippi : from the discovery of the great river, Part 55

Author: Lowry, Robert, 1830-1910; McCardle, William H
Publication date: 1891
Publisher: Jackson, Miss. : R.H. Henry & Co.
Number of Pages: 674


USA > Mississippi > A history of Mississippi : from the discovery of the great river > Part 55


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log or frame house thereon not less than thirty feet in length," and at a future time pay the average price of lots, etc. The duty was also imposed ou the commissioners of having a commodious house on an economical plan built for the reception of the General Assembly at its next reg- ular session. On the 29th June, 1822, the Legislature directed that subsequent sessions of the General Assem- bly should be held at Jackson, and that all State offices should moved there by the following December. The en- tire grant of land, except the streets and lots of the town. sold from time to time, were subject to disposition by the General Assembly ; provided, that Capitol, Court and College Greens, should be used for the purpose for which they were set apart. It was also provided that the State officers should lay off such quantities of ground adjacent to the town, or within its limits, as they deemed expedi- ent for religious and charitable institutions and a ceme- tery.


The duties imposed on the commissioners were per- formed in such manner as to receive the approval of the Legislature. On February 26th, 1833, the first appropria- tions were made for the erection of a State-house and Ex- ecutive Mansion-ninety-five thousand towards the first, and ten thousand dollars toward the second building, which amounts were to be paid by the sale of town lots. if a sufficient sum was realized, and if not, the Governor was authorized to draw warrants on a specific fund to supply the deficiency. The cost of the buildings when completed amounted to several hundred thousand dollars, for the payment of which provision was from time to time made by the Legislature.


Jackson has grown to be a handsome little city. Its benevolent institutions are the pride of the State and will compare favorably with those of any State in the Union with like population.


The Institute for the Deaf and Dumb was founded in 1854, and re-established in 1871, the object being to educate all deaf mutes of both races, residents of Mississippi. Those who are financially able are required to pay a reasonable charge for instruction, but those less fortunate are provi-


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ded for at the expense of the State. This Institution, (for the whites), is situated on State street, and its grounds and buildings are well located and attractive. The building for the colored is eligibly located one and a half miles from the State House. Both are under the control of five trus- tees, appointed by the Governor, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.


The Institution for the whites, first located, has from its earliest existence not only merited but received the warmest sympathies of the people as well as their gen- erous and unstinted support. Pupils advance rapidly in their studies, and make known their thoughts by signs and in writing. As a general thing they write better, spell and punctuate more correctly than boys and girls who can hear and speak ; this is, perhaps, for the reason that all their communications are by signs or writing.


What is known as articulation instruction, introduced during the last few years, has succeeded beyond the most sanguine expectations. There are many boys and girls who never spoke a word until taught articulation, and who now repeat the days of the week, count and occasionally put words together forming an entire sentence.


Prof. J. R. Dobyns has had control of the Institute for many years, and his administration has been wise and in- telligent ; most creditable to himself and the State. He is assisted in his labors by thoroughly competent teachers in the several departments, all of whom display not only energy, but real pleasure in contributing everything in their power to the advancement of pupils, not neglecting their moral and religious training.


The Institute for the Blind was established in 1848. In October, 1882, it was removed to the new, commodious and attractive building on State street, the most elevated lot in the city.


The people of the State have been advised by publica- tions, liberally distributed, under the direction of the board of trustees, of the generous provision made by the State for the education of those deprived of sight, and yet a very small proportion of such have availed them- selves of the opportunities offered. It is a difficult task


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to teach the blind-requires great patience-and yet it is successfully accomplished at this institution, and many of the pupils become most excellent scholars. A generous and liberal people are amply rewarded for the outlay made in this behalf, by the pleasure it affords the poor un- fortunates, who are deprived of seeing the beauties of nature.


For many years the Institution was presided over by the late Dr. W. S. Langley, who was the advocate and may be considered the founder of charitable and benevolent in- stitutions in this State. Dr. Langley's professional attain- ments mere of a high order ; he was in its broadest sense a christian gentleman. He inaugurated a system that in- sured progress in learning, and at the same time strict dis- cipline. He was succeeded in the superintendency by his accomplished daughter, now deceased, and she by Dr. Peter Fairly, who stands high in his profession and possesses unusual executive ability. His administration promises to come fully up to the standard erected by the lamented Dr. Langley.


The teachers employed in the Institute are competent, faithful and conscientious.


The State Lunatic Asylum is situated two miles north of the Capitol and was established in 1853. Its manage- ment and control is confided to five trustees, appointed by the Governor, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. The trustees are charged with the duty of direct- ing the affairs of the Asylum, and making such regula- tions and by-laws as they may deem proper for its success- ful government. The Medical Superintendent is appointed by the Governor for a term of four years, and is author- ized by law to select such subordinate officers and em- ployees as are allowed by the board of trustees, and to remove any of them at discretion. The Superintendent also exercises a general supervision over the buildings, farm and other property, as well as all persons connected with the Asylum, subject only to the by-laws of the trus- tees.


During the past decade the building has been over- crowded with patients. The establishment of the East


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Mississippi Insane Asylum at Meridian in 1884, relieved the demands of the State Asylum for a time, but both are now crowded beyond their comfortable capacity, which is 400 for the State and 236 for the East Mississippi Insane Asylum, which was organized under the Superintendency of Dr. C. A. Rice, a distinguished physician, now under the control of Dr. J. W. Buchanan, a gentleman of superior attainments in his profession. The affairs of the former Institution have been conducted and administered during the past thirteen years with marked success and great satisfaction to the people of the State, by Dr. Thomas J. Mitchell, a distinguished and gifted physician, who seems peculiarly fitted for the delicate and responsible duties to which he has been assigned, and to which he has devoted so many years of his life.


The city of Jackson has three Methodist and two Baptist churches, one of each of the denominations being for the col- ored people; one church each for the Episcopal, Presbyte- rian and Christian denominations, one Catholic church and one Jewish synagogue. Some of the structures are hand- some and commodious, and others will at an early day be replaced with more costly and imposing buildings. There are three excellent public schools for both races, the build- ing for white pupils being eligibly located and imposing. The Catholics have a school also desirably located and well attended. Three banks supply capital sufficient for the demands of trade; one cotton compress, one cotton seed oil mill, two fertilizer factories, three foundries, one saw mill, one ice factory, gas and electric lights. a most excellent system of water-works, three large, well equipped hotels, four active and efficient fire companies, one daily, four weekly, one semi-monthly, and two quarterly newspapers, four livery stables, one of which is among the most costly and best equipped stables in the South. The merchants are enterprising and solid, and it may be confidently stated that the city is growing and its business increasing. From present indications the population will double itself in the next few years. New residences and business houses are constantly going up, and city prop- erty more valuable than ever before in its history.


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A sketch of the city of Jackson would be incomplete without referring to the distinguished jurist,


JUDGE WILLIAM L. SHARKEY,


Who was a native of Tennessee, and brought to the Territory of Mississippi by his parents in 1803. He was reared in Warren county, and received such educational advantages as were attainable in the country schools of that day. By industry and labor performed on a farm, he accumulated a sufficiency of money to attend the Greenville College in Tennessee, where he made himself a fair scholar, and ac- quired limited classical learning. After his course at Greenville, he sought the tuition and training of Mr. John Hall, of Sumner county, Tennessee, a distinguished educa- tor and lawyer, who, in addition to his recognized accom- plishments, was the owner of a valuable law and miscel- laneous library, which was open and free to the young student. On his return home he entered the law office of Messrs. Turner & Metcalf, lawyers of high standing, of Natchez. After his examination, and receiving a license to practice, he located at Warrenton, then the county site of Warren, and remained there until the seat of justice was changed to Vicksburg, to which place he removed, and was soon afterwards elected to the Legislature, and was made Speaker of the House.


After the adoption of the Constitution of 1832, ten years after his admission to the bar, he was elected one of the judges of the High Court of Errors and Appeals and made its Chief Justice. For this exalted office he was elected for four consecutive terms of six years years each, notwithstanding the district was largely Democratic and he known to be an ardent Whig.


A distinguishing feature of the estimable character of Wm. L. Sharkey as a judge may be properly styled the robustness of his mental structure and constitution. His mental make-up was without any weakness, remarkable for strength and manliness in all its manifestations. He had strong practical sense, far removed from the specula- tive and visionary, and he vigorously seized hold of and


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grappled the leading and decisive questions of a case with the power of a giant. He had breadth of grasp to take in everything necessary as he went along, and thoroughness of dealing with every question, which left nothing unsaid that was necessary for its complete elucidation and the vindication of the conclusion. His boldness shrank from nothing too difficult to be mastered. His plainness and simplicity of style precluded the possibility of misunder- standing, and his directness of purpose and argument went with the precision of a well-aimed rifle ball straight to the mark, and was sure to do execution. He had learn- ing enough to acquaint him with the principles and prece- dents of law and equity, but was more remarkable for the vigor and cogency of his reasoning than for wealth of learn- ing. Honesty he had in common with his fellows, but his was the bold and aggressive sort that characterized Peter among the Apostles. In him, as in Peter, it was so united and mingled with courage and aggressiveness as to give it decided prominence. He exhibited these characteristics on and off the bench on all occasions.


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CHAPTER XXXVII.


THE MEN WHO SERVED MISSISSIPPI IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES FROM 1817 TO JANUARY, 1861.


W ALTER LEAKE was one of the first Senators from Mississippi, and served from December, 1817, to March, 1821, when he resigned to become a candidate for Governor.


THOMAS H. WILLIAMS was elected the same day that Mr. Leake was chosen, and served from December, 1817, to March 3, 1821.


DAVID HOLMES was elected to succeed Walter Leake and was re-elected, but resigned in the year 1826. Mr. Holmes served from December, 1820, to March, 1825.


POWHATAN ELLIS was appointed to succeed David Holmes, and was subsequently elected for a full term. He served by appointment of the Governor from December, 1825, to March 4, 1826. He served the term for which he was elected from March 4, 1827, to March 3, 1832, when he resigned.


JOHN BLACK was appointed to succeed Powhatan Ellis by the Governor. He was elected to succeed himself, and served from December, 1832, to March, 1838, when he re- signed.


JAMES F. TROTTER was appointed by Governor McNutt to serve the unexpired term of Mr. Black. He served from December, 1838, to March 3, 1839.


THOMAS B. REED was elected to the Senate but died suddenly in the middle of his term. He served from De- cember, 1826, until his death, which occurred in Novem- ber, 1829.


ROBERT H. ADAMS was elected to succeed Mr. Reed, but he, too, died suddenly in July, 1830. His Senatorial service covered only one year.


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GEORGE POINDEXTER was elected to succeed Mr. Adams, and served from December, 1830, to March 3, 1835.


ROBERT J. WALKER was elected to succeed George Poindexter, and at the expiration of his term was re-elected. He served from December, 1835, to March, 1845.


JOHN HENDERSON was elected in January, 1839, and served the full term of six years, terminating March 3, 1845.


JESSE SPEIGHT served in the Senate from March 4, 1845, as the successor of John Henderson, until May 3, 1847, when he died suddenly at Columbus, in Lowndes county.


JEFFERSON DAVIS was appointed by Governor Brown to succeed Jesse Speight, and took his seat in that body in December, 1847. He continued to serve the State as a Sen- ator until the autumn of 1851, when he resigned. He was re-elected in 1857, and served until January 12, 1861, when, with his colleagues in both houses, he withdrew for- ever from the Senate of the United States.


JOSEPH W. CHALMERS was appointed by the Governor to fill the place of Robert J. Walker, resigned, and the Legislature subsequently elected hin to serve for the un- expired term of Mr. Walker. Mr. Chalmers served from March, 1845, to March 3, 1847.


HENRY S. FOOTE was elected in January, 1847, took his seat in December of the same year, and served until Jan- uary, 1852.


JOHN J. MCRAE was appointed by the Governor to suc- ceed Jefferson Davis in the Senate when that gentleman resigned his seat in 1851, and served from December, 1851, until March 17, 1852.


STEPHEN ADAMS was elected to succeed the term of Jef- ferson Davis as a Senator and served from March, 1852, to March 3, 1857.


WALKER BROOKE was elected to succeed Henry S. Foote, and served from March 11, 1852, to March 3, 1853.


ALBERT G. BROWN was elected to the Senate in January, 1853, and took his seat in that body March 4th of the same year. He served until March 3, 1859, having previously been re-elected for another term of six years. He con- tinued to serve as a Senator until January 12, 1861, when


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he, in company with his colleagues of both branches of Congress, retired from the Capitol of the United States.


The following are the persons elected as Senators from Mississippi during the period of reconstruction :


ADELBERT AMES took his seat in the Senate April 11, 1870, where he served until January, 1874.


HIRAM R. REVELS, a colored man, was elected to the Senate, where he served from February, 1870, until March 3, 1871.


JAMES L. ALCORN was elected to the Senate in January, 1871, and took his seat in that body in December of that year, and continued to serve as Senator until March 3, 1877.


HENRY R. PEASE was elected as the successor of Adel- bert Ames, and served from February, 1874, to March 3, 1875.


BLANCHE K. BRUCE was the second colored Senator from Mississippi, and he served from March, 1875, until March 3, 1881.


The following have been elected as Senators since the great revolution in 1875:


LUCIUS Q. C. LAMAR was elected to the Senate in 1876, and took his seat March 4, 1877. He was re-elected in January, 1883, and continued a member of the Senate until March, 1885.


JAMES Z. GEORGE was elected to the Senate and took his seat in that body March 4, 1881. He was re-elected for another six years, and his term of service will expire March 3, 1893.


EDWARD C. WALTHALL was appointed by Governor Lowry to succeed L. Q. C. Lamar. The Legislature ratified the appointment of the Governor by electing General Walthall to fill out the unexpired term of Senator Lamar. The Legislature re elected him in January, 1888, for the full term of six years, which will terminate March 3, 1895.


THE MEN WHO SERVED THE STATE IN THE NATIONAL HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE YEAR 1817 TO JANUARY, 1861.


GEORGE POINDEXTER was the first Representative from


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the State of Mississippi, and served in the 15th Congress from December, 1817, to March 3, 1819.


CHRISTOPHER RANKIN succeeded Mr. Poindexter, and served in the 16th, 17th, 18th and a part of the 19th Con- gress. He died in May, 1826, having served from Decem- ber, 1819, to May, 1826. He died in Washington during the session of Congress.


WILLIAM HAILE was elected 'to succeed Mr. Rankin. He was re-elected to the 20th Congress, but resigned at the close of the long session of 1828.


GENERAL THOMAS HINDS was elected to succeed Mr. Haile, and served through the remainder of the 20th and the entire 21st Congress, having served from December, 1828, to March 3, 1831.


FRANKLIN E. PLUMMER was elected to the 22d and re- elected to the 23d Congress, serving from December, 1831, until March 3, 1835.


HARRY CAGE was elected to the 23d Congress, and served from December, 1833, until March 3, 1835.


DR. DAVID DICKSON was elected to the 24th Congress, but served only one session, and died at Little Rock, Ark., July 31, 1836.


JOHN F. H. CLAIBORNE was elected to the 24th Congress as the colleague of Dr. Dickson, and served through that entire Congress from December, 1835, until March 3, 1837. Mr. Claiborne was elected in 1837, and obtained a certifi- cate of election to the 25th Congress, but upon a contest made by Messrs. Prentiss and Word againt Messrs. Clai- borne and Gholson. the House remanded them to the peo- ple. Mr. Claiborne occupied his seat until the decision of the House was reached, January 31, 1838.


SAMUEL J. GHOLSON was elected to fill the unexpired term of Dr. Dickson in the 24th Congress. With his col- league, Mr. Claiborne, he was returned to the 25th Con- gress, but when a contest was made by Messrs. Prentiss and Word, the House, by the casting vote of Speaker Polk, decided that neither were entitled to be seated. The service of Mr. Gholson embraced the time from December, 1836, to January 31, 1838.


SARGENT S. PRENTISS was elected to the 25th Congress


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in November, 1837, but the certificate of election was held by John F. H. Claiborne. Mr. Prentiss contested his right to a seat, but the House decided that neither was entitled to be seated. Mr. Prentiss appealed to the people and was triumphantly elected, as was his colleague, Thomas J. Word. The Congressional service of Mr. Prentiss was from December, 1838, to March 3, 1839.


THOMAS J. WORD was the colleague of Mr. Prentiss in the contest before the House, and shared his fortune. Mr. Word was re-elected with Mr. Prentiss and served in the 25th Congress from December, 1838, to March 3, 1839.


ALBERT G. BROWN was elected in November, 1839, to the 26th Congress, and served from December, 1839, to March 3, 1841. He declined a re-election, but was subse- quently elected to the 30th Congress, and re-elected to the 31st and to the 32d Congresses. His entire service in the House of Representatives covered eight years, but his latest service in the House was from January, 1848, to March 3, 1853.


JACOB THOMPSON was elected in November, 1839, to the 26th Congress as the colleague of Albert G. Brown. He was re-elected to the 27th, 28th, 29th, 30th and 31st Con- gress. His service extended from December, 1839, to March 3, 1851.


WILLIAM M. GWIN was elected to the 27th Congress as the successor of Albert G. Brown, in November, 1841, and served from December of that year until March 3, 1843. Dr. Gwin declined a re-election.


WILLIAM H. HAMMET was elected in November, 1843, to the 28th Congress, and served from December of that year until March 3, 1845.


ROBERT W. ROBERTS was elected in November, 1843, to the 28th Congress, and in 1845 was re-elected to the 29th Congress, and served from December, 1843, to March 3, 1847.


TIGHLMAN M. TUCKER was elected in November, 1843, while serving as Governor of the State, to the 28th Con- gress, and served from January, 1844, to March 3, 1845.


JEFFERSON DAVIS waselected in November, 1845, to the


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29th Congress, and served until May, 1846, when he re- signed his seat to take command of the first regiment of Mississippi Volunteers for duty in Mexico.


HENRY T. ELLETT was elected in November, 1846, to succeed Col. Davis, and served from December, 1846, to March 3, 1847. Mr. Ellett declined a re-election.


PATRICK W. TOMPKINS was elected in November, 1847, to the 30th Congress, and served from December of that year until March 3, 1849. Mr. Tompkins declined a re- election.


WILLIAM McWILLIE was elected in November, 1849, to the 31st Congress, and served from December, 1849, un- til March 3, 1851.


WINFIELD S. FEATHERSTON was elected in November, 1847, to the 30th Congress, and he was re-elected to the 31st Congress. He served from December, 1847, to March 3, 1851.


JOHN D. FREEMAN was elected in November, 1851, to the 32d Congress, and served from December, 1851, to March 3, 1853.


BENJAMIN D. NABORS was elected in November, 1851, to the 32d Congress, and served from December, 1851, un- til March 3, 1853.


DANIEL B. WRIGHT was elected in November, 1853, to the 33d, and was re-elected to the 34th Congress. He served from December, 1853, until March 3, 1857.


WILLIAM S. BARRY was elected in November, 1853, to the 33d Congress, and served from December of that year until March 3, 1855. Mr. Barry declined a re-election.


WILEY P. HARRIS was elected in November, 1853, to the 33d Congress, and served from December, 1853, until March 3, 1855. Mr. Harris declined a re-election.


WILLIAM A. LAKE was elected in November, 1855, to the 34th Congress, and served from December of that year until March 3, 1857.


OTHO R. SINGLETON was elected in November, 1853, to the 33d Congress, and was a candidate for the 34th Con- gress in 1855, but was defeated by William A. Lake. In November, 1857, Mr. Singleton was elected to the 35th Congress, defeating his successful competitor at the pre-


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vious election. He was re-elected to the 36th Congress in November, 1859, and served from December of that year until the secession of Mississippi, when in company with all of his colleagues, he withdrew from the House of Rep- resentatives on January 12, 1861, having served in the House nearly six years.


HENLEY S. BENNETT was elected in November, 1855, to the 34th Congress, where he served from December of that year until March 3, 1857.


REUBEN DAVIS was elected in November. 1857, to the 35th Congress ; in November, 1859, he was re-elected to the 36th Congress, where he served until January 12, 1861, when he retired with his colleagues upon the secession of Mississippi. The congressional service of Reuben Davis comprised nearly four years, commencing in December, 1857, and terminating in January, 1861.


JOHN A. QUITMAN, after being Governor of the State, was elected in November, 1855, to the 34th, and two years later was re-elected to the 35th Congress. His service ex- tended from December, 1855, to July 17, 1858, when he died at his home near Natchez.


LUCIUS Q. C. LAMAR was elected in November, 1857, to the 35th, and in November, 1859, was re-elected to the 36th Congress. The service of Mr. Lamar extended from December, 1857, to December 20, 1860, when he resigned his seat in Congress to become a candidate for the Seces- sion Convention from Lafayette county.


JOHN J. MORAE was elected to succeed John A. Quitman in the 35th, and was re-elected to the 36th Congress, and served from December, 1858, until January 12, 1861, when he retired with his colleagues from the capitol.


DURING THE PERIOD OF RECONSTRUCTION.


The State of Mississippi, during the period of reconstruc- tion, was represented in the House of Representatives by the following persons :


GEORGE C. MCKER served from February, 1870, to March 3, 1875, in the 41st, 42d and 43d Congresses.




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