Democratic Sentinel, Volume 10, Number 22, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 July 1886 — REMINISCENT. [ARTICLE]

REMINISCENT.

Judge Davis’ Early Career—Characteristics of the Citizen and the Judge. *1 have known David Davis since 1848,” remarked Hon. Leonard Swett, of Chicago, "at which time he came into public prominence. His first appearance was as a member of the constitutional convention. In tho same year he was chosen Circuit Judge of the Eighth Illinois District. “ Judge Davis, Abraham Lincoln, John T. Stewart, John J. Hardin, Stephen T. Logan, Edward D. Baker, Edward Hannigan, Daniel W. Voorhees, Kirby Benedict, Edward Jones, David B. Campbell and myself were the company that administered law in that district. Most of the attorneys would only go through a county or two and then drop out. Lincoln and I accompanied Judge Davis throughout the entire circuit. We would travel on horseback, generally, and would invariably put up at one hostelry. “Continually thrown in intimate companionship with Lincoln and Davis, I came to know both well. They were antipodal natures, but the closest of friends. Davis was of the most positive, decisive character, taking his positions firmly, and holding to them tenaciously and doggedly. Lincoln was suave and more yielding. Both were princes of geniality and capital story-tellers. Each bad a fund of stories that seemed inexhaustible, and never lacked appositeness, nor lost anything of excellence in the telling. In this intimacy, formed in the Eighth Circuit, may be found the foundation of both Lincoln’s and Davis’ after greatness." “The strong points in Davis’ character, as exhibited in his whole career, public and private, were many. He had the keenest foresight. Away back in 1840 he saw this State as we now see it. To-day he is a very rich man, worth probably 88,000,000. I don’t know; no one does. He never made a dollar in trade ; never made a trade in which he was not worsted. He did not know how to make a bargain, and seldom if ever tried. He knew good land when he saw it. He made all his money entering land. His present magnificent farm of 1,000 acres in McLean County cost him about 83 an acre. “I remember once of a case that illustrates him very well. Jesse W. Fell, of Bloomington, was a merchant on the down-grade. Mr. Davis received a note from some Eastern party against Fell, which he was instructed to collect. Fell and Davis were friends. On Investigation, Davis found there were no resources, save an eighty-acre piece of ground near Chicago. Fell offered to give up the land for the note. Without a moment’s hesitation Davis accepted. When the Eastern party came out he was incensed at losing the note for a worthless piece of swamp. Davis agreed to take the land himself and pay tho amount of the note in money. This offer was accepted. That eighty acre tract lies between the city and the stock-yards, and is of incalculable value. “Davis excelled as a Judge. It was his natural sphere. He was more like John Marshall than any man the country has produced. Of Marshall it is related that he would listen attentively to an argument, catch at once the point, and say: ‘ That’s it. That’s the law exactly. Now look up an authority or two.’ It was just so with Davis, He took the law as a greyhound takes the scent. He never relied on his knowledge of authorities, and never allowed his legal lore to smother his common-sense perception of equity and justice.”