Rensselaer Republican, Volume 18, Number 43, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 July 1886 — REMINISCENT. [ARTICLE]

REMINISCENT.

Judge Davis’ Early Career—Characteristics of the Citizen and the Judge. “X have known David Davis since 18i8," remarked Hon. Leonard ,Swett, of Chicago, “at which time he came into public prominence. His first appearanoe was as a member of the constitutional convention. In the 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 eut. 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 yield-story-tellers. Each had a fund of stories that seemed inexhaustible, and never lacked apposltenesß, nor lost anvthing of excellence in the telling. In this intimacy, formed in the Eighth Circuit, maybe 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. Ho had the keenest foresight. Away back in 1640 he saw this State as we now see it. To-day he is a very rioh man, worth probably $8,000(000. I don’t know; noono 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 mode all his money entering land. His present magnificent farm of 1,030 acres in MoLean County cost him about $3 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. FeU 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 noto. Without a moment’s hesitation Davis accepted. When tho 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 the 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 l&quity and justice.’’ - -

A lawsuit of seven years’ standing, and involving the right to $3.10, was recently settled at Los Angeles, Cal. A skating-rink in New Bedford, Mass., that cost $13,000, has just been sold for SI,OOO. A Philadelphia saloon took in $325,000 last year. A prohibition party has been formed at Winnipeg,