Page:History of Southeast Missouri 1912 Volume 1.djvu/216

 156 HISTORY OF SOUTHEAST MISSOURI the law, was possessed of a great deal of energy aud aggressiveness, and soon became one of the leading lawyers in the section. He was appointed a member of the territorial council and afterward made a canvass for the office of territorial delegate to Congress. His opponent in this canvass was Rufus Eas- ton, of St. Louis. Eastou had served one term as delegate, but was defeated by Scott on the face of the returns. Easton contested the election, however, on the ground that certain votes were improperly counted and the second election was held. At this election Scott in- creased his plurality from 15 to 392, and Easton gave up the contest. He served as territorial delegate until the admission to the Union, after which he was elected as a mem- ber of Congress. He served three terms and was a very popular and intiueutial member. It was, perhaps, his speech indignantly reject- ing the idea that the people of ilissouri could be dictated to in the matter of their constitu- tion that gave impulse to the movement of the state which resulted in the overwhelming vic- tory of the slavery forces in the election of the constitutional convention. Scott lost his popularity, however, in 1825 when, in spite of the wishes of his constituents, he voted for John Quincy Adams for President. The people of Missouri were very strong in their support of Jackson, and this vote for Adams prevented Scott's retaining the place. After his retirement to private life he continued the practice of law. He was kno^^•n all over the section, and attended court in practically every county. He was a thorough lawyer, and an impressive speaker. He was rather ec- centric in his personal appearance and de- meanor ; he always went armed, but was never Icnown to use these weapons. He was famous for his honesty and also for the great influence which he had over juries. He died in 1862, at the age of eighty .vears. Scott coimty was named for him. One of the early lawyers in Cape Girar- deau county was General Johnson Ranney. He was a native of Connecticut, had been a teacher in early life, but studied law and re- moved to Jackson upon establishment of the courts there in 1815. There existed at the time c|uite a strong prejudice against Yan- kees, but General Ranney was a man of firm disposition and he very quietly went about his work and soon overcame this prejudice. He was opposed to slavery, and during the campaign in 1820 was threatened with vio- lence, but he entrenched himself in his office and defied his points. He was not a partic- idarly brilliant speaker, but was a close student and was very industrious and devoted lo the interests of his clients. He was a member of the legislature and a major general of militia. He died in Jackson, November 11, 1849. In 1819. General Nathaniel W. Watkins came to Jackson and began the practice of law. General Watkins was a half brother of Henry Clay and a native of Kentucky. He was a man of fine appearance and resembled Clay in his general bearing. He was an orator and had very great influence over juries. No man in the southeast had a larger or more extended practice than he had. He traveled, every spring and fall, on horse-back from one eoimty seat to another. There was scarcely an important case in any of these coimties in which he did not appear on one side or the other. He served a number of terms in the general assembly and in 1850 vas elected speaker of the house of represen- tatives. He took part in the organization of the Southeast District Agricultural Society which was organized for the purpose of hold- ing a district fair. He was the first president