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forcible argument before court or jury. He colors a picture of his client, whom he generally at the trial relied on some leading likened to " a lamb hounded by a hyena." case. Instructions asked by him read like When he closed his masterly speech both paragraphs from an essay. Before juries audience and jury were in tears, completely he became almost invincible, and woe betide under the control of the eloquent advocate. the opponent who met him before the As might have been expected a verdict of twelve. Slightly over six feet in height, acquittal quickly followed. rather slender in person, with large dark Judge Hicks, an eminent circuit judge be grey eyes, which could flash defiance or fore whom he practiced, was partial to him, look as gently as a woman's, large mouth, and admired greatly his talents. In speak heavy dark hair, high broad forehead, with ing of him he once said : " If Peyton had nostrils, when speaking, as an enthusiastic given the same attention to the study of the admirer described him, " reminding one of law, strictly, as he had to oratory, he would have been among the ablest jurists of the the nostrils of an Arabian horse," his ap pearance was handsome and striking. He country." One of the Missouri Supreme had, however, an ungainly, awkward walk, Court judges, Judge Ewing, once speaking being somewhat pigeon-toed. He used with to the writer about him, confessed to the telling effect the outstretched index finger wonderfully fascinating style of this gifted in his impassioned appeals. There was no man even before that august tribunal. Hon. levity about him; no coarse anecdotes ever Geo. G. Vest, at present United States senator came from his lips. Singularly pure in life, from Missouri, who knew Peyton intimately, in thought and diction, he impressed those and who was associated with him in the Con who heard him as always honest and con federate States senate at Richmond, Va., scientious in what he had to say, — as pos says of him : " I regarded Colonel Peyton sessed of lofty ideals, and seriously in earnest as one of the most impassioned and fervid in whatever he undertook. His voice was orators I have ever known; in fact I do not musical and exceedingly fascinating, whether remember ever to have heard any one who in speaking or in ordinary conversation; his excelled him as an impassioned speaker." enunciation so clear and distinct that every Many of the older citizens of the State, syllable was distinguishable; his command recall with pleasurable emotions the time of language fine. His sentences were some when they heard him at the bar or on the what lengthy at times, — reminding one of stump. He was exceedingly popular where the rhythmic sentences which were not un he resided, with all classes, and never failed usual to Wm. Evarts, — yet always clear to have a good audience when it was known and forcible. he would speak. As an old farmer put it : He loved Shakespeare, was familiar with " We always managed some way to get to the Bible, was fond of the classics, and his the court house when we knew Peyton was speeches abounded with classical allusions to speak. Ah, but it was wonderful to see and illustrations. Juries would at times him sometimes when speaking, by a toss of listen to him as if spellbound. It is not the head throw back the hair from his fore recalled that any man was hung whom he head." defended; indeed to secure his services in a Not only was he noted for his eloquence criminal case almost invariably meant an in the court room, but equally so for his acquittal. Defending a man once charged efforts on the stump. In 1858 he was with murder, where the circumstances pointed elected to the State senate, and whilst there strongly towards guilt, in supporting a plea made some notable speeches, particularly in of self-defence, he boldly drew in striking 186 1, on the exciting political issues of that