Soon after arriving in this country, Mr. McWatters made his way to
Philadelphia, where he took up his residence. After various
vicissitudes, he gave his time (1848-9) for a year to the study of the
law, under William R. Dickerson, Esq., a Philadelphia lawyer of large
practice, but a man of that stamp of character which made him of
peculiar value as a collector of debts, especially in doubtful cases.
He was rigid, exacting, and uncompromising with debtors. Mr. McWatters
reveled in the study of Blackstone, Kent, Chitty, etc., and looked
forward with eagerness to the time when he should be prepared to enter
the "glorious lists" of the Knights of the Bar.