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2 THE AMERICAS WEEKLY TIMES-RECORDER: FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER IS, im. AN HISTORICAL HOUSE. THE OLD COURTHOUSE BUILDING And ITS EVENTFUL PAST. Recollection* of the Fatuous Men who Made It* Wall* Kins with Eloquence- •Judjje l'ilibury Write* a Readable Ar ticle About the Structure. Thirty-eight years the old court house has stood, which in days past was the pride of Sumter county. Time moves along and the past must go to give away to the future iu style and modern archi tecture that leaves the past far behind in regard to beauty and elegance, the present one becomes an adornment for the future. Will it hold up to the stan dard in comparison in some things with the past, for the old was a building of historical associations, and has now dis appeared and is only remembered in memories casket. What a history that old brick building could unfold if speech belonged to such. In the year 1853 the same was finished and accepted Within it there have pre sided eight judges. First came Judge W. A. Perkins, a man whomjill respected whom adorn the bench, and a lawyer of fine parts. Then came Judge Alex A. Allen, a moral, temperate gentleman, and one of fine culture. Succeeding him was Judge Richard II. Clarke, to mention would only be sufficient, for he is one whom all delight to honor and remember, a scholar, a legal light in the judiciary of Georgia, without superiority as a judge, having ;d 1 the requisites to make him the pure upright judge, an ornament to the bar and bench of Georgia. lie is now presiding judge of the DeKalb cir cuit. After him came Judge D. A. Vason, a man of genial, pleasant dispo sition, plain and practicable and a fine judge. Then it was Judge J. M. Clark. He had retired for some years from the practice, but when appointed, realizing the position he had been placed in, be came the studious student, and at his death was a thorough judge, having few equals on the bench, (if any,) and was deeply learned iu the law. At his death there was appointed one that all delight to honor, one whom his people love and Georgia proud of. A reputation second to none, a judge by nature and it seemed was created for the position, from the time ho enrobed himself in the ermiu to the time of his retirement to accept a higher position, not one stain soiled the mantle of the judge. It was as free and unsullied as the day he clothed himself with the same. A purer judge never presided over the courts of Georgia. I speak of Judge Charles F. Crisp. The next was Judge J. A. Ansloy, a veteran of the war- lie had sulfered battling for the rights of the South, had felt the rigors of imprisonment at Point Look out as a prisoner of war, and bears on his person scars, a, gentle reminder of the lost cause. Judge Ansley lias long been at the law, one whom tills all posi- tisus with honor and dignity, he had ex perience as a judicial officer, having been the county judge in 1800-07, and on ascending the bench as Superior Court Judge, was well equipped for the duties he was called upon to perform, and was considered a good ami conscientious Judge, upright and capable, and in equity jurisprudence few equals. i ■ i Judge James Scarborough, who had been on the superior court bench of one the lower circuits, a good methodical lawyer. He too has passed over the river. Aroused at the sharpness and pun- gancy of Goode in his arguments before the court assailing DuncaD, who was a man of some note and to some extent gifted with oratory being a Methodist minister, he appealed to the court for protection for his client. Goode paying no attention to the interruption, pro ceeded in the same strain w'hen Duncan arose and stated to the court that his counsel had asked protection—it had not been given, therefore, “he In his own proper person demanded to be saved from the assaults of an oratorical assas sin.” Goode with one of his inimitable bows acknowledged the compliment and thereafter confined himself to the case at the bar. N. A. Smith, in every meaning of the word an erudite scholar, was a deep student, well up in the decisions of the supreme court and the rules of practice. Sensitive to a fault, quick to resent, he was as quick to forgive. He was never married, and at his death the bar lost a genial companion and associate. S. C. Elam has gone as well as the old courthouse, his eccentricities are a part and parcel of the old building; his co-equal will be bard to find. lie could be brilliant at times, dull and sluggish at others, he was worth more intellec tually than was accorded him. He made no effort to display a talent that his maker had endowed him with; his suc cess was in his own hands but he would not take advantage of it. But alas, he too has gone, and the old building is re membered with the past. What galaxy of brilliant minds, who too “have passed over the river’ such as Toombs, Dougherty, Colquitt (W. T.), Lumpkin, Patterson, Starnes Xesbit, Stephen?, Scarborough, and Gen Howell Cobb, statesman, patriot and sol dier, a kindly man, a good mau, brilliant and having few superiors in the courts, ever loved by the people of the state over whom he ruled, ever willing to honor him with the highest office within their gift—he, too, has helped to make the old court house historical in days past and gone. Whose voice has re sounded therein from floor to attic, from corner to corner, more welcome, more eloquent than the peerless Hill, in days of reconstruction, on the east side, within its sdadow, in just such thrilling tones as when he uttered in the Senate chamber—replying to Blaine—“Thank God, lam iu my Father’s house; I’ve come to stay!” beseeching the people to stand firm and uphold the manhood of the South? When we remember such scenes as this, can any one help regret ting the demolition of the old court house? The two Warrens—Eli and L. I\ D. A. R. Brown, Carr, Worril, King—good lawyers, all of them—Bob Bissell, brave, generous and fearless, giving up his life battling for the South, though of North ern birth, practiced within the walls of this venerable structure Oue of the most remarkable men who started iu life within that old building is S. II. Ilawkius. A man of uutiriug energy, watchful trad zealous in all mat ters of business, be was often seen within that building engaged in the turmoil of He j legal battles, and persistently pressing lie claims to judgment. Retiring from the was followed by Judge Allen Fort. was perhaps the youngest person that | practice of law to eugage in banking, ho had been elected to that position iu the ! is now considered one of the best and state, and following others who had | finest railroad presidents of the day. longer experience, As a presiding offi cisive, and lias the reputation among the members of the bar of being well versed in legal law, and in the construction of statutes of his state few equals. He re tires to accept the position of Railroad Commissioner. This composes all the judges of the superior court who have presided in the old courthouse since its erection. Let us look at the old courthouse and see the large number of prominent lawyers who have made it historical. Judge W. A. Hawkins; can anyone but feel deep sorrow and regret when wo think of his death? lie was a lawyer in every sense of the word, fine ability and a powerful ad vocate. Success as Gen. Sidney John son said “is the truo test of merit,” then success was his, for he hardly ever lost a cause. Always victorious, he was one that controlled juries and the ver dict was never doubtful; he was the friend of the young practiouer, and they seemed, by some magnetic influence, drawn to him; he was a power in the land and his loss will be hard to replace. How vividly does the incident appear in the case of Wiley, Administrator vs. Aucten; Toombs restless like a caged lion, moving backward and forward in front of the judges bench meeting the salient points made by the sage, Haw kins, aud when nawkins’ motion in re lation to raense profits reached his ears, , a hard task. ; Success has crowned his every effort, firm and de- j Possessing a memory superior to that of most men, no flagging, up and doing ever, his career has been a most remark able one. Then there was II. K. McCary. lie, too, figured therein* He was at heart good mau. He was a just man, a fine lawyer, a brilliant mind. Unfortunately joining the Republican party, he was appointed supreme court judge. He was the peer of any judge who ever pre sided over that court. He, too, is gone, as well as the old court house. Then there was Jobn D. Carter. Straight as an Indian, he was a polished, refined gentleman, and at his death the press lost a noble member. He fell at duty’s post in Savannah, refusing to leave and giving up his life succoring others. Then there was another whose name is inseparably connected with the same, G. M. Dudley, the chaste, refined, cul tured gentleman, and an author of fine literary attainments. His address in August, 1807, “Farewell to the Bar,” to be found in Minutes G, pp. 5SS—004, will well repay the young practitioner for a careful perusal. The sound and logical advice given therein aud the beauty of language aud elegance of composition cannot be excelled. Judge W. B. Guerry is one whose con nection with the building is beyond that of any living member of the profession. Toombs,knowing the timo for action bad ! He is the patriarch of the bar. Judge arrived or Hawkins would carry his j Guerry is sincere in all his actions, true point and the case be continued, with a | to every instinct of honor, careful but tone of voice equal to the roar of the | ever doubtful, ever ready to move in the King of the Forest, exclaimed “I strike j right, fearful of the wrong, but firm menes profits out from the writ—let us j when satisfied. As much a student now’ proceed.” j as in the days of his youth, quick but Goode springing to his feet, in perfect reasonrble, he is ono of the old-time admiration of the two men, exclaimed gentlemen of ante-bellum days and re- “A battle of the giants!” mains among us loved and respected. If Then there was that matchless orator . he would only speak, what a tale he —the gifted Goode. Many has been the j could unfold if the incidents that have time that the silver tongued orator held , transpired within its old walls. Ho has bench, bar and spectators spell-bound at t seen it erected; be has lived to see it de- tbe flowery eloquence that fell from his j molished. lips. Who can forget the case of Dun- j B. B. Hinton; what would the history can vs. Robinson. *of that old building be without the mention of his name. He was an ag gressive lawyer; he struck hard and litted the blows perfectly; he inflicted on his opponents; he was firm in his positions, and when taken was hardly ever made to recede; he was of a loving disposition with his friends; he asked no quarters of his enemies, and gave them none; he was an advocate of few equals, and he is sadly missed by his as sociates. Then there was Walter C. Simmons; he was a fine lawyer, and If he had not been cut down in the flower of his youth would as he grew older been one to make his mark among the profession; he was of nature kind and lovable; he was of a sensitive nature, and modest in all the paths of life; a good speaker and fine address. Then among the dead is one whom, for sarcasm, vituperation, fearlessness and denunciation bad but few equals. His zeal carried him sometimes too far, and made him lose sight of the case he was arguing, and thereby injured his cause. He was true to friends, but a mortal hater. J. S. McCorkle was far above mediocrity in the profession. Jack Brown has gone too. He was generous to a fault; charitable in all things, and was prominent as a politi cian. How can one incident that happened around that old court house be forgot ten? In 1805 the city had quartered in it a large number of federal troops. Thomas Sullivan, an able old ante-bel lum lawyer, who had ridden from court to court in a sulky, had retired, and at the end of the war was left, like all the people of the south, in an impoverished condition. He had a large vineyard that he felt would bring in sufficient revenue to support his family, but the federal soldiers were continually depredating on the same. After repeated remonstrances he asserted his manhood as a true South erner and shot one of the robbers. He was arrested by the military authorities and carried to the court house. Troops surrounded the old building, bayonets flashed in the sun, every avenue was guarded, at every door a sentinel. Sul livan, a prisoner, stood before the mili tary tribunal surrounded by his counsel, Dudley Patterson, A. R. Brown and H. K. McKay, fighting for their friend and associate. McKay, though in full accord with the party in power, threw party aside and became himself again—the truo aud just man. He did heroic work for his friend of yore and through his efforts, more than any others, Sullivan gained his liberty. Then the three days’ election that the old walls witnessed—a state of affairs then existing within the borders of Georgia that has no parallel in the his tory of any people or nation. The slave of ono day the full fledged citizen of the next, enforcing the right of citizenship. The heavens becoming overcast and the white, beautiful snow falling fast and quick as if weeping for the stain that day perpetrated on a free and chivalric people—a blot upon the history of the federal government that time aud eternity can never efface. Then in 1870 the election for presi dent—who can forget that day ? The battle array; the firm decided stand taken by a people who rose in their might to uphold the majesty of the law and the purity of the ballot box, and in no unmistakable terms enunciating the doctrine “our’s is a white man’s gov ernment now and forever,” aud the lesson of that day has had its fruits, for its like has never been again attempted by tlio race that defied the law. In speaking of the past a portion ol the living have made*the old courthouse historical too. There is C. B. Hudson, the “state,” as he is familiarly saluted by all, tho very essence of honor and truthfulness, and iu him the state has not a more faithful prosecuting officer; L. J. Blalock, county solicitor, a lawyer of fine legal ability, and as a prosecuting officer has made a reputation second to none; E. A. nawkins, systematic and a fine pleader, a sou of a noble sire; B. P. Ilollis, quick, able, calm and a fine and deep lawyer; Dupont Guerry, now of Macon, is an advocate of fine ability, carrying with him a trenchant blade, aggressive and stubborn, aud ever con fident in the cause he represents; James Dodson, well up in the law and a leader in the profession; W. A. Dodson, brainy, true to friends, with the brightest sense of honor, a fine practitioner and an able attorney; Hawkes, legislator, ever ready, ever willing, an orator of high order. As stenographer he is a part and parcel of the house of 1853 to 1801. E. G. Simmons, legislator and railroad at torney, as a speaker familiar with the law ranks high in the profession; W. H. Kimbrough, once representative in the legislature and county judge of Leo county, he fills all positions with credit and as legislator, judge and attorney, stands second to none; E. F. Hinton, nephew of B. B. Hinton, is a foeman worthy of any man’s steel. He is bright and brainy and a graceful speaker, a good lawyer, and his speech made in that old courthouse on tho stock-law was one of deep research and study and will compare with the best in elegance diction and rhetoric; J. C. Mathews has made a reputation at the bar. He is placid, calm, never fiusterated, persis tent aud full of energy; L. F. McCay— all like “Mac”—he is agreeable pleasant and a sociable gentleman, and tho old walls might, if it could tell, say many funny things connected with his career in the old building; Henry Lumpkin, retiring, but of good business qualities and in time will hold a high place in the profession and now a young attorney of fine ability. E. H. Cutts, deliberate, systematic, careful—a good pleader, never hurried and ever composed—he too is among the list of able attorneys that more or less, have made the old courthouse so noted and to be remembered. There are the living who have had their share in making the old building historical. They have had their part and will in the future carry with them to the new, reputations made, to meet thoseljust entering the profession, and In time the names of Wheatley, Fitz gerald, Maynard, Smith, Hixon, Wallis, Lane, Clark, Hooper and Graham, will in the new courthouse stand side by side with the old in interest, brilliancy and eloquence. J. B. Pilsbuiit. Allen & Allen 403 Jackson st. We wish to an nounce to the ladies that our store room is nearing completion and in a few days we will be able to exhibit the finest line of Notions, Novelties, Etc., in the city. We extend a cor dial invitation to all to come and see us. Resp’y, ALLEM & ALLEN. NEW: GOODS -A.T- Beall & Oakley’s. We Cordially invite the trading public to call and examine our stock of New Goods. We have just received and have marked to meet LOW COTTON prices, the most com plete line of Dry Goods, Dress Goods, Notions, Etc. to be found in this market. We invite an in spection, fully confident that our stock is second to none in Style, Variety and Price. In our stock can be found Beautiful Novelty Suits! Handsome Plaid Dress Goods, Lovely Bedford Cords, Henriettas, Etc. Our line of Black and Colored Silks is complete. Elegant Nuns Veiling for mourning veils. Call and see us. BEHLL & OAKLEY, 313 LAMAR STREET, You Will Forget all about the hard times by trading at THE BEE-HIVE Is the strongest Home-indorsed Medicine in the world. The stringency of money matters during the past Summer rniulc the closing out of our stock au impossibility, aud since we come to think of it, we are glad of it, as this will euable us to benefit our friends aud customers by dividing our bargains out among them, in place of one party getting them all. We intend to fill iu such lines ns me broken now, so as to enable us To close out our entire stock of goods now on hand by January 1st, next. And you will save money by not buying a dollar’s worth until yon hnve been to see us. We offer to-day: 2000 yds. best new Fall Calico, 5c. 1000 yds. Cotton Chinas, newest designs, only Ojc., cost you 8c. all over town. 2500 yds. best quality Dress Ginghams, only 8£c., are 10c at other stores. Lowest prices in town on Bleachings, Sea-Islands, Etc. *be wu treated by several specialist*. Has taken quantities or all tae blood purlflera on the market, without realtor* any special benefit. She la now using Wooldridge** Wonderful Cure, afew bottle* of which have made a complete cure. I unhesitat ingly recommend It os the beat blood purtfier ever discovered. Yours truly, A. 0. ncGEHRE. Columbus, Go., March Zi, 1SSA. MAVarACTCUQ* BT WOOLDRIDGE WONDERFUL CURE CO., Co'nmbus, Ga, FOIL 8ALE hi ALL DRUGGISTS Household Remedy £ FOR ALL f BLOOD and SKINS DISEASES B. B. B. Botanic Blood Balm U TnrOQ SCROFULA, ULCERS, SALT uurefr rheum. ECZEMA, every form of malignant SKIN ERUPTION, be- < tides being efficacious in toning up the system and restoring the constitution, when Impaired from any cause. Its I almost supernatural healing properties ( Justify us in guaranteeing a cure, if . directions are followed. „ ITXUSTRATED SENT FREE “Book of Wonder*.** BLOOD BALM CO., Atlanta. Ga. LOANS. About Corsets. W e were the first to bring the C. B. corset to Americus; ko» wisely we selected is attested by the fact that nearly every dry goods house here handles them, but here is something they won’t copy: We sell you C. B. Corsets at 75c. for which they want $1.00 our $1.00 number sells at $1.25 all over town. We also give unap proachable value at 50c. and other prices. We are the Leaders. 2500 yds. Best Checked Homespun at 4^c. 2000 yds. new Hamburgs opened yesterday, 25c. edges at l 5c - 20c. goods at 10c. 40c. width at 25c. New Torchon Laces just received. School time is coming and you want Stockings for the little one*- 50 doz. fast black hose going at 10 cts, per pair. 15c 15c loc Loans negotiated at LOWEST KATES. Easy payments, on city or farm lands. J. J. HANESLEY, oct 5 ly Americus, Oeorgia. Best bargain you ever saw in Ladies’ Hose, fast black, regul« made goods. Call for the 15c. Hose. Lord A Taylor Onyx, fast black Hose at 25c. ^ 0 Ciiu do you good on Dress Goods. These are only a few of the many bargains we have for you- Watch this space closely; you will find money therein and your purchases at the BEE-HIVE