USA > Mississippi > Newton County > History of Newton County, Mississippi from 1834 to 1894 > Part 25
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served for some time as U. S. District Attorney, he was, in 1868, appointed by General Gillam, Military Gover- nor, judge of the circuit court for the district embrac- ing Newton county. Upon the reconstruction of the State and the election of Governor Alcorn, Judge Leachman was, upon the practically unanimous request of the bar of the district, re-appointed, and he held that office until 1876, when he was succeeded by Judge James S. Hamm, the first appointee under Democratic rule. Judge Leachman continued to reside in Merid- ian for several years after leaving the bench and until his family was broken up by the death of his wife and the death or marriage of his children. He then re- moved to Anniston, Alabama, where he lived with his daughter, Mrs. Douglass, up to the date of his death, · in 1891. His first wife was a Miss Rencher, a sister of Dr. C. R. Rencher, of Enterprise ; his last, a Miss Brooke, of Greene county, Alabama.
Judge Leachman was a man of dignity and firmness on the bench, and his judicial course gave general satis- faction to the people and bar. He was never charged or suspected of any corruption in office, and bore him- self throughout the corrupt and trying times of his judgeship with admitted fairness and integrity.
JUDGE A. G. MAYERS.
The following sketch is contributed by a friend who has been long and intimately acquainted with Judge Mayers :
Judge ALONZO G. MAYERS, of 8th Judicial district, is one of the few remaining land-marks of East Missis- sippi. A native of Wayne county, born in 1821, he had only such educational advantages as could be ob- tained at that early day in the schools of his immediate vicinity. That distinguished orator and statesman-
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Edward Everett - declared that the boy or girl who could read correctly, spell well, write a legible hand, and understand the three first rules in arithmetic, had the foundation, and could thereafter educate him- self or herself, without the aid of schools. This truth is illustrated in the life of Judge Mayers ; his father died, leaving a widow and several children, he the eldest. His first employment was that of clerk in general stores in the towns of Quitman and Garlands- ville; his idle time was spent in study and miscel- laneous reading. Before he reached his nineteenth year, he was esteemed a fair scholar and a well in- formed young man.
Seeing no employment that promised better results, he adopted for a short time school teaching, but it is said by those who knew of his career as a "school . master," that any boy who asked to be shown how to work a difficult sum, generally received a severe reprimand and was sent back to his seat with the information that "boys to learn to cypher, should work their sums without assistance."
While as a boy, pursuing such vocations as afforded a support, his mind was fixed on the law ; in the mean- time he acquired a vast store of information ; he had read history, poetry and fiction ; his literary taste was most excellent and refined. Among the poets, Byron and Moore were his favorites, and often, when with one or two chosen friends, he would repeat some of the most beautiful stanzas from these honored authors.
He read law at the village of Garlandsville, with the late Judge John Watts, and was licensed at a term of the circuit court of his native county before he attained his majority.
He located at Raleigh, in Smith county, in 1844, to practice his profession, and was regarded as one of
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the rising young men of the State. He was a candi- date in 1845 for district attorney ; he was a pronounced Whig and the judicial district largely democratic ; he entered the canvass with limited means, but attractive in person, marked energy, ready and full of exquisite humor, he received a cordial and generous support. In - one of the counties of his district, after being from home several weeks, night overtook him at the house of an old gentleman who had a good following in his neighborhood; was close-fisted, but scrupulously honest. The young lawyer had not a penny in his purse, but after supper he exerted himself to be agree- able -- he wanted not only the influence of his host, but no charge for his night's lodging - he made a splendid impression, and before bed-time was informed that he would sweep the beat. Next morning, when the servant announced that the stranger's horse was ready, with one foot in the stirrup, he grasped the old gentleman's hand and said, "Good bye, Uncle Johnny; it's no use to ask my bill, for I know you don't keep tavern." He was defeated for district attorney by his Democratic opponent by two votes.
While practicing at Raleigh, an elderly lady, of large wealth for that country, Mrs. P., became involved in a lawsuit about a negro. She appeared at court, and went to the office of Mr. Mayers and said, " Mr. Mayers, I am in trouble and I want you to tell me what to do." He said, "Give me ten dollars, and I will do so." She carefully counted out ten dollars in silver and handed him, and inquired, "Now what shall I do? "Employ a lawyer, madam."
Some years after his candidacy for district attor- .ney, he was nominated by the Whig party of his Congressional district against the late Hon. A. G. Brown, for Congress. Governor Brown wrote him pro-
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posing a list of appointments for joint discussion. Mayers replied "That he understood that Brown had made all his arrangements to be returned to Congress, and that Mrs. Brown confidently expected to spend the coming winter in Washington, and that he could not find it in his heart to disappoint her, and, therefore, he would decline the contest and pursue his profes- : sion."
In 1847 he removed to Paulding, and formed a part- nership with the late Judge Henry L. Mounger, and the law firm of Mounger & Mayers continued until Judge Mounger's death in 1851. In 1848 he married Miss Elizabeth C. King, of Rankin county, who, with their two children, died in 1852. The same year he removed to Brandon, where he has since continuously lived. In 1856, he married Miss Nannie L. McLaurin, of Covington county. Four children were born to them, all grown, married, and living away from their native county. While practicing his profession at Brandon, he frequently contributed articles to the Brandon Republican, and at one time became a half owner of the paper, and was its editor for several years. An ardent and uncompromising Whig, a pun- gent and graceful writer, he not only enjoyed an envi- able reputation as an editor, but added largely to the interest and circulation of the paper. He forged his way to the front, not only as an intelligent and safe leader of his party, but as a newspaper writer, so much so, that he was offered a large salary to edit the Vicks- burg Whig. This flattering offer he declined, but it is fair to say, that it cost him a great effort, for the news- paper business possessed an attraction and charm for him that was difficult to withstand.
Thoroughly grounded in the text-books, well up in the adjudications of our own and other State and Fed-
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eral courts, Mr. Mayers was a successful practitioner. A good pleader, ready, and full of resources, he was seldom caught at a disadvantage. Governor Robert Lowry read law with him, and on being licensed, the law firm of Mayers & Lowry was formed, and continued for over sixteen years, and did a large and lucrative practice. They are devoted and life-long friends, and of them it may be truly said, they were as
" Distinct as the billows, yet one as the sea."
The firm was dissolved by the elevation of Mr. May- ers to the circuit court bench of the eighth judicial district, in 1876, appointed by Gov. Stone. He was re-appointed by Gov. Lowry in 1882, and again in 1888, and again appointed by Gov. Stone in 1894. At the expiration of his present term he will have presided continuously on the circuit bench of his district, for twenty-two years, an honor that has fallen to the lot of few men, if any, since the organization of the State government.
His administration for eighteen years has been wise and conservative. The criminal laws have been strict- ly enforced and good morals promoted.
As a judge he is fair-minded, and uniformly cour- teous to the bar. With a keen sense of the ridicu- lous, and a fund of humor, he occasionally breaks the monotony of the court-room at the expense of judicial dignity. While on his way, some years ago to hold court, and just before reaching Smith county court-house, he passed a tall, gaunt fellow riding a small, poor, weak-looking scrub of a pony. Glancing at the animal, which was very much like, but less in size, than Yallow Blossom's horse, "Bullet," in the Georgia Scenes, he remarked that the law preventing cruelty to animals should be enforced. Pending busi-
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ness in court, just before the dinner hour, a loud long hollo was heard. The judge ordered the man brought into court. He was the owner of the poor horse. Are you the man that hollod ?" "Yes, jedge." "Why did you hollo ?" "Jedge, I thought court had adjourned," but it had not. "Why, sir, did you hollo ?" " Well, jedge, I just give a keen hollor, and bantered any man on the ground for a hoss swap." "Did you want to trade the horse you were riding this morning ?" "Yes, jedge, that's the very critter." "You are excused, sir."
Judge Mayers was born four years after the admis- sion of Mississippi as a State in the Federal Union. His recollection of prominent men and events in the State are perhaps more accurate than almost any man now within its limits. His native county was prolific in honors won by her citizens, and not only their his- tory, but that of others who contributed largely to the civilization of the State, is remembered by him. It has been one one of the pleasures of his judicial career that he has held courts in all the counties in which he has lived and practiced law. On one occasion, while holding Jasper county court, for some misdemeanor, he ordered a man to jail for twenty-four hours. In a few minutes a neighbor of the unfortunate person in prison walked up to the judge's stand, and in rather a loud whisper, said : "Judge, you should not have sent that man to jail; he is a distant kinsman of yours." His honor replied, in a much louder whisper: "If a man can't send his kinsfolk to jail who can he send ?"
By a change of venue, the noted case of Col. Jones S. Hamilton, charged with the killing of Roderick D. Gambrell, was carried to Rankin county. The trial lasted forty-six judicial days. Judge Mayers presided, and demonstrated not only his ability as a jurist. but exhibited a most commendable degree of patience.
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With a superior knowledge of human nature, sincere and ardent in his friendships, genial and generous, possessing breadth and discrimination, and devoted to his church, he always receives a hearty and sincere welcome from those who have the pleasure of his ac- quaintance. He is still active, his mind clear, with an almost unerring memory. He has a beautiful home at Brandon-a carefully selected library of choice books. The yard is shaded by imposing forest trees, and the woodlawn extensive and picturesque. Always fond of poetry and music, the judge, "in days of yore," drew a delightful and sweet bow, and now when entertaining friends at his hospitable home, he occasionally brings out the fiddle and the bow and dispenses the sweetest of music. Scotch and Irish airs, interspersed with dancing tunes of "long ago"-"Logie O'Buchan," "Rory O'More," "Coming Over the Borders," "Comin' thro' the Rye," "Wearing of the Green," "Come Haste to the Wedding," "Forka Deer," etc.
Judge Mayers has been a prominent figure in East Mississippi for half a century, and this writer indulges the hope that the Great Master will smooth his path- way for the remainder of his journey.
CHANCELLORS OF NEWTON COUNTY.
CHANCELLOR CHRISTIAN.
Judge CHRISTIAN was appointed chancellor of the dis- trict in which Newton county is embraced, and served acceptably to the people of the county and district. He was considered an able chancellor and upright man, and his removal was regretted by the people of the district.
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CHANCELLOR DENNIS.
JUDGE DENNIS was appointed to fill the vacancy caused by the removal of Judge Christian, and served only a short time-probably held one or two courts in Newton county. After that the appointments by Gov- ernor Stone were made, and Hon. T. B. Graham was appointed, the first under Democratic rule in the State.
CHANCELLOR GRAHAM.
Hon. Thomas Keith contributes the following sketch of Judge Thos. B. Graham, chancellor ;
The subject of this sketch, Hon. Thos. B. Graham, is a native of the State of Alabama, and was moved by his parents to this State in his early youth, about the year 1864, and was reared to manhood in the ad- joining county of Scott. He received a collegiate edu- cation, having graduated with distinction at the Uni- versity of North Carolina. Soon after leaving college he chose the law as his profession, and after thorough preparation, entered upon a lucrative practice in the county of Scott and the adjacent counties. He was for a number of years the law partner of the late A. B. Smith.
A patriot, he was active in raising the first company of volunteers in the cause of the Southern Confederacy that enlisted from Scott county ; was elected captain of the company, from which position he rose to that of colonel, and at the surrender of the Confederate forces he was in command of the 20th Mississippi Regiment.
He was a member of the State Senate from the dis- trict composed of the counties of Scott, Jasper and Newton at the time of Governor Ames' impeachment, a position in which he wielded great influence, partic- ularly in all legislation pertaining to finance, he being
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perhaps the best posted man in the State as to the financial condition of the State.
Governor John M. Stone, recognizing his eminent fitness for the office of chancellor, during his first term as Governor appointed him chancellor of the district, which office he has held continuously to this date, and is now universally recognized throughout the entire State as one of the best chancellors who has ever pre- sided in the State.
In politics, Chancellor Graham is a Democrat of the true type, and is well posted on all political questions, both State and national. He is yet in the prime of life, and well qualified to fill any position to which he may be called.
His postoffice address is now Forest, Scott county, Miss.
CHANCELLOR EVANS.
Sketch by Col. J. J. Shannon :
The writer first met Judge Evans in Paulding, at the April term, 1848, of Jasper circuit court. He resided then at Marion, Lauderdale county, and though a young man, was recognized as one of the prominent lawyers of the district. Newton was then in the Fourth Judicial District and extended from Noxubee county to the seacoast. From that time to the suspension of legal business by the war in 1861, he was employed in most of the important civil and criminal cases in the district, and was conceded to be at the head of the bar. As a circuit court lawyer, he had no superior in the State. He was a skillful pleader, prompt to grasp the strong points on his side of the case, and quick to take advantage of any mistake by opposing counsel. Besides, he was a forcible, able and logical speaker, and a most successful advocate before a jury. During 25
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the many years that he practiced law in Newton, there was no lawyer who attended better known to the peo- ple of the county, and none who stood higher in their estimation.
He was a native of New York, but came to Missis- sippi while quite a young man. He was ever true to the fortunes of his adopted State, and no native of the South espoused our cause in the great struggle for in- dependence with more zeal and fidelity than Judge , Evans.
At the close of the war he resumed the practice of his profession and was employed in the most impor- tant cases in the district, until his appointment by Gov. Lowry as Chancellor, on the 12th of May, 1883. He was re-appointed by Gov. Lowry, May 12th, 1887, and by Gov. Stone in May, 1891, and resigned in March, 1891.
His retirement from office was regretted by almost the entire bar of the district, and he was regarded, during the time he held the office, as one of the best, if not the best, Chancellor in the State. He performed every duty of the office with the most scrupulous care and fidelity. He insisted on a strict accounting from administrators, guardians and trustees, and in that way many estates were saved by his vigilance for the benefit of minors.
His integrity and strict impartiality were conceded by all, and his retirement from the bench was a loss to the State and to the people of the district.
. CHANCELLOR HOUSTON.
WILLIAM T. HOUSTON was born in Newburn, Ala., May 4th, 1849. He is son of S. M. Houston, and his mother was Miss Mary E. Herndon. He was educated in Alabama, and studied law at Washington Univer-
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sity, St. Louis, Mo. He began the practice of law at Okolona, in the fall of 1872. Was elected Senator in 1885, from the 10th District of Mississippi, composed of the counties of Chickasaw and Pontotoc.
On the 27th of May, 1874, he was married to Miss Mary Fooshee, who came to Mississippi from North Carolina, in 1857. He removed to Aberdeen in 1887, and to Meridian in 1889, where he succeeded to the practice of Judge Thos. H. Woods. He was appointed Chancellor for the district of which Newton is one of the counties, April 4th, 1892. Judge Houston's home is at Meridian, Miss.
DISTRICT ATTORNEYS OF NEWTON COUNTY.
ATTORNEY WOOD.
HON. GEORGE WOOD, who was for a number of years district attorney in the district in which Newton county was embraced, was a native of the State of Connecticut, but many years ago came South and was fully identified with the people of Mississippi. He was considered a good lawyer and a faithful State's attorney and served probably from 1847 to 1858 and was succeeded by Richard Cooper. After the war he was appointed, by Gov. Stone, Chancellor for the Merid- ian district, which position he held until his death and was succeeded by Hon. S. Evans.
RICHARD COOPER.
Contributed by Capt. W. H. Hardy :
RICHARD COOPER was elected district attorney in the 4th Judicial District, which embraced the county of Newton, in 1858, and was re-elected in 1862, thus
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filling that responsible position for a period of eight years .:
He was born in Savannah, Georgia, the 26th day of March, 1818, and when nineteen years old came to this State, and settled at Brandon, in Rankin county. In 1838 he taught school in that county and read law at night by the light of pine-knot fires, and the following year moved to the Republic of Texas and settled in Montgomery county, where on the 26th day of Sep- tember of that year, he was admitted to the bar by the district court of the 4th Judicial District.
He had previously, before going to Texas, been united in marriage with Miss Margaret V. Garvin, of Nashville, Tenn. Becoming dissatisfied in Texas he returned to Mississippi and entered upon the practice of his profession. At the time of his election, 1858, he resided at Raleigh, Smith county, but removed the next year to Brandon, where he lived till his death, which occurred on the 4th of January, 1874.
Mr. Cooper was small in stature, but handsome in form and feature; black hair, dark brown or hazel eyes, a bright, benignant face, and possessed of a most- amiable and cheerful disposition, he was universally admired. As an evidence of his personal popularity, he was elected district attorney in a strong Democratic district, although he was an ardent Whig.
He was a good lawyer and a model prosecuting at- torney for the State. He was a graceful and fluent speaker with a splendid voice. On the hustings he was second to no man of his time unless perhaps to Mr. Prentiss.
He was Grand Master of Masons in 1859 ; Bell and Everett elector in 1860, in which he made the most brilliant canvass of the State, known since the days of Davis, Prentiss and Foote. In 1868 he represented
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Rankin county in the Constitutional Convention which reconstructed the State.
He was a man of great personal magnetism and was loved by all who knew him, and he was known far and near as "Dick Cooper." He was intensely social, leading, as that quality often does, to conviviality. Alas ! that was the weak place in his armor, and the fatal shaft penetrated it, and like that other great genius, whose career, though so brief, illumined the history of our State with its genius and oratory, Pren- tiss, his . constitution was undermined and gave way, and he died, as before stated, lamented throughout the State and was buried at Brandon with Masonic honors.
He was for several years conscious of his approach- ing end, and had made peace with his Maker, and died as becomes a Christian. Peace to his memory !
THOMAS H. WOODS.
Sketch contributed by Capt John W. Fewell :
THOMAS H. WOODS, who long held the office of dis- trict attorney for the district embracing Newton county, was born in Kentucky in 1836. He removed with his father's family to Mississippi in 1847. He was educated in the common schools of the country and at Williams College, Massachusetts. He was ad- mitted to the bar at De Kalb, Kemper county, in 1859. He was elected to the Secession Convention of 1861, and was the youngest member of that historical body. When Mississippi seceded, Mr. Woods volunteered and entered the Confederate States service. He became a captain in the famous 13th Mississippi Regiment, of Barksdale's-afterwards Humphreys'-Brigade of the Army of Northern Virginia. Returning home with the handful of survivors of his regiment when the war had
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ended, Capt. Woods at once resumed the practice of his profession. Although his experience was limited, his talents and capacity were immediately recognized and he was elected, in 1865 to the responsible position of district attorney. To that place he was re-elected in 1866. He was removed from the office by the mili- tary government in 1869, and resumed his private practice successfully. But, on the restoration of the civil authority, he was again elected district attorney in 1871, and again re-elected in 1875. He was elected to the Legislature in 1881, and served very conspicu- ously in that body in 1882-'83.
In the meantime, he had built up a large and lucra- tive practice, to which he devoted close attention, until he was appointed, in 1889, to the office of Judge of the Supreme Court, and he became chief justice of that great tribunal, to fill an unexpired term. In 1891 he was reappointed, and for a full term of nine years ; he is still on that bench. It will thus be seen that Judge Woods' career has been a most honorable and suc- cessful one.
As a soldier, as a private citizen, as an official, Thomas H. Woods has always done his duty. One can find no words more really eulogistic than these. Of great talents, of unquestioned integrity, of the most winning manners and captivating address, of great powers as an orator, a forceful writer and a learned lawyer, Judge Woods has been and is entitled to the high distinction to which he has attained. His opin- ions as a judge are pointed, clear and cogent, and his reputation as a sound and learned expounder of the law is spreading to other States of the Union.
In the prime of a splendid manhood, Mississippi may well expect new achievements by her son, upon whose brow she has already placed a laurel wreath in
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recognition of his past services. The name of Thomas H. Woods is written in a conspicuous place in the roll of Mississippi's great men.
ATTORNEY SIMON JONES.
Simon Jones was appointed district attorney by Gov. Jas. L. Alcorn in 1870, and continued until 1872, when Hon. Thos. H. Woods succeeded him, being elected by the people. Mr. Jones was a native of Marion county, Miss., was not a man who was acceptable to the peo- ple, and they were pleased to be rid of him.
ATTORNEY A. Y. HARPER.
The following sketch of Col. A. Y. Harper, who was district attorney for the district embracing Newton county, is furnished by a friend who was closely asso- ciated with Col. Harper in most of his official life :
COL. A. Y. HARPER was born in Sumpter county, Ala., about 1835 or 1836 ; when about fourteen or fifteen years old he removed with his parents to Scott county, *Mississippi, and pursued his studies in the common schools of the county until he was prepared for college, and then entered the State University, at Oxford. At the beginning of his college life he took a high stand in his class, and graduated with the first honor. After leaving college he commenced the study of law and was admitted to the bar a short time before the late civil war. He formed a copartnership with the late Hon. Richard Cooper, at Brandon, Miss., and pursued his profession until the breaking out of hostilities between the States, immediately after which he raised a company, was elected captain, and united with the companies in forming the 6th Mississippi Regiment. At the battle of Shiloh, the field officers being all
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