The daily union., 1852-03-10
Judge Catron

The last number of the " United States MonlhyLM
Magazine" contains a very interesting autobogap&
sketch OF the life OF this eminent urist tits vivid pc
ture Of the difficulties and trials OF the self made MANN
the western country, such it was when the author
entered upon the stage of action in Tennessee. lin
also the picture OF great natural mind, still orgn
in its style OF expressions and in its methods Of analysis
and monstraton--seiziDg on the strong points Of
case with unerring judgment, and applying them with
force TO the relations of life Not fashioned by the dt
cipne of the schools the author had nothing TO aid BIN
but his common in creating standard for speaking
and writing. He had books and could read then; bd
and exposed life permitted They were sources irou
which ideas were obtained, and not the guides by wha
the standards CT composition and oratory are formed
societies long in the possession of universities anlo
eges The consequence is that Justice CatIon ohtd
the most original and remarkable that ever on
the bench OF the Supreme Court. With legal abilities
rarely attaned-a facility in the investigation Oh sub
jsct which nothing but powerful memory and quick
perception can supply-and accuracy OF judgment
that strong common sense can alone secure-he hasa
style OF expression entirely his own, and which will
recognised in all his opinions.
We should be glad TO publish the whole Of liz
biography, as we know il would be interesting to ou
readers but have not the space at present for mon
than the following short extracts.
"The Bible being the common reader OF my early schoo.
OF course knew almost by memory Of geography
learned more than most men, and know more now VIA
this confused mass Of sell. taught knowledge, ! con
menced read law in April, 1872 in the State OF Tenpc
data had haau strEo iayo rhouf
and had frame rarely exceled-one that could bearr
dent and rigorous application for sixteen hours IN D.
day, and which was we'll tried for about four yan
something like this rate Late in 1915 ed my chances
al the bar and succeeded certainly in the main thHo
OF getting fees but then had good deal Of worg
experience. and availed myself OF the cases in eourl
throughout heavy circuit, OF retiring brother RVIa
and friend, who was elected 10 Congress. To bis oc'r
Iess attended, taking the unpaid fees and as be ha,
side in almost every important cause, Il run IRON M
score al the start, and which my elder brethren una
ally applied for year or two. Having served Gan.
pslgn under General Jackson and brought home on
army popularity, the legislature OF Tennessee eec'eo
attorney for the government in my circuit when my Nv
license had The sand II. The courts were full Of lhn
ments for crimes, from murder down. Here bad ot
the battle single and aone and to work day and nght
man ever worked much harder, think. My cireuiPF
was admirable criminal lawyer, and being paq
Scotch, he always went for the State, and leaned M@l
ty against the culprit so that got on very wen
often with an arrogance that would have done ereln
bad grammer. Like his lordship, was given 70 sns
wacoats and small clothes. and drew pretty arssy@
the adyentltious aids furnished by the tailor ..
The lawyers then travelled the circuit from eouOg
county, usually OF Sunday. Each man that wsVu,
appointed carried pistols and hosters. and negro vun
with large portmaneau behind him. All went on pu.
back. The pistols carried, not TO shoot lhlese
robbers, but 10 fight each other, II by any chance
rel was ha,cbed up furnishing occasion for dgel p
a very favorte amusement and literally INDUCED Ini ~
the attorney general for The circuit was expected
and always was, prepared for such contingency -
managed 10 keep from fighting, however HIS N.L
ments were of the best with led third horse now III III
then for the sake OF parade. Many the ahecdos,
could furnish of nights the roadside at country T
where the corps OF lawyers halted short OF ine e
town. and made as free with whlskey punch aDu eh1 h
bottles did our Irish brethren at Galway as asaoots
the same time; were games at cards ovenigV.sr, .r,
But the law OF the circuit was, that no duei show
OF brawl on these occasions. II any one hsppeui 40
suffer from smashed bottle, he took IT, and msO'
on the spot a.
"One station I filed when at the bar, amounting =. -
most to monopoly il was that OF drawing ols ,d
ception As writ of error lay IN all cases, ~ rhf,
criminal, refusal to grant new iriaI ollen h,n
facts had TO appear with the judges cnarse A. NOE
We then took few notes OF evidence, having % So %
in day than could be done IN week, u al i no.
nesses said was ediously written out as ine u,s re
gressed The trial being ended, then the ereepuo TIE
required at once perhaps on The last day o. ae M
writing was always done al the bar, and IN tne rr,
OF business So adroit did | become by consAII consI rha
tice that could for hours write down and dean hass
every witness had deposed, as little ANNOYED h,obsd
and noise as entirely alone, being so uIle n,aay
as not TO know what going on but usu .s. ssns
ending the work found leg asleep, and soms boo1
down, exceptions in hand, Just when please
bad come out on the sound leg, and shIi was "'
the numb one. M, removn
"i defended in many criminal cases after n. n n he
TO Nashville; was in the defence very geneIa.,r psc
causes had much TO do with ehaae e i,nos
tice and actions OF ejectment, and was deces rsas
for enforcing the years act oil hd
lions; and after divers defeats and rugged
my revenge by entire success not SO muen @ ,bat John
any merit OF mine but for the controlling Jag. ~ errOra
Haywood was the leading Judge 10 me cog, 'bs question
and who had been champion on my side o. p' nd pre-
for many wears before he went on the bench and be-
sepy William l. Brown removedto Nasnt Tb;" gsnsman