Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-03-20
JUDGE CATRoE.
PROM rHE wAsnrNcros "usIoy.

4
FROM THE WASHINGTON "usIos.'
The last number Of the United States Monthly Law
Magazine contains very interesting autobiosraphic
sketch of the life of this eminent jurst II is VIVID
picture of the difficulties and trials Of the sefmade man
in the Western country such il was when the author
entered upon the stage Of action in Tennessee II IS
also the picture of great natural mind stun orgnai IN
its style of expression and in its methods OF analysis
and the strong points oil case
with unerring judgment and applying them with force 70
the relations of life Not fashioned by the discipne OF
the schools the author had nothing to aid INN out ms
common sense in creating standard for speaking ana
writing He had books, and could read them but they
were studied at such intervals of time as aborous and
exposed life permitted They sources from which
ideas were obtained and the guides by which the
standards of composition and oratory formed in So
ciees lsng the possession Of universities and colleges
The consequence is that Justice CArRos is one OF the
most original and remarkable that ever sat ON the
bench of the Supreme Court With legal abilities rarely
attained facility in the investigation Of subject which
nothing but powerful memory and quick perception
can supply and accuracy Of judgment that strong
common sense alone secure he has style Of ex-
preston entirely his own and which will be recognised
in all his opinions.
We should be glad publish the whole of this biogra-
ply as know would be interesting to our readers
following short extracts:
ssThe Bible, being the common reader of my early
schools, of knew almost by memory OF geogra
ply learned more than most men, and know more now
With this confused of selftaught knowledge COM
menced to read law in April 1872 in the State of Ten
Up to this date had never been sick day or
hour and had frame rarely exceled-one that could
bear ardent and rigorous application for sixteen hours In
the day. and which was well tried for about four years at
something like this Late in 1915 tried my chances
at the bar and succeeded certainly in the main chance
of getting fees but then had good deal OF worthy eA
perence and avaled myself Of the cases in court through
out heavy circuit, of retiring brother lawyer and
friend, who elected to Congress To his business
attended taking the unpaid fees and as he had SIDE
in almost every important cause from the at
the start and which my elder brethren literally applied
for year two Having served campaign under Cen
Jackson, and brought home army popularity, the
Legislature Of Tennessee elected attorney for the gov
eminent my circuit when my law license had the sand
on it. The courts full of indictments for crimes,
from murder down Here had to fight the battle single
and alone and to work day and night. No man ever
worked much harder think Ny circuit Judge an
admirable criminal lawyer, and, being partly Scotch he
always for the State and leaned strongly against the
cuprit that got very WELL but often with an ar
rogance that would have done credit to Casereaghor
laundering in my law, certainly, if not bad grammar.
Like his lordship given to white wastcoats and
small clothes and drew pretty largely on the adventurous
aids furnished by the tailor.
aThe LAWYERS then travelled the circuit from county
county usually Of Sunday. Each man that was well
appointed carried pistols and holsters and negro waiter
with large portmanteau behind him. All went on horse
back The pistols carried only to shoot thieves
and robbers but fight each other, if by any chance
quarrel Matched up furnishing occasion for duel
then very favorte amusement and literally induged IN
and the attorney general for the circuit expected to
be and always was prepared for such contingency He
mana ged 10 keep from fighting however His equipments
were Of the best with led third horse and then for
the sake Of parade Many the anecdotes could fur
nish Of nights the roadside country tavern where
corps lawyers halted short of the county town. and
made as free with whiskey punch and empty bottles as
n M Galw
time games at cards overlooked But the law
of the circuit was that duel should come Of brawl on
these occasions. If any happened TO suffer from
smashed bottle, ne took il, and made up the spot
Zone station filled when at the bar, amounting almost
to monopoy it that Of drawing bills Of exception
AS writ Of lay in all cases, civil and criminal on
a refusal grant trial often the entire facts had
to appear with the judges charge them. We then
took few Of evidence having to do more in day
than could be done in week if all that witnesses said
tediousy written out the trial progressed. The
trial being ended then the exceptions required
once perhaps the last day Of the term The writing
always done the bar and in the confusion Of bust
ness. SO adroit did become by constant practice that
could for hours write down and detail what every wit
ness had deposed little annoyed by hustle and noise
If entirely alone being utterly absorbed rs not to
know what was going on but usually on ending the work
found leg asleep, and sometimes down. exceptions
in hand Just when please your honor had
the sound leg, and shift made to the numb one
~ defended in many criminal cases after removed to
Nashville in the defence very generally in the
mercial had much to do with chancery practice
and actions of eectment and decidedly famous for
enforcing the years act Of limitations in real
actions and, after divers defeats and rugged contests
had my revenge by entire success not much because
of any merit Of NINE but for the controlling fact that
John Haywood the leading judge in the court Of
errors and who had been champion my side of the
question for many years before he went the bench
and presently William L. Brown removed to Nashville,
and he too, enthusiastic on the same side This gen.
eman Of my own age, and by Tar the abest legal
debater then the bar but his frame too weak for
his great volume of brain he fell into spasms by over
exerti0n and died
These are rough details tina, will DO little credit 10
one in so grave place now fill, and especially not
in the cities this day In the days Of Spencer, Kent
and Thompson, they would have been understood they
set out under similar auspices and believed that ygor
and practical OF circuit practice and expe
rence That the fortunes Of such Jackson Clay
Polk and Benton and FIVE hundred others in the West,
depended knowledge Of and things thus acquired
personally know; nor could John Marshall, William
Pnkney, or Daniel Webster have succeeded much with
| out it,
The Mddletown Comm News says that on last Sab
bath morning there having been storm the night pre-
viousy, the young who had charge Of the meeting
house IN Cromwell found opening the stove, an owl
49, taH fNaor and