The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1868-08-07
TEIGS COUNTY.
The Crops--'V'he RecOnstructcd--
General Prosperity and Good
Fcclings-AnccdOte OF the Oldcn
Time.

EditOr POSt:-l have been making q
business trip through the good county
of Meigs-somctimes called the estate
of Meigs"-and it gives me pleasure to
report prosperous condition of affairs
in that part of old Proc's kingdom. The
new wheat crop was short, but the grain
is good and the county will have sur
plus. The corn crop is very promising,
and there will be a large surplus made.
The citizens of Mcigs have always been
noted for their thrift and industry; and
the misfortunes of the war have infus-
ed new energy into their eXertions.-
This is especially true of the recon-
structcd. of whom there is large num-
Der in the county. 1t was my good for
tune to visit two gallant cX-Colonels of
the Lost Cause while there. | found one
of them in his meadow cutting Afass,
and the other in his wheat field, haul
ing wheat. Before the war these two
gentlemen were in fine circumstances,
each being the owner of good farm
and having around him all kinds Of pro-
perry that it took to make an East Ten
ncssce farmer independent. The war
and damage suits took all these things
away, and left them as poor as the poor
est. Yet they did not set down to use
less rcpining; they did not take to
strong drink to drown their misfor-
tunes; but they cheerfully went to
work, with strong arms and unconquer-
able energy, to build anew their bro
ken fortunes. The result is, that they
are making good livings, and are loved
and honored by the entire people among
whom they reside. will add here that
these two gallant gentlemen arc but the
representatives of all the ex-Confede-
rates in Meigs. Indeed, there is peace
and harmony among the entire people
of that county, and their example is
worthy of imitation.
An anccdotc of two honorcd and de-
parted members of the legal profession
of our section was told me while there,
which is worth preserving. In the
good old times, when General Jackson
was the principal candidate for the
Presidency in Meigs, old Squire II.
accused Major G. of appropriating one
of his swine, and swore out Justices
warrant forgrand larceny against him.
Both Of the parties had host of friends,
and the affair stirred up the great deep
of old Mcigs. The trial was to come
off before 'Squircs A. and b. Old
Judge X. came over from Nj to
prosecute; old Col. Y. came from B
to defend; and the clansmcn of the par
ties assembled by hundreds to the trial.
Little constable r. began to feel the
pressure of official responsibility upon
him as he was told to put the witnesses,
whose name was legion, u'nler Rule.
There was a last consultation between
the counsel and their clients. After
which, Judge X, who had learned that
Squire A. was against his side of the
case, with merry twinkle in his eye
that seemed to say, "now I've got you,
Brother T." wrote out subpoena for
Squire a. and had Squire B. to sign
it; then giving it to the constable, told
him to execute it and put squire A. I'm
der tie rule with the other witnesses.
Old squire I. was on his feet in mo-
ment, protesting against the absurdity
of putting one of the Court under1w1e.
But the Judge had set upon the Bench
for many years, and his opinion was
law among all the Inhabitants of Mcigs.
50 he had his way. But while he was
explaining the matter to the Court, Col.
T. had been busily engaged writing out
Il subpoena for Squire b. (the other JUS
ticc,) which, getting Squire A. to sign,
he gave to the constable, and told him
to execute it and put Squire b. under
the rule too. This was gray horse of
another color. The Judge tried to ar
que that il was legal and right to make
a witness out of one half of the Court
and move him out under rule; but
that the other half must stay and carry
on the trial. The point, however, was
not susceptible of an argument, and the
Justices could not see it. So they both
went out under rule; and Col. II. start
ed for his horse. Just as he was about
to mount, little constable r., who was
not the least puzzled man in the crowd
by the strange turn things had taken,
ran up to him with the warrant, sub
pGnas, and all the papers of the case in
his hand and said, look here, Col. L. /;
what am to do with these papers ?"
The Colonel looked at him with pro.
voking smile, and as he rode off replied !:
Take them, and go to hill" And right
there the trial ended.
INT -