The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1877-12-05
FRAGMENTS or THE EARLY HISTORY
OF OHIO COUNTY.
BY II. u TAYLOR.
CHAPTER XXXIIL

BY II. n. TAYLOR.
CHAPTER XXXIII
The last resident lawyers mentioned in
the foregoing chapters were Moses Cum
mings and Philip Thompson. After
their removal there was an interregnum
or vacancy of several years in the Hart
ford bar, and John CalhOon was the first
TO fill the vacancy, and in = few years al
forwards Dillis Dyer. Henry .Prtle, and
John II. McIIenry all became resident
members, and for period Of years per-
haps no bar in Kentucky eXcelled that
Of Hartford in legal, moral, and social
worth. John Calhoon was the son OF
old Judge Calhoon, Of Daviess county
was reared up in the wilds and swamps
OF Green River, with most limited edu>
cation and bad not more than looked into
Blackstone far enough TO answer such
stereo,yped questions as judges are in the
habit of asking. aud came to town as his
brother George afterwards said in per-
feet state of nature. and although too
prone 10 fall into the wild, rolicking
Customs OF the day INDUCED in by too
many citizens Of the town and county,
yet hif fine personal appearance, his plea
SAINT address, strong common-sense, clear
discrimiua in. intellect, natural eloquence
aud a personal combat during the sitting
OF court, with old Phil. Thompson, who
was then looked upon as the lion Of. the
bar soon rendered him r popular lawyer
Il was freoueutly remarked that without
and apparent enlargement or any reier-
euce 20 lsw-ho ks or legal authority, he
would argue profound and intricate qucs-
tions of law, relying alo"e upon the
broad principles OF natural justice aud
equity His sociSl qualities were mot
fascinating and his love OF fun unbOandcd
Oi tins an amusing instance 10 given III 4
former chapter in relation to his re'Iing
Otd III hCAIeSfN ASbNi o''Oi =" '''' '''
HE horse; another story Illustrative OF the
manner aud customs OF the times, NAV
an,use the reader. There was n whole
nrighborhood upon caneyNille remarka-
BILE for their love of Iun and irolic; Young
and old delighted TO Tip the light
fantastic toe" on every occasion. Ii was
Christmas iimes, and John Calhoon had
been invited TO the neighborhood-the
frolicing was kept mp, and adjourned from
house to house in the neighborhood Tor
several days and nights Cslhoon had
participated until worn ont. Tired ma
lures sweet restorer. balmy sleep in
vite,l him to repose in the first bed he
could procure. The graad Field Marshal
of all this fun and frolic was old Jake
not then an American citizen, but Of Af
rican descent, who. with his wooden leg
and fiddle, seated in q corner, like
a. towris tike, black, grim and large
To give them music was his charge"
Now, the same human nature that abo'
litionists claim should bring about al
amal gamation of races induced old jake
to seek rest also, and, where he sought
il, we will proceed to relate. Some time
in the night, Calhoon's lower extremiIie'
were annoyed with something too harC
and cold for human flesh aud blood; hal
frightened. half asleep and halt awake
he gave tremendous kick, which land
ed old Jake on the floor, and Calhoon
indignant at the insult, was about Il
pounce upon him; but old Jake, in an i'm
precating voice, exclaimed -" For
heaven, massa. / didn't know it wac
gentleman in that bed-I thought it wa
Ma.sa Frank Master Frank had beer
ring,leadrr in all this frolicing; thi
made Calhoon reflect on his associations
and the result was he mounted his hors
next morning for home. Had Mr. .CalhooI
confined himself TO the law alone. few
men in the State although it was theI
shining with galaxy of stars in the lie
gal profession, would have surpassed him
He had every qualification, except clos
application to study, yet what be faile
lto acquire By reading he Seemed TO absor
and gather up by his intercourse and pra'
tiee at tie bar. Ills popular manners
love Of excitement, and young ambition
soon drew him into that great vortex
politics in which. he had but tolerabl
success; lie was elected without mue
trouble TO that A B e school Of yopn
| politicians-ou State Legislature. Nei
he became a candidate for Congress
against Dr. Young Of EIizabethtowr
Dr. Young's location in the most pop
lous portios OF the district and his e,
Iensiye family connections, gave him
decided advantage, yet he only beat Ca
boon some twenty or thirty votes. Tn
only INSPIRED the latter with increase
ambition. Hardinsburg being a MOI
central point in the district than Har
ford, he removed to that place, in IL
mean time the Cog and Magog-tl
Jackson and Clay contest that eonvulse
not only Kentucky. but the whole Uniol
had doomed up. Mr.. Calboon. true
the insfiuets of n Kentuck vas (,