Sharp County record., 1878-04-05
Georgia Family Feud.

A Georgia Family Feuu'
The VS. and the F-s are the
two principal families in Northeast
Georgia, and it is popular SuppoSluon
that a man born here is nearly OF re-
motely connected with one OF these Two
families. As is usually the caSe' The
VS. are Jealous of the F-s' ana
the F-s make war on the vs. II
W and F. get into quarrel,
others are embroiled, and personal
dispute oftentimes assumes mamnIotn
proportions before it is definitely settleu:
They tell a good story in Dahlonega Oh
this peculiarity. Circuit Court was III
session and a F. was on the Dencn'
The court and county officers were
about equally divided among the two
families. The Courthouse in Dahlone-
ga is arranged with the courtroom IN
the second story, the first floor being
used as offices for the county ottlclals.
A wide hallway runs through the build
ING and two Sights of stairs connect the
first floor with the courtroom. Court
was in session, and the room was pack
ed A noise and hubbub IN the hall be-
low arrested the attention of Judge, Ju-
ry, attorneys, and spectators. Curses
and loud words were plainly heard. 1t
was evident that fight was going on.
"Mr Sheriff, commanded the Judge,
"take those disorderly parties into GUS
tody and bring them up here. | will
teach them to have proper respect Tor
this honorable Court"
Thus directed, the Sheriff left the
room, but did not return. The tumult
waxed louder, and the quarrel was eyi-
IDENTIFY increasing instead of decreasing.
Occasionally pistol-shot was heard.
Several of the spectators and one or two
of the attorneys left the room. The
Judge looked around, and, espying
Deputy Sheriff, directed him to hasten
to the assistance of his chief. He went,
but did not return. The Coroner was
sent; he, too, remained below. The up
roar grew louder and the report of piS-
tolls more frequent. A Constable, two
bailifS, another Deputy Sheriff, and the
Clerk Of the Court were in turn COM
manded to preserve the peace and
uphold the dignity of the Court. Not
one of these officials returned, and the
room was nearly cleared of attorneys
and spectators, while the "tWelve good
men and true" twisted uneasily on their
bench in the jury-box. The face
of the honorable Court became
crimson with shame and anger;
and as the Solicitor-General laid
down his books and prepared to
leave the room, he dismissed the jury,
and, coming down off the bench, was
heard to remark that " he'd see if this
Court was to be treated with contempt"
Flushed with a consciousness of the
great indignity being offered his wor-
shipful person by the rioters below, his
Honor hastened down stairs. A crowd
was surging up and down the hall, mad
with passion. Pistols were brandlshed,
bowie-knives flashed, and the air was
heavy with smoke and curses. Pausing
for a moment on the stairway, the bet
ter to survey the field of battle, the
honorable Judge suddenly threw off his
official robe, pulled murderouS seven
shooter from his belt, and with the cry
of " Give 'em - boys!" jumped into
the crowd and lost his official identity
in the general rush. The F--s and
the VS. were at war, and not until
the latter party was at last vanquiShed
did the Judge return to his Bench
DahZ0neQN Letter TO PhilGClelphj0 Times.