The comet. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1877-1882, 1879-03-01
LETTER FROM MERIDIAN.
MERIDIAN, February 81, 1879.

| ~ "'p A@uHOi " -" tV"ecS'
Although Mrs. M. and the little Ms ar
here, have drifted down to Waynesboro
d have to express gratitude to some stra
d COMETS lying loose around the bar (it j
h Circuit Court here now for the fun AM
: frolic of its articles. They relieve the en-
s mi of the Court room by the amusing
: John Smith and other articles as well al
by the racy and able editorials which CLEAN
from its columns The Supreme Cour
Decisions too, to the lawyer and intelligent
citizen, make it worth twice the price.
To be short, want it sent to Waynes.
boro. Now as to ever paying for it that
would require the widest stretch Of imagi-
nation to conceive its possibility, and I
would not do violence to your financial
skill by asking you to send it on a credit
The only plea to get it is, ex-editor. Yes
that is it. If that does not bring a sweep
of its tail 70 our town l am in despair. If
| its columns will not tickle the visibility of
the tar-hee ribs about Waynesboro enough
to secure list of subscribers, then I am
much mistaken.
| Circuit Court is now In the third week of
its agony. 1t is a little lively here just
now for criminals. Col. p. S. Layton,
charged with assault and battery with in
tent to kill and murder Col. r. L. Hender-
son, the widely known, popular sheriff of
this county, has changed venue to Clarke
county whose Court sits the latter part of
March He is in Jail in default of $500
bail. Hardy ami Grace are his attorneys.
My opinion is that poor Layton's mind was
laboring under some kind of temporary
alteration caused by his just rising from
yellow-fever bed and too much stimulants.
The great popularity of "Uncle Bob, )" who
stayed here through that terrible ordeal,
and endeared himself by his noble conduct
to the people, of course, caused, at least |
temporarily, much feeling against Colonel
L. b. @. Walker indicted for embezzing |
the funds of the Alabama Central Railroad,
n large sum, whilst agent at this place, will
have a hearing this week. While I am
writing District Attorney Ford and Cap
tain Woods, ex-District Attorney, are peg
gng away at case of burglariously enter
ing colored gentlemans domicil and then
pounding him not in accordance with the
form of the statute. Up to this time there
has been no indictment against Merritt for
killing Benton. He is in Jail, committed
without bail. There are other criminal and
civil cases of local, but not of general in
terest.
Two young gentlemen of character and
ability have been admitted to the bar-W.
c. Forsee and John H. Reagin
All local lawyers are here, but no "fur-
riners" this week
l. is n consolation to have n Judge who
and who has the ability to ex-
pound the law. Judge Hamm comes up to s
his standard. But if any lawyer thinks
20 get his vanity tlckled, he occasionally
loes, things gently with the judicial cur !
'y-comb, when buncombe plays its part.
Mansfield at times was q little brusque, and !.
toward counsel little healthy re-
1ulle, which caused some irritation, but was /
Usually reconciled by that eminent sua0ite /
u mOdO that cured the evils intended and
elevated any slight pangs from temporary G
hiding of counsellors Just here, bear v
witness for these many, very many years of v
Intimate acquaintance with his judicial
that he is worthy of high 4
ank among the foremost young American +
udges Indeed, for absolutely incorrupti- t.
lie integrity and impartiality, for accuracy :
nd fullness of legal knowledge, and general n
rudition and classic culture he deserves "
iche among even those English jurists who a
ave shed lustre on our jurisprudence.
The District Attorney, Capt. T. S. Ford, i
rosecutes with zeal and ability. When he il
cts after fellow, there are no such words il
5 "hold on"
''Uncle Bob" Henderson, Sheriff, keeps
verything in the best of order. He under Z
lands one important truth that to govern b
Zen well, you must keep them well pleased Il
18th themselves. Nature, the partial old u u
anne, was ont of humor with the rest OF
lankind" when she brought him into thi
ale of tears. He is, at least one of her el
etr. u
Our gallant and handsome Y oung friend q,
'. D Cameron, clerk, keeps the clerical G.
apartment in the most excellent order. 1t
treat. both to lawyers and al persons
ho have business about the court, to come 81
contact with him Nav his shadow never % -
row less. nj
Just as am closing, legal friend says
ley will get after me for saying 'tar-heels,
ld l had better put it ''ine tar heels, and ,,,
adopt the suggestion, because he says they ~
now how to fight down in that (my) coun- -,
v. Let it then be understood "Soe tar -
cells" nj
Yours, j l.. NJ ~