Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-08-24
GEORGIAs JUDGES AND LAW.
YERS.
Some Gossip About Few of Them who
WAR. y rnrn I.a ant Man.. Nan..

were Prominent Many Years Ago.
Judge James Thomas was az one time
Judge of the Northern circuit, and whose
home was in Hancock county, was a
planter of large means. The Judge, like
most other men, had his hobby, and he
took up with the idea that Bermuda grass
was crop worth raising, though it was
growing all over the country, and farmers
were doing their best to keep it out of
their fields.
1t was the kind Of grass that DIR. Robt.
Martin told Mr.. Pettigree drove some Of
the Georgia planters to hill. Judge
Thomas had different idea. He planted
field of it.
1t 50 happened that planter from an
adjoining county, who was doing his best
to kill Bermuda grass, passed by Judge
rs plantation, and seeing the negroes
planting something could not imagine
what it was. His curiosity took him out
of his buggy to look at the field, and, call
ing negro to him, asked him what he
was planting.
"Bermuda grass" said the negro.
Bermuda what?' asked the planter,
for he thought he must have mIsunder-
stood the negro.
Bermuda grass" said the negro again.
Bring some of that here to me- said
the planter, and looking at it said, "W no
is your mastery
Judge James Thomas" answered the
negro.
"Boy," said the planter, sis not your
master q d-n fool?'
"Don know, SIR"
"Well, he is" said the planter, ''for 1
am do ng my best to kill il, aud he is act
ually planting it. He must be tn
fool and getting into his buggy must
have thought what strange creatures we
mortals be.
NO USE FOR MINISTER'S.
Judge Owen Kenan, 80 the story goes,
had no use for minis ers of the Gospel,
especially did be dislike Methodist min
listers. Perhaps their zeal and the way
they talked about fire and trlmstone in
the world to come, rather annoyed The
Judge. who did not believe in such tn ngs.
He was positive character, and man
OF strong likes and dislikes, and he would
not entertain minister, for their thoughts
We're so at variance.
On one occasion a traveller, about dark,
stopped at his house and asked for lodging
for the night. He was on horseback, and
presented many Of the characteristics of
Methodist minister.
"No," said the Judge; 81 do not enter
tain travelers'
But" said the traveller; 81 have rid
den long ways to-day, and am very tired
and would be pleased il you would take
me in. will be satisfied with any kind Of
fare"
mo-" came in sharp and decisive words
from the Judge.
No pleading of the traveller could change
the Judges determination, and when he
told the traveller he could be accommo-
dQtnd Qhont thraa rnifaoafY1 rfhat IN ba
traveller gave him one look of contempt
and said
"Well, you are the d-est, meanest man
have ever met. and nave met many"
"Light, sir; light, sir. will entertain
you. | thought you were a Method st
minister, and don't entertain those kind
OF people,"
II the Judge changed his religious views
In the sunset Of life the fact was not pub
lished.
HOWELL AND TOM COBB.
Georgia never produced another pair OF
brothers so different in talents and tastes,
temperament and temper, as Howell and
! and Tom Cobb. Howell Cobbs element
was in political strife and party politics.
Tom Cobb was never so happy as when in
court before judge and jury. Intellect
ually both were great and their lives
were successful.
Tom CObb's mind was like an engine
with full head of steam on all the time,
ready to go off at any moment. Howell
Cobb was cool and collected and had ex-
cellent control of himself.
In the tittiee the writer attended Wal
ton Superior Court, and saw for the first
time the two brothers as opposing eoun-
sci. The vigorous style and manner Of
Tom was very noticeable. After he had
made his argument before the jury Howell
answered him. In sitting the evidence
and applying the principles of law, Tom
would every now and then interrupt him
with side remarks and comments. Howell
stood IL as long as his good nature would
permit, and as Tom was sitting only two
or three feet from HIM, no put his hand on
Toms head, patting 1t, and in a pleasant
way said:
"Young man, YOU keep quiet; you have
had your say, and L want to have mine,
now be STILL"
"Well," said Tom, ''go on l won't inter-
rupt you any MORE" and he kept his
word.
Judge james jackson, now of the SUI
preme Court, was the presiding Judge.