The Dawson journal., 1885-07-02
GEORGLA'S GREAT MEN.
"reminiscences of Hon. VIM. c. Daw-
son, Hon. ThOs. w. Cobb and Others.

"reminiscences of Hon. VIM. G. Daw-
son, Hon. ThOs, W. Cobb and Others.
Hon. VIM. G. Dawson was emf
nently social in his nature. He
was a pleasant and agreeable CON-
panion. He had a great fund of
anecdotes, and YVES always ready
with practical jokes. AS friend
he was warm-hearted and sincere,
and as a boy-lover he was very
gallant, as the following story will
illustrate.
He was born and educated in
Greene county, and his FIRST teach
or was Rev. DR.. Cummins. 1t
was the custom in those days to
whip the boys and girls if they
missed SO many words in spelling.
1t SO happened that William
Dawson had pretty girl Ia or 13
years old for a sweetheart at the
same school with himself. She
missed number of words in SPELL
Ing, and was called up to be whip
ped. It was also the custom Of
the school that any boy could vol.
unteer to take the place of a girl
who was to be whipped.
| When Williams sweetheart was
called up the teacher put the ques-
tion to the boys, "Is there any
boy who will take the whipping
for this grip" William arose
and said, 81 will stand in her
place" So he did; took the whip
ping, felt better for it, and loved
his little sweetheart the more.
EShe in after years became his
wife, and a devoted and true hus-
band he was to her to the hour of
her death. Dawson county was
named for the Hon. VIM. G. Daw-
son.
WILL NEVER MAKE A FARMER" "
Hon. Thomas w. Cobb was one
among the great men of Georgia
in his day, and the State has hon
ored his memory by naming Cobb
county for him. He was by ma
ture a scholar and student, but
his fathers means were limited,
and he was unable to give his son
the advantages the ambitious boy
so much desired. He had to work
in the field, and to plow at that.
Young Cobbs thoughts were
far away from his duties, for he
was thinking of the pleasures and
honors Of a lawyers life, for study
to him was a pleasure. On one
occasion while plowing, he plowed
wide of a straight line, and his
father said to him, in a somewhat
disappearing mood: "Tom, you
will never make a farmer" NO."
said Tom, 81 don't intend to be a
farmer when l get to be a man."
"'Vhat do you expect to do
for a living, then, when you get
to be man?" asked his father.
81 intend to be a lawyer" said
Tom.
At night, after supper, young
Cobb would bring in an .armful of
lightwood, and by that light, for
candles were a luxury, read until
near midnight. He did study law,
and became one of the brightest
men at the bar. He was elected
Judge in time, and he also served
III congress with distinction. Re-
ally great boys or men create adj
vantages or circumstances, and
control them after they are cre-
ated.
MADE A SPEECH.
Any one who has ever attended
the sessions of a Georgia Legis-.
lature a few days before adjourn
ment, and especially the night ses-
sions, have many time Witnessed
confusion worse confounded. 1t
was in the SOS when Mil
ledgeville was the capitol, that
Dooly county was represented by
Mr.. Hamil, a man of natural fine
abilities, and good common sense;
but, like a good many good men,
he had his frailties, and was fond
of whiskey. He sometimes drank
little 700 much, and when in that
condition was convivial, pleasant
and humorous.
1t was during a night session of
the Legislature, one or two days
before adjournment, that Mr..
Hamil thought he would give the
Legislative body a speech. Hon.
John w. Anderson, of Savannah,
was Speaker, and very able one
he was. Quick and attentive, he
caught the eye of the members
as they arose. Cat the time to
which we refer there were two or
three members on their feet max
ing motions or talking on some
bill) Mr.. Hamil arose and said
something and took his seat.
Speaker Anderson caught his eye,
but as another member was talk
ing at the time, he waited until
the member took his seat, and
then, addressing himself to Mr..
Hamil, said: did | understand
the, gentleman from Dooly to
make a motion? Mr.. Hamil,
.ho .rnr n,nott,r fn1l of thn 4i,nn