Iuka reporter. (Iuka, Miss.) 1888-1894, 1892-09-08
slDEsHow
To Mississippi History.
BIOGRAPHICAL.

franklin +. Plummer, a Massachusetts
boy in Mississippi. Before he was 81
years OF age, worked his way on a
sailing vessel from Massachusetts to
New Orleans. A wallet of clothing
and IS in cash represented his stock.
lie made his way to Pearlington, Mis-
sissippi. and Immediately set about
getting up a school. He could read,
write, and cipher up to the Rule of
Three. He was the walking encyclo-
pedta OF that community. 1.-The
country all around declared how much
he knew. Twas certain he could write
and cipher too; Lands he could meas
ure, terms of tide presage, and even
the story ran that he could gaugol In
arguing too, the parson owned his
skill, For even tho vauquished, he
could argue still. While words OF
learned length and laundering sound,
Amazed the gazing rustics ranged
around"
AT this time Simpson county was
erected. Westville was the county
seat. Thither Plummer fastened.
There is a tide, etc" The shingle
over the ofIicedoor bore the inscription;
FRANKLIN E. Plummer, Att y at Law
His library consisted of Poindexters
Revised Code, a pamphlet copy of the
acts OF the last Legiglature, and one
volume of Blackstone on Grimes and
Misdemeanors. Nobody ever saw him
reading. He sat about the public pla-
ces and talked with the boys. But he
was successful at the law. controlled
at least nine-teuths of the business
within his circuit. Two men quarrel
ed about a will; one said. Il will sue. {"
The other said, ''sue and be id
They separated. each started for Plum
mer by different roads. and faced each
other at his office at the same moment.
Each claimed him as COUNSEL, but he
made them decide it by pitching up IL
dollar-heads or tails--and he who
won paid him the fee'
He was the first representative from
his county, was master of the House
from the first. In 1929 he ran against
three of Mississippi's strongest men
for Congress, and to the astonlshment
of everybody, especially his opponents
he was elected He knew how to can
vass. He brought the finest article of
"cheek" from his Massachusetts home
At Benton. Yazoo county, Monsieur
Parisott was keeping hotel. Plummer
put up there, ate. drank and was fner-
ry with many friends at the table and
bar of the hotel. Thon he made his
speech and ordered his horse. Pari-
soft had followed him to the door with
his bill in his pocket. intending to
present it there. just then Plummer
called out to the crowd: attention
Gentlemen Before leaving Benton, /
desire publicly to acknowledge the
unbounded hospitality of my worthy
friend. Parisott, who stands here
modestly behind me. He is true
samaritan. He found me weary, hun
CRY and thirsty, and he comforted me.
He has placed his table and bar at my
disposal, as you gentlemen can testify.
He is the prince of tavern keepers,
delights in feastng his guests and
never say a word about pay. God
bless you, my dear friend. Plummer
will never forget you. Gentlemen,
farewell" The crowd shouted and
Plummer was gone.
He and Judge Harry Cage agreed TO
canvass together. Cage pleased the
mother very much by kissing and pet
ting her little daughter. Plummer
captured her completely when he took
up her baby boy, laid him across his
lap turned up his little dress and set
about hunting Red Bugs! They are
powerful bad" said Plummer, land
mighty hard ON babies" They stop.
ped all night with an old couple; Cage
recommended himself by chopping a
turn OF wood and carrying ii in. In
the morning he missed Plummer, but
found him at the cowpen. The old
lady was milking. Plummer was hold
ing off the calf by the tail Cage was
furious. He told Plummer they would
have to part company.
At one time Plummer was charged
with being an Aholitionist in disguise.
This is how he met the chcrge: He
secretly had printed and circulated a
number OF handbills, in which he was
charged on the authority OF Gen. Ar
thur Fox of having vented abolition
sentiments in his hearing. and of hav-
ing induced several of the Generals
slaves to abscond. Fox was a we'll