The Wichita daily eagle., 1894-03-07
EARLY DAYS RECALLED.
Judge Herrick Tells OF the Matrimonial Oh
stacleS He Met With.

Ex District Judge James T. Hcrrick of
Wellington was in the city yesterday at
tending to legal business in the federal
court.
Judge Herrick is OF very quiet, modes t
aud retiring disposition, but when he ha 8
an nour or two to spare he becomes very
companionable aud indulges in some in
iereStlng conversations about the early
pioneer history of southern Kansas.
Judge Herrick came to Wellington in
1871 and out Of the thirty-tour lawyers who
were there at that time he is the only prac-
ticing one left. Before leaving Illinois
the judge was of that romantic age when
love took npl seat OF empire in his heart
and young lady who was then attending
the academy had completely captured
that Organ-in fact. she sent an arrow
quivering through it. He worked up his
nerve to the sticking point and proposed,
giving her, by way of inducement to ac
cept, TO understand that he was about to
come to Kansas, the land of milk, honey,
and glorious promises. She answered
him in the affirmative but with
supplementary statement that AS
she desired to remain at the academy
a few months longer he could go to Kan
sas and while she was finishing her educa-
tion he could be establishing himself. A
lighter heart never crossed the Missouri
and on a bright summer morning he
landed at Wellington with a volume of
Blackstone and u fairly respectable rem
nant OF Greenieaf on evidence. Seventy
Two passed and the judge didn't do much.
He cooked his own meals, made his own
bed aud lived on a dollar week The
next summer came and when be reviewed
the condition of his eXchequer he was
unable to make the necessary appropria-
tion for matrimonial engagement.
"a V-fn nd S,,1r
made II desperate attempt to accum-
ulate the necessary funds. All winter he
looked over the scanty stock of fashion
plates In That community to select dress
suit from, and when he had platoon of
gorgeous castles built in the air, the
grasshoppers came and knocked 'em
down. His sweetheart was ever faithful
to him, and she still insisted that her own
Jim was sure to come to the front. The
grasshoppers devastated the country and
the settlers laid it all to Grants admins
tratiou and the Republican party. The
result was that reform movement start
ed, and the next fall the Democratic ticket
swept the country from Palestine to Bluff.
Mr.. Herrick was appointed Probate judge
aud in u short time his financial star as.
ceuded. With we'll filed pocket he
went back to Illinois. married his sweet
heart and today they are the happiest
couple In all Sumner coun9y. In 1886 he
was elected district judge over Republi-
can opposition of 1900 majority and
served for four years. When he was elect.
ed probate judge he ran on the same
ticket with Castor Beans Carter, who was
also elected to the legislature. Carter was
the only Democratic me ber in that body
and the Republican members always re-
ferred TO ulm as ''the leader of the opposi-
ton" 1t made Carter proud and
one day he complained to the
speaker that he was not treating him
right. Why" said he. you have never
yet called me To the chair To preside over
the committee of the whole As the
leader of the opposition, l am entitled to
some recognition" The speaker took tue
hint, and when Bra6ford's famous castor
bean bill cane up Tor consideration. Car
ter was called to the chair. That was a
me morable day in the legislature for jol-
lity, and ever since then Carter has been
dubbed Castor Bean Carter"