Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-08-04
BEDFORD COURT "REMINISCENCES.
Qualification of Professor John ID.
NInOr-A Mountain Outing.


cial )-There is a record in the books Of
the Circuit Court in the Clerks office
there that "at a Circuit Superior Court Of
Law and Chancery, continued and held
for Bedford county, at the Baptist church.
near the town of Liberty on Wednesday,
the 18th day of October 1894, y. y. Minor.
Gent was admitted to the practice OF
law, and took the oath OF fidelity TO the
Commonwealth and TO support the
Constitution of the United States"
There is also record in the books Of
the County Court, that John Is. Minor
qualified TO practice law In that court
November q. 1884" Professor Minor lived
in Buchanan at that time. but was
frequently in Bedford, and several Of the
older citizens recall many pleasant remi-
niscenoes Of social intercourse with the
distinguished jurist. At the early date
when Mr.. Minor figured at the courts Of
this county, "Liber,.," as this place was
then styled. was a NSy small town, and
the courthouse had lot been built. The
Baptist church. then the only church
building. was used for holding courts,
and for all other occasions Of public
meetings, and II was in this church that
he qualified before both courts.
Judge Daniel. the father OF Senator John
w. Daniel. was the presiding Judge Of the
Circuit Court Joseph Wilson deceased
was Clerk Of the court. and the late Mr..
X. G. Mitchell was Clerk Of the County
Court
MANY DISTINGUISHED MEN.
These gentlemen occupied high positions
in the esteem Of the people. and have
many descendants still residing here. The
old church that formerly resound-
ed, first, with the eloquence OF such men
as Rev. Daniel VIII. Bishop Early. and
John Rice, and many noted diVnes; then
10 tho utterances Of Judge Daniel. Gala
hill. MINIS, Charles l.. Mosby John T.
Anderson, and a host OF other dstin-
guished lawyers. has passed through
many viclssitudes, and Is now the cosey
home az DR.. John w. Sale. The first
court held in the present courthouse was
I'm January. 1895.
THE MASONIC HALL.
The only other public hall OF that date
was the Masonic Hall, also used as an
Episcopal church. when Bishop Cobbs
often oficiated. This old building IS still
standing, and used by the Masons: but
in short time the Masonic Temple will
be finished This is a very handsome
structure and type Of the progress Of
the town from that early date to the
present.
There is a party. sojourning from an
outing, ION the heights" In a cabin on
the Apple Orchard mountain. which Is
the envy Of all who enjoy the genuine
Porte Crayon trip. Mr. and Mrs. W. II.
Mosby invited a party OF young people,
numbering about eighteen, to join them
In this trip. The members OF the party
are all at the delightful age when all OF
the experiences OF life are in the superla-
tive degree, whether of pain or pleasure.
and their adjectives emphasizing enjoy
ment VIII be exhausted in describing the
delights of their visit TO the mountain.
The Apple Orchard IS one OF the Blue
Ridge range, about eighteen miles distant
from here Peaks Of otter are spurs Of
this chain. and are well known to tour
lists: the Apple Orchard has been but little
frequented. 1t is 127 feet higher than the
Flat Top, the taller OF the twin noun
tains, and upon 1t many OF the noted
trout-streams have their source.