Semi-weekly interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1881-1905, 1897-12-24
THE STANFORD BAR.

"REMINISCENCES ny COT. T. =. HILL.
just prior To the beginning Of thu
late Civil war, the lawyers wno prac-
ticed before the jidge IT the Liucoin
circuit court we're probably ~ able and
eloquent as any set Of men tnat ever as
semblcd at any bar In the rural dis
tricts of Kentucky. These included
Hon Joshua r. Bell, Hon, T. 7, Fox.
Hon, George w. Dunlap. Allen \ Bur-
ton aud Hon. George L. Mckee. who
lived In adjoining counties. At the
stanford bar was Hon. John kiuca.d.
These were ID" most prominent mem
bers OF the profession. There were IA
the various counyies referred To above
number OF young attorneys Of less
note at that time who have since ac'
quircd very high standing In the pro-
fessiOn
Hon. Zachuriah Wheat, OF Adair, az
terward governor; Thomas Bramlette,
also chief executive of Kentucky. aud
Hon. NJ. j. Durham, OF Dauville, were
successfully the judges OF the Lincoln
circuit court,
The most eloquent OF these lawyers
was Hon. Joshua +. Bell, of Boyle
county. He had classical education
and thorough literary culture; "A very
fine voice. the most mclodious | ever
listened TO from any public speaker;
aud his gesticulation was almost per-
feet. To these qualities he added hne
imagery, wit and sarcasm, AN mex
haustibe fund Of auecdote, which he
related with more marked effect than
have ever known produced by any 9TH
er public speaker; with salllcs of elo-
queucethat transported TIE jury and
the crowd. carrying them captive at
the will OF the speaker. He was also a
man OF the highest personal honor, aud
possessed an individual magnetism that
attracted the bearer and held him a
willing captive To the argument and
eloquence OF the speaker Mr.. Bell
was the most eloquent speaker OF all
the great men of Kentucky TO whom |
have ever listened. Added 10 Mr..
Bells other gifts aud requirements, he
was very fine lawyer. having studied
critically and well both the federal aud
State constitutions and the common
law.
Next To him, Is a jury lawyer and
public speaker. stood Hon. George X.
Mckee. He was not inferior To Mr..
Bell in any of the attributes OF pub
lie speaker except In the matter of his
voice and in personal magnetism. He
was a very able lawyer, in fact surpass-
ed by few in the State His voice was
distinct aud commanding, his manner
natural, his language chaste and Gull
tured, and his ideas distinct and clear.
His knowledge OF the common law was
wonderfully great, and he illustrated
his points, not by anecdote, as did Mr..
Bell, but by biographical, poetic and
historic illustrations. all of which he
was master
Next TO Hon. George II. Mckee. as a
public speaker, probably ranked Hon.
Fontaine I. Fox, who was a very line
lawyer and rapid, captivating speak
er, who held his audience spell-bound
by his logic and wit, OF which he was
an accomplished master, and to which
he would add AN anecdote, bringing In
ridicule or sarcasm most effectively.
His voice aud manner OF delivery were
unexcelled; without the gift OF elo-
quence possessed by Mr.. Bell, he yet
held the attention Of his audience by
the fire of his spirit, fine personal APP
pearance, true generosity of heart and
honesty OF purpose shown In his coun-
tenance, personality, manner and