The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-07-30
TOLD OF GREAT JURISTS.
CHILDLIKE SIMPLICITY SHOWN by
CHIEF JUSTICE MARSHALL.

lie COuIdn't-UIs Thin Horses.
Judge Greer's knowledge aud Ola
Sayings-NeIson'S and CIi6ord's
Different WnNs-COmments ON Tan
ey After the Dred Scott Decision.
From the New York Sun.
Washington, July .2.-The dignity Of the
Supreme Court justices descends upon
even the humblest officers of the court. bat
occasionally one Of the old men who have
seen administrations come and go and
served under many great jurists will DO
come reminiscent. and at such times Is
sure to tell something well worth hearing.
One of them recently related some per-
sonal traits of dead and gone justices 20
an interested listener. Said he:
Chief Justice John Marshall seemed to
have been designed by nature to elucidate
great problems of law, and the good that
mankind received through his elevation 10
che bench first as circuit judge in Vir-
ginia ana later as chief justice of the Su-
preme Court of the United States, will ever
be a source of congratulation to the ma
ton. Revered as his name is. it is likely
that less is known of the personal appear
ance, habits, traits of character and do
mesic life of Marshall than of any one
ever occupying "a seat upon the Supreme
bench.
John Marshall was wen past middle
life when appointed chief justice by Presi-
dent Jefferson. He was tail and spare in
stature with the stoop of the scholar. and
most unconventional in dress; in fact, some
Well-worn garment. shiny and thin from
use, always held first place in his affec-
tons In winter he wore an old topcoat
that had seen faithful service. and he was
partial to a gray cloth cap with "a border
wide enough to turn down and well en-
Nelop his ears and neck. After taking IN
his residence in Washington he INDUCED in
long. solitary walks and was especially fond
OF visiting the market places and viewing
the display of poultry, meats and vege-
tables. He was chlldlike in his simpli,-
ity and lack of worldly KNOWLEDGE. and
these very traits made a glowing back
ground to his profundity in expounding the
intrcacies of the law.
1T is related of Judge Marshall that
while on the bench in Virginia, his circuit
embracing several counties, IL was his Gus
tom TO drive alone in a carryall from court
mousse 10 court house, and on one occasion
while passing along a narrow road through
a small wood, he was presently aroused
from absorption in deep thought by dis
covering that his horse was at standstil
and his way impeded by a good-sized sap
ling, which had been wedged between the
fore wheel and body of his wagon. He got
out and tried in every way he could devise
to extricate his team. He tried pulling up
the saplins, but 1t was too well rooted
Then he led breaking II off, but 1t was
too stout. Finally as he stood gazing at 1t
in bewilderment a negro came whistllng
along the road.
Here, my man., said the Judge: go
over to a neighbor and borrow an AK and
cut away this little tree for me. I'll not
get out of these woods before nightfaH
THE negro seeing the conditions. said:
oh, massa; you don't need no ak. / kin
git your boss out easy huff, and taking
the horse by the bride backed him, and in
minute had him and the wagon free. The
judge looked at the simple solution of the
perplexity and said:
" 1 thank you. l thank you. 1t is sim
pie enough, but I never should have
thought of that method of extricating my
self
"A family named Murray took up their
residence very near that OF the chief JUS
tioe. Both Mr.. and Mrs. Murray had la
bored industriously but unsuccessfully to
gain an entrance to the inner circle of the
more exclusive society. They were rather
coarse In manner fond OF displaying the
evidences of lavish wealth, were agrees
sive and domineerlng in their Intercourse
with menials and crnging and obsequious
toward persons OF social or profession
distinction. One cold, winter day Judge
Marshall I'm his shabby old great coat, and
with his gray cloth cap turned down over
his ears. was standing in the market house
at a little distance from poulterers stand
gazing in an distracted fashion at the dis
play while Mr.. and Mrs. Murray were
purchasing huge turkey. Murray observ-
ing the Old man nearby, beckoned to him.
handed card and said
q Here, my man, take This turkey to that
address Here's a shilling for you. Now,
hurry alongr
The Judge took the turkey and the sh.l-
ling ard walked to the front door OF the
house, where he said to the footman: Say
TO Mr.. Murray that Chef Justice Mar
shall, as neighborly act. brought his tur-
key home for him, and that he declines 10
take any pay for it, and he turned both
turkey and shilling over to the astounded
servant.
"Mr. and Mrs. Murray FASTENED to call
for the purpose of apoiogizing, but failed
10 secure an interview, and a long letter
OF explanation received no attention what
ever from the judge.
The carriage horses of the chief justice
were exceedingly thin, and his family told
him that it was currently hlnted that
jerry the colored coachman, exchanged
too great a proportion of the horse feed
for whisky for personal use TO allow the
i