The Hartford republican. (Hartford, Ky.) 18??-1926, 1902-01-10
MECHANICS
Old Ben Hardin's Penchant
for Bestowing Them.
Gov. Wickliff Dubbed Big Digni-
, ty" and Judge Rowan the
"0ld Monarch"

No inan had q greater fancy for be
slowing names OF titles, which In his
mind armonized better with individ-
uals than their lawful sppellstious
than that famous lawyer, Ben Hardin.
Oue man who frequently did work
about Mr.. Hardin's home place. al
though familiar with his name, Mr.
Hardin persisted In calling him
Noble" because he reminded him OF
an early friend Of that name. Anoth-
er individual he hsbitually called
"Ephriam Smooth" for suggestive
reasons. His old-time friend Ben
Chsptze the record Of whose Gallo
lineage was plain to be read In his
dark features, black eyes, and raven
hair, he called the "Blsck Prince"
His kinsmau, Robert Wicklifi, Of Lex
ington, q man Of austere courtliness,
he dubbed The Duke" His early
rival. Judge Rowan, with his large
frame. surmouuted by leoniue head.
with deep mellow voice and splendid
presence, he called THE Old Mon
arch" A certain judge was only
known to Mr.. Hardin as 'Pontius
Plate" His penchant Tor this kind
Of invention was turned against him
on one occasion by Gov. Pope. when
they were anti Jackson candidates for
Congress against each other. The
object OF each was to win the favor OF
the Jackson men, as the votes Of the
latter, although greatly in the minor
ity In the district. might serve to
elect. On the occasion Of a debate OF
Mt. Washington Pope referred to his
respect for Gen. Jackson and to the
eontemptuous ridicule with which
Mr.. Hardin invariably treated the bid
hero, In always derisively calling him
"King Jackson" The charge Of Pops
was entirely accurate, but II so hap
pened that the Democrats OF that dis
trict had not heard Hardin deal with
his msjesty.
"Yes," said Mr.. Hardin in reply.
with an audsclty not quite candid,
al do call him King Jackson and
the American citizen who can meet
the hero Of New Orleans with his
clear. blue eyes. and tall manly form
and not feel that he is In the presence
Of the equal Of any King that ever sat
on a throne, Is unworthy to live in
free country" II may be observed
that liking Jackson" men in that re
gion voted Tor Mr.. Hardin with great
unsnimity In the following election
In his o vsly speech 10 IS47 he de-
risively and. persistently called Gov.
Owsly "The Distinguished Wing"
When Mr.. Mitchell his assistant In
the Secretary OF States Office, tool
the Governors side In the controver-
sy between the latter dubbed him
Duke OF Buckingham" and habit
ually referred to him as "his grace,
the Duke"
In the Constitutional Convention
he threw Mr.. Guthrie into a towering
rage by a speech In the course Of
which he called Mr.. Guthrie (who was
a man Of large physical proportious)
Goliath of Gath" Charles A.
Wickliffe a man of courtly manners
and drees was either my cousin
Charles" or. II In a less respectful
mood "big Dignity"
Mr.. Hardin had an o-er-masterine
habit of talking to himself
habit which became more confirm
with increasing years. In the court
house, on the street, riding horseback
especially whenever alone or In mo
ton. the struggling thoughts Of his
busy brain found utterance In sLbduet
mutteriugs accompanied by gesticu
lstion.
Iu a will case. where he was sssail
Ing the capacity Of the testator, on