Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1904-08-26
FInI, J. Garrett.

ue auVenC Oh new polltlcal Iac-
tor in the politics of Tennessee has
furnished food for much editorial
thought among the newspapers Of
the State, and the personality Of
Finis j. Garrett, the young man who
defeated Rice A. Pierce in the con-
gressional race in the Ninth district,
Is the favorite theme with most Of
them. The Lauderdale County En-
terprise has the following entertain
ing and complimentary sketch Of
Mr.. Garrett in a recent issue of that
paper:
hight years ago in the course of
that marvellous campaign which re-
vealed to the country one of it's most
brilliant orators, William J. Bryan
spoke to a large crowd at Mckenzie.
At the conclusion of his speech a
slender young man, with compelling
dark eyes and perfect poise of man.
ner, ascended the platform and ad-
dressed the great throng Of people.
Although unknown to majority Of
his hearers, he held their attention
from the beginning, and as he pro-
ceeded the purity of his logic con-
vinced and his earnestness impressed
all who heard, while his sledge-ham-
mer sarcasm and rapier-like ridicule
brought shouts of laughter from the
delighted audience, and ut the cloee
he received an ovation equal to that
of the distinguished candidate fof
president. Then came forward an elo
quent speaker, a man who had been
honored many times with high places
Of public trust, and paid the youth
splendid tribute, predicting for him a
great future and concluding with the
words: "My young friend, all l ask
IL that YOU stay out Of the Ninth Con.
gressional district"
That youth, only 20 years Of age,
was Finis j. Garrett, school boy Of
Mckenzie, and his eulogist was Hon.
Rioe A. Pierce, congressman from the
Nlntn QlStT1Ct OF tennessee.
Finis J. Garrett was born in an
r humble home in Weaklsy county,
August 2e, 1875. His parents are
both living, and be 10 their only child.
His father was Confederate soldier,
and now resides on farm in Weak
ley county. In his earlier years Gar.
rStf w0rl.ah IN hte fofhar,. 70 ~,,, x,,,,
Ing school vacations, his first school
Ing being obtained at Como, q
school Of which he was the principal
some eight years later. He attended
ere session Of Clinton College at Gin.
ton. KY, and at the age Of eighteen
hscame editor Of the weakley County
Democrat at Dresden
At this time he published his first
poems. some Of which were praised
and copied extensively by the daily
press. Later on he assumed editorial
charge Of The Mckenzie Herald.
He was ambitious, with ideals and
a fine reasoning mind, and with de.
termination to develop his faculties
and equip himself for high position in
life He entered Bethel College, at
Mckenzie, paying his way by working
half the day in the Mckenzie Herald
printing Office. He graduated from
Bethel with high honors In 1897, was
valedictorian OF his class and won the
class medal for oratory He was
principal Of the Como public school
and taught one year In the Milan
school, reading law during his unoc
cupied time. ( In August, 1899, he was
admitted to the bar, and the follow
ing year formed partnership with
Capt. Charles M. Ewing, of Dresden
Capt Ewing died in March, 1900, and
Garrett continued to practice Law
alone, rapidly gaining paying patron
age and earning recognition as keer
Judge Of the law and an eminent nd
vocate. At this time he also made .
remarkable reputation, for one SC
young, in the lecture field One o
his lectures, "The South and Litera
ture," being a masterpiece Of pro
found thought, couched in classic Ian
guage, and showing an intimate
knowledge Of the subject. September
IA, 1900, Chancellor John s. Cooper
offered him the position of clerk ant
master ofthe Chancery Court of Weak
ley county without his being an appli
cant,
He accepted and still holds that 20
sition, practicing law in other courts
He has never made failure, his ever,
effort being rewarded with success H,
is deep thinker, tireless worke
and possesses great executive ability
a man OF spotless integrity, unassum
ing, reserved, intensely hometown,
and withal AS brave as those knight,
cavaliers who were his ancestors, HI
is a splendid type Of the South
matchless manhood.
November 27, 1901. no married MIS-
Elizabeth Harris Burns, daughter o
J. T. Burns, OF Mckenzie. They hav,
one child, Virginia, one, year old.
Mr.. Garrett, at the age of onl,
twenty.nine, in defeating an old an
experienced politician after daringl
original and brilliant campaign, ha
sesieved a success that promises
a wonderful future.
Ripley U. C. V. Reunion.
J.ho Cu4Lar1and Comn TT n "