The Tupelo journal. (Tupelo, Miss.) 1876-1924, 1905-02-24

SYKES nau delivered MS charge to
the grand jury tho impressive and
interesting ceremonies of dedica.
ting the new Court house were
observed. There was = much larger
audience than had been expected
a. the weather was 10 inclemept
that masy were prevented from
attending. Capt. Jan. Klncannon
was Master of Ceremonies and
when he had called the audience
to order, on HE motion Judge
Sykes was asked to preside and
Guy Aichell was rsque"tsd to act
as secretary. When, tho meeting
had bssn organized Col. W. L.
Clayton was introduced and pro-
cesded to speak. Col. Clayton is
tho senior member Of the bar Of
this city, his practice dating
back to 1859, which was before the
formation OF L.e county. 10 that
year he and Gen. }. l.. Finley
were admitted to the bar at FaIton,
then as now, the capital OF the
free state of It.wamba, from
which county and Pontosoc, Lee
county was carved in order that
the fiuest county in the stlts
might 80 named after the immortal
leader of the Confederate hosts.
The venerable gentleman delivered
a beautiful speech which was re-
plcts with pathetic "reminiscences
Of tue long ago and into which be
put his whole soul aud completely
warmed up his auditors. He refer
red in tonching terms to all his
olden confreres at The bar and
paid high tributes to their legal
aud personal characters. His eulo-
gums upon the lives and charac.
ters of Gen. Finley, Col. John A.
BLAIR, and Col. Jeptha Robins, were
full Of pathos and deeply touched
the hearts Of all who listened to
him. These Noble men we're we'll
known throughout the county and
left behind them many remind
ers of their great labors in behalf Of
the county. Their posterity which
is numerous, still dwells III our
midst and all Of them are ernulat.
ing the lofty examples of their
veneratsd sires
Col. Clayton's reference to the
position which he now bears to the
bar of Tupelo was exceedingly
simple and beautiful. He is the
only remaining link that binds the
early days Of the Tupelo bar to its
predecessor the Fulton bar May
he llnger many days to enjoy the
respect and veneration of the pso.
pie of Lee and Itawamba which he
now so fully holds.
+ When Col. Clayton had conclud-
ed his speech, Hon John NJ.
Allen, was introduced and opened
his speech with a short reference
to his early life. He was the first
representative elected to the legis-
laturs from Lse county and was
under age when this was done.
The Internal carpet bag regime
was on us then and John was not
permitted to take his seat. What
he aud his friends lost by this can
never be known as it denied to him
the opportunity to begin his career
when he was just budding into
manhood and set him back sew
eral years. With the fire of youth
burning within and thu provpea-
tions that were given by the or ew
of thugs aud thieves that composed
the legislature OF 1868 its records
were robbed of some warm effu-
sions that would certainly have
adorned its blackened pages. Mr..
Aliens speech was g Q n u II | y
characteristic of him. 1t was inter-
spersed with staid and sober pas.
sages Which were followed by
amusing recitals Of early expert.
ences. His story of his encounter
with Russ Bean, at Center Star
when the two aud Judge Cayce
wore candidates for District At
torney brought down the house.
John and the Judge we're then
young men, while Col. Bean was