Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1905-04-19
Octogeuarian Writes of Courts
and Lawyers

anu Law fSE6
EDIToR GAZETTE According to
q promise made when my two pre-
vious papers on "Reminiscences
of an Octogenarian" were written,
it is now my purpose to take up
the courts and lawyers of my early
days. Later l may give you an
article on the merchants and bust
ness men Of early days.
The resident lawyers Of that
day, as my memory recalls them,
were: s. S. Baxter, George Bax-
ter, Charles P. Dorman, James D.
Davidson, David E. Moore. Samuel
Med. Moore, John w. Broken
brongh, F. T. Anderson, Emmett
Manson, John Lctcher, William
Taylor, and later John Randolph
Tucker, John Echols, James B.
Dorman,' D. P. Curry, William
Mclaughlin, John D. Sterrett, 4.
J. H. McCampbell. John Doyle and
Edmund Pendleton.
The lawye.s from Staunton who
regularly attended the courts OF
Rockbridge were: Briscoe Bald
win, Howe Peyton, Thomas j.
Mickie, John B. Baldwin. A. H.
H. Stuart, David Fultz and Hugh
Shelley. Lawyers from other
counties-Botetourt, Bath and
Amherst-frequently attended ouI
courts, but they were not regular
practitioners, as were those from
Staurton.
Some Of the pei sons here men
toned became in after life dis
tinguished In the halls Of Congress,
on the judicial bench and in tne
armien Of the Confederacy. One
became Governor of Virginia, an.
other a member of a Presidents
cabinet.
Many hard fight have wit
messed at the bar between the
above named parties, notably Ia
the murder cases Of Pitman killed
by Gwatkins; Moore, BY VIM
Luccas, by Ellis; Blackburn, BY
Christian; and many other Grim
inal cases which / do not now re-
call.
Imay say that although all OF
these cases were ably prosecuted
yet after more than ons trial they
were all finely acquitted. The
first case was removed to the coun'
ty of Bedford where he was tried
aud acquitted after conviction in
our court.
Judge S. P. Thompson was the
able and learned judge who pre-
sided for many years over our
Circuit Court. His circuit cover
ed some six or more counties OF
the State. / have the impression
that his decisions were seldom
reversed.
Our County Courts were com
posed of magistrates who at
my earliest recollect on served
without pay, their only remunera,
tion being the sense Of duty well
done, and the preservation Of the
peace and good order of society.
At that day the magistrates were
elected by the County Courts, who
selected the best men in the var
ious sections OF the county fol
the office. 1t was considered an
honor to be a justice Of the peace
at that day-one which no good
citizen ever declined.
Afterwards the old system was
changed and q presiding justice
for the county was elected to serve
on every County Court. TIE
court was then composed Of such
justices as were selected to serve
for the current term of the court
and they received per diem fol-
their services.
The next change in the system
was the appointment Of a county
Judge who took the place of the
bench Of magistrates, with all the
powers and duties of the Circuit
Court. This change took away
all the functions Of magistrates ii
court, so that their occupation wal
gone.
In old times County Court day
was great day in the county
and everybody went to court
Since our wise men have taken TIT
matter in hand they seem deternin
ed to obliterate every Vestage o
antiquity from our Judicial system
Whether they have improved it is
question 1 leave for others to an
swer.
1t will be observed that tn
names of living men have beef
purposely omitted. My object j
to preserve from oblivion til
names of men who were a tower o
strength in their day. ..aos
:.( OcroGENERIAN.