Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1914-02-20
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1914.
THE LATE JUDGE SMITH
Former York Lawyer Finds Traces OF
Him in Louisiana.

Former York Lawyer Finds Traces OF
Him in Louisiana.
Editor Yorkville Enquirer:
I have had the pleasure of reading
The Enquirer now for some time
through copies sent me by relatives,
and having become interested in num-
Der Of subjects discussed in its col
umns have felt like giving expression
to some memories and views therein,
with your kind permission.
The Footsteps of the Fathers" has
been particularly interesting, and
was agreeably surprised at the pubh-
cation of "reminiscences Of Judge VIM.
Smith in the issue Of the Sd inst. On
reading two decisions Of the supreme
court of this state relating to titles of
real estate in dispute between the heirs
of Judge Smith and others who claim
ed to be purchasers, / learned that
Judge Smith died in the year 1910, and
his granddaughter, Bessie Taylor CAL
houn died in 1880; that Judge Smith
owned lands on both sides of Red riv-
er, extending with the river ten miles
lying about ColfaX, Grant parish.
Judge Smith did not remove his resi-
dence to Louisiana; but to Hunters
vile, Ala, where he built handsome
residence which was torn down about
three years ago, so have been inform
ed by a lawyer of that city. The judge
was so bitter in his prejudices against
the name of Calhoun that he was
strenuous in his opposition to the mar
riage of his granddaughter to man
of that name; but after their marriage
notwithstanding. he became reconciled
and donated the vast tract or Iano
above mentioned. 1t is said that whlle
a member OF the Alabama legislature
he opposed bill to appropriate money
to build a penitentiary in the capitaI
city. and in an ebulition of wrath, he
said: Gentlemen. build wall around
the city of Montgomery, and you'll
have not only a penitentiary, but one
with the criminals within 1t. AFTER
that he was forced to leave the city In
haste.
Reading the Life of Thomas Jeffer-
son, by Dr. Harris. in footnote was
struck with the language Of JEFFERSON
to the effect that there was a coterie at
the seat of government, headed by Al
eXander Hamilton that secretly schem-
ed to pass a law to refund soldiers
script at so cents on the dollar. AT the
same time, members Of the clique were
through agents. buying up the script at
25 cents on the dollar. Among the
chief of these conspirators was one
Smith, of South Carolina. At one time
had thought this had reference tol
Judge Smith, who became very
wealthy; but it appears from your
"reminiscences that the date Of his con-
gressional life was subsequent toI
Hamilton's death.
/ was also interested in your advo-
cacy of election of judges by the peo-
pie. We have just held a second prl-
mary election for judge Of this district
which resulted in the nomination OF
one of the candidates over the other by
one vote Needless to say contest
suit has been filed on the ground that
Socialists and non-registered persons
were allowed to vote at several pre-
cincts. l prefer the South Carolina
plan of electing judges and their
travelling the circuit of the state, above
any system l know Of.
Our parish, like your county, is en-
gagged in model road building. The po-
lice Jury County commissioners), have
decided it is best to have the work
done by it's own employees, and 1t is
now building two roads by that meth
cd.
The account by R. ]. Herndon Of the
battle of Little Big Horn was very in
teresting. I was classmate at Lang
ham Academy Of George Wallace, who
was lieutenant under Reno there. He
survived to be killed by an Indian
squaw at the battle Of Wounded Knee
in 1890.
Chief Gall l had the good fortune to
see in 1885 while on visit to the eX-
position in New Orleans. He was the
finest specimen of manliness / have
ever seen. There was look Of supreme
self confidence and dominancy and
composure about him that could not
fail to command respect.
W. P. Good.
MANY. La, February Is, 1914.