Written by Green Beauchamp, (undated, but about 1874), and published in The Eufaula Times newspaper. ============================================ The first circuit court for Barbour County, was held at Louisville and convened on the 4th Monday (25th) in March 1833, Hon. Anderson Crenshaw, judge of the sixth judicial circuit, presiding. Harrell Hobdy was sheriff, and most probably Thomas Pugh clerk. The grand jury was composed of Henry Faulk Jr., foreman; Noah Tyson, William Bennett, Richard Head Jr., Zackariah Buch, William McRae, James Faulk, Henry Faulk Sr., William Head, Thomas Cavanaugh, John F. David, Starling Johnson, Miles McInnis, Daniel M. Dansby, Duncan McRae, and Stephen Lee. Robert Teal was the constable sworn to attend them. These have all passed away except William McRae and Miles McInnis. There were but three bills found - one for malicious mischief and two for assault and battery. Most of the minute entries are in the unmistakable hand writing of Senator George Goldthwaite. The first circuit court ever held at Clayton commenced on the 4th Monday in March 1834, Hon. Anderson Crenshaw presiding, Harrell Hobdy sheriff, and probably Thomas Pugh clerk. The following was the first grand jury: William Beauchamp, foreman; Aerial Jones, John McInnis, Henry Bizzell, Joel Winslett, Daniel McLane, Benjamin D. Sellers, Thomas Warren, Hope H. Williams, Seaborn Jones, Ezekiel Wise, Ivy Cadenhead and Aaron Burlison. Cary Motes was the bailiff. All these, including the judge, are dead and gone, except Ezekiel Wise, a highly respected citizen, who still survives. The judgment entries on the minutes are almost all in the hand writing either of George Goldthwaite or Jefferson Buford. The first civil case that ever went on the docket marked No. 1 was that of Duncan McRae vs John McInnis, an appeal. It was continued from term to term and not decided till 28th September 1835. In this first court held at Clayton ninety-five judgments were taken on Monday the first day. The court adjourned on Thursday. The "suitable house," mentioned in the order at Louisville was about twenty feet square made of round pine logs unharmed by any broad axe. There was one small opening for a window, and one door in the southeast end. This primeval temple of justice sat corner wise to those lines on which such important edifices are commonly erected, being neither north, south, east or west. It was located about where the rear of Mr. C.C. Green's store is now. Thomas Warren, in the summer of 1833, superintended the building, and Ryan Bennett helped get the four oak boards that covered it, out of a tree near the little branch that runs through the fair grounds. It was not quite equal to our present court house, yet it was "suitable" to those simple times in our country now forty years ago, and the pleadings which were read in that humble house at Clayton were made by men whose talents and character have adorned our history; and tribunal of justice there was presided over by a judge whose learning and integrity cause his name and memory to be revered by every Alabamian who appreciates the value of such attributes in judicial character. ============================================= Richard Price SOS 6-3