Page:The Green Bag (1889–1914), Volume 04.pdf/454

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The Supreme Court of Arkansas. in 182 1. In 1823 he was elected to the legislature, and was made by that body prosecuting attorney of his district. He was a member of the constitutional con vention of 1836, and of the first State legis lature, by which he was elected to the supreme bench. He was a small, slender man, with dark gray eyes and auburn hair,- bright and shrewd, quick to com prehend a case, and a fluent speaker. His judicial opinions are

very creditable, — brief, clear, and pointed. Hewasaman of sound judgment and fair legal training, and had in him some thing of the spirit of the adventurer. After his term of office expired, he re turned to the practice at Batesville. Judge Byers of that place told an anecdotewhich illustrates the versatil ity of the man. Byers had sued a client of Dickinson's before a justice of the peace. After the jury was GEORGE C impanelled, Dickinson wanted to interpose a set-off. Byers read a decision of the Supreme Court saying that after the im panelling of the jury the defendant could not insist upon putting in a set-off. Dick inson seized upon the word " insist," and said : " Of course, your honor, we cannot insist upon filing the set-off. If we insisted, your honor would fine us for contempt of court. We only ask you to allow us to do it, and we leave the matter entirely to you." Of course the worthy Justice allowed it to be filed. About 1851 Dickinson wandered back

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to New York, but on account of private troubles left that State and went to Penn sylvania. After remaining there a short time, he removed to New Orleans, and from thence to Texas, where he met a tragic death. Travelling in a buggy, he came to a river, — the Brazos, I believe. It was very much swollen, and the ferryman re fused to set him over. Judge Dickinson persisted, and offered the man five dollars. Tempted by the un usual fare, the latter consented; and they started over, but were soon swept away by the current and were drowned. The most esteemed of the three was Lacy. He was born in Rock ingham County, North Carolina, and was a graduate of Chapel Hill College in that State. In 1832 he was appointed to a place on the Arkansas territorial court. He served with Dick inson in the consti tutional convention of 1836, and was WATKINS elected one of the first judges, He was a man of broad intellect and considerable learning. As a speaker he was fluent and eloquent, with an agreeable dic tion. In person he was tall, slender, with dark hair, complexion, and eyes. His opin ions are among the best to be found in our reports, — clear and comprehensive. His popularity was great, and he commanded the confidence of the bar, whom he attached to himself by his kind and pleasant man ners and by the purity of his character. On the expiration of his first official term he was re-elected without opposition, but in