Untitled - the Digital Library of Georgia

512 GEORGIA AND GEORGIANS
"Tait," resumed the general, after a moment's pause, "under the
cloak of judicial authority, you have sought to destroy my reputation,
and for your infamous attempt to do so I shall give you the lash.''
Thereupon, before any reply could be made, General Clark came
down with his riding whip upon the shoulders of the jurist, inflicting
severe blows upon him with the aid of powerful muscles. On account of
. his wooden leg, Judge Tait was no match for his irate antagonist. While
the interview was in progress, Tart's horse took fright, but Clark kept
along side of him until his wrath was appeased.
For this attack upon a judge of the Superior Court, General Clark
was duly prosecuted and, on conviction, was sentenced by Judge Early
to pay a fine of $2,000 and to give security for his good behavior for a
period of five years. However, this sentence was never put into effect.
Governor Jared Irwin, an old comrade-in-arms, feeling that General
Clark was an injured man, afterwards issued an executive order remit
ting the fine imposed upon him by Judge Early and furthermore releas
ing the old soldier from any and all other legal consequences attached
to his rash conduct. As for Judge Tait, he afterwards became a United
States senator, but eventually removed to Alabama where he spent his
last days.
"When Peter Van Alien fell at Fort Charlotte, before Mr. Crawford 's
fire, the solicitorship of the "Western Circuit, made vacant by his death,
was conferred by appointment upon a gentleman noted in the annals of
Georgia for his Attic salt: Hon. John M. Dooly. Judge Dooly was after
wards elevated to the bench, from which circumstance arose the title by
which he was universally known. He was easily the greatest wit of
Ms day in Georgia, a master of satire and as quick at repartee as chained
lightning. Public speakers seldom, if ever, engaged with him in joint
debate, for prudential reasons. Crowds thronged his courtroom when
ever he appeared on the circuit; and if Charles Dickens could only have
met this unique character, he might have improved upon the drolleries
of Pickwick.
On a certain occasion, when this same feud between Clark and Craw-
ford was still alive, Judge Dooly became involved in a controversy with
his predecessor upon the bench, Judge Charles Tait. As a result
Judge Tait challenged him to mortal combat. There are several versions
to this story, but, according to one of them, Judge Dooly accepted the
challenge and actually appeared upon the scene of encounter, though
he was notoriously opposed to shedding blood, especially from his own
veins.
General Clark was Judge Dooly's second, while Mr. Crawford, in a
like capacity, served Judge Tait; and the affair was probably planned
with the utmost seriousness by the friends of both parties. Now, it hap
pened that one of Judge Tait's bodily infirmities was a wooden leg,
and it was a knowledge of this fact which inspired Judge Dooly's singu
lar feat of valor. At the appointed time, Judge Tait, with his second,
Mr. Crawford, appeared upon the scene of action, where he discovered
Judge Dooly sitting patiently alone upon a stump. In reply to an
inquiry from Mr. Crawford, concerning the whereabouts of General
Clark, with whom he wished to confer in advance of the duel, Judge
Dooly replied: