| Transcribed by Norma Knotts Shaffer from microfilm
of the Calhoun Chronicle dated 9/5/1899.
Didn't Look Like It
On the first day of Circuit court an amusing incident occurred - it
was too good to keep.
Attorney George Griffin, of Beech, Calhoun county, came to court in
rustic garb of antique style; he wore cow hide shoes, a gingham shirt of
home make and no particular brand of laundry; the barber had evidently
not been interviewed relative to his coming - he didn't look the dandy
by a whole lot, and evidently didn't care a "red."
He quietly took his seat at the bar. He began vigorously, viciously,
and perhaps with malice aforethought, to masticate a rousing quid of Stinson's
long green. He cogitated, he ruminated, he masticated - and he exporated.
About the time he was becoming settled and fixed and was catching on to
the run of things, the large crowd of spectators, eager witnesses for the
grand jury room, litigants, lawyers, clients and meeting old friends, caused
a crowding and restless swaying and maneuvering that was annoying to the
court. His honor ordered the bailiff to see that all were properly
seated and kept reasonably quiet. Jailor McWilliams walked up to
Mr. Griffin and the following colloquy ensued:
"Mr., please take a seat back yonder, and don't crowd the members of
the bar."
To which Griffin replied, "I'm not going, I have business here and I'm
going to stay."
"Are you a witness?" querried, Uncle Mack.
"No sir, I am an Attorney at law."
"The h--l you say! Show your authority," exclaimed uncle Mack,
incredulously.
Mack was seen shortly afterwards inquiring after this rustic appearing
attorney at law and so lick a tor in chancery.
After court adjourned Griffin went to the clerk's office and said that
it was a shame the way he was snubbed in this one hoss town. "Why,"
said he, "I'm Squire George Griffin, of Washington district, Calhoun county.
I'm a Notary Public, President of the Board of Education and an Attorney
at Law, and yet I'm small potatoes over here. Say do you want me
to run for Governor so I'll be known? You bet Washington district,
Calhoun county, will vote for me - twice at once and double if necessary.
Say, you ought to see me run in Calhoun."
The last seen of Mr. Griffin was early Saturday morning; he went out
of town declaring that he'd be darned if he didn't intend to be judge yet
or bust, just to show jailors that George Griffin, Esquire, is not a ramp
eater. - Spencer Bulletin.
It is true that Griffin does run well for office in Washington district,
where the internal and not the external qualifications of a man are regarded.
Mr. Griffin may not part his hair in the middle or dress after the manner
of the average Spencer dude, but he has a good true heart in him, and that
counts for a great deal. | 
