"Colonel Carroll's appointment of me to the County Court and my meeting so many folk through my work at the shop made my election as County Register possible." He paused and gave a Cheshire smile then said, "I suppose my chafe with Colonel Yell helped. It was spoken of hither and yon. It quickly became distorted tattle."
Evidently needing to explain his motives for entering politics, he continued, "I deeply appreciated the esteem my patrons or constituents showed for me when I did a task, provided a service: be it a good, well-made saddle or a proper legal entry into the records of the county. I recognized early, sir that I needed to participate in those things that evoked those feelings from others and me. I saw the way things were-the struggle between the privileged and everyone else. As warm as a patriot, I supposed that I could speak for working folk, as I most certainly was one. It is called 'popular' government, sir, because all classes need take part. The big bugs require a diligence by the common people. To be of purpose, of service, sir, that is a noble life's summons. To serve others and have their respect and esteem is a true blessing."
"So you worked in the 1811 courthouse, right?" I asked. His talk about the motives that informed his public life seemed suitable for the stump when running for office, but a thin soup as related to candor. As with the issue of slavery and the matter of Miss Patc, I could push him later on the egoism needed to seek and to serve in elective office.
"Yes, sir, I most certainly did."
"I've read about it and searched for a picture but haven't been able to locate an image," I admitted. A simple rented log building served for two years as the county court house, 1809-1811.
"Oh, there are some around, a tad more resourcefulness might be called for," was his impatient response to my quandary.
"I've read a description," I began in defense of my incomplete research. "It was a two-story brick building, 40 feet square, with a stone foundation. There were fireplaces located on two corners of the second floor, which you reached by stairs in the northwest corner."
"Very good. Yes, that is a fair and correct description. It had a steeped slate roof like the courthouse of 1874. My office was on the first floor, as was the Trustee and County Court Clerk's. The Courtrooms and the Chancery Clerk and Master office were upstairs. The Sheriff's office and jail was off the square towards the river. The jail was a two-story brick building, lined with logs and the logs were protected by sheet iron." Satisfied that he had given me something of a sense of the buildings he paused and asked, "You have a need to know the appearance of things?"