threw all their energies into the cause of the people. The position of both gentlemen, and their unquestionable allegiance to the Repub lican party, gave to their testimony against the carpet-bag iniquities a great weight; and the value of their services to the State at that critical time cannot be overestimated. In gratitude for his efforts, the Democrats in dorsed Judge Wilshire for Congress in 1876, and he was elected without substantial op position. After the expiration of his official term he entered upon the practice of his profession at Washington City, where he died a few years ago. Judge Wilshire was not a great lawyer, but he was a man of sterling honesty, and he sat upon the bench at a time when that quality was not a superfluity. In person he was rather tall, with blond hair and beard, of agreeable manners and kindly disposition. Judge Gregg was born near Decatur, in Lawrence County, Alabama, on the 6th day of February, 1825, and moved in 1835 with his father to Washington County, Arkansas, where he grew up on a farm near Fayetteville. He was educated by home study and in the schools of the country, completing his course at the Ozark Institute, then a popular high-school located three miles from where the State University now stands. In 1852 he was admitted to the bar. In 1854 he was elected to the State legislature. He was elected to the office of prosecuting attorney in 1856, and was re-elected in 1858 and in 1860. Being in feeble health from protracted dyspepsia, he did not enter the army at the breaking out of the war, but later joined the Union service, and was made Colonel of the Fourth Regiment of Arkansas Federal Cavalry, which he commanded until the restoration of peace. Immediately upon the surrender of the Confederate forces, he applied to have his regiment mustered out. Iu July, 1865, he opened his law office in a cabin which he placed on the lot where his former office had been burned. In 1867 he was appointed State Chancellor, and held
that court at the capital for about one year, when he was elected a judge of the Supreme Court, and occupied that bench until 1874. He then declined to accept another term, though strongly solicited by attorneys with out regard to politics. He returned to his former home and resumed the practice of law, which he kept up with success until his death on Nov. 1, 1891. In person he was rather small and slender, with light hair and mustache. He was of a very kindly and sociable disposition, which was reflected in his manners; and at a time when party feeling was intensely bitter, he preserved the respect and confidence of all by the rectitude of his course. As a judge he was careful and accurate, and did a dis proportionate part of the work that was done during his official term. After the overthrow of the carpet-baggers, the Constitution of 1874 was adopted, and Judge English, Judge Walker, and William M. Harrison were elected judges. Of the first two we have already spoken; the last is still living. On May 19, 1878, Judge Walker resigned, and Judge Jesse Turner was appointed in his stead. As he too is alive, we refrain from speaking of him. In September, 1878, John R. Eakin was elected to succeed Judge Turner. He was born at Shelbyville, Tenn., on Feb. 14, 1822. He graduated at the Nashville University in 1840; and after studying law for three years, one of which was spent at Yale, he was ad mitted to the bar. In 1849 his father died, leaving him a large estate. Handsome in person, agreeable in manners, fond of soci ety and qualified to shine in it, he enjoyed life to its utmost, careless of the diminution of his patrimony. In 1857 he removed to Washington, Ark., bringing with him a for tune considerably impaired. Washington, though a small place, was in those days one of great gayety and of no little brilliancy, where the rich planters of the Red River bottoms gathered with their families for business and pleasure; and soon Eakin was one of the most popular in its circle.
