Cumberland University - Phoenix Yearbook (Lebanon, TN)

Page 10 text:

JUDGE CARUTHERS ' HOME. — 4 —

Page 9 text:

THE LAW SCHOOL. 1847— J 897. ' TT ' HIS is the Semi-Centennial year of the Law School of the University. Fifty years ago it began its i work with only seven students present. At that time no provision had been made in the college build- ing for this class, and the school was for a time conducted in the law office of Judge Robert L. Caruthers, on West Main Street. The office was made of brick and stood near the street in the corner of the residence lot. It had two rooms, the front one being about sixteen feet square, and in this the recitations were con- ducted. The rear and much smaller room contained Judge Caruthers ' law library, desk, etc. The old office disappeared many years ago, but the grand old residence still remains to mark the birth place of the law school. Judge Abraham Caruthers, a younger brother of Judge Robeit L., was the first law professor, and he had charge of the first class of seven. He resigned from the bench as a circuit judge to accept the place. The idea of a law school at that date was a new one in this part of the country. It originated with Judge Robert L. Caruthers, and the credit of setting it on foot is due to him. His brother Abraham did not have the greatest faith in the success of the enterprise and hesitated to resign from the bench where he was receiving an annual salary of fourteen hundred dollars and take the chances of the new enterprise. But this obstacle was removed by Judge Robert L. undertaking to guarantee that the income from the law school should not be less than a judge ' s salary. No part oi the guaianty fund was ever called for, for the reason that the school at once proved a success. Before the first five months had ended the number of students greatly increased, and the income from the year ' s work largely exceeded the sum guaranteed. In the course of a few years the school increased to such proportions that it became necessary to elect an addi- tional professor, and accordingly Judge Nathan Green, the father of the present Chancellor, was chosen. He was at the time, and had been for man} ' years, on the Supreme Bench of the Statt, but he resigned the office to accept the professorship. These two great men continued in their several places until the close of their lives. Judge Abraham Caruthers died during the first months of the civil war, and Judge Green within a year after its close. The writer of this received his instruction in law from these two venerable fathers, and he has in his mind a vivid picture of the personnel oi each, and a distinct recollection of their several peculiarities in the class room. Judge Caruthers was small of stature, small boned and light weight. He usually dressed in black or dark colors, and though always genteely clad, it was evident that he gave but little attention to the cut, fit or style of his garments. In walking he stooped, with his eyes upon the ground, and moved noiselessly and quite slowly, thus presenting the picture of one in profound meditation ; and this was doubtless the habit of his mind. One could pass him again and again on the street without anything more than casual observation, unless he happened to look up and one caught the glance of his eyes, which were truly startling for their brilliancy. When animated in conversation or in — 3 —

Page 11 text:

the class room his face became almost radiant and remarkably handsome. He was somewhat of a discipli- narian in the cUss room, and kept the young men constantly under his eye. He adhered rigidly to the lesson assigned for the dav. examined the class thoroughly upon it, and if one came without having pre- pared it he was sure to wish he had done so before the recitation closed. He had the tobacco habit and both smoked and chewed- His smoking was all done at home and usually with a cob pipe and long stem. His voice was thin, though not effeminate. It arrested the attention at once, and impressed one as the voice of a man in authority and of positive views. He had an irascible temper, was easily ruffled, impatient under restraint, and fearless of opposition. He was a man of the highest intellectu- ality and profound knowledge of the law. Judge Green was the opposite of his associate in almost everything excepting the high qualities of intellectuality and legal lore, in which particulars he was the equal of any man who ever lived in the State, a fact too well known to need any further remarks here. In stature he stood six feet five in his stockings, was raw baned, loose jointed and ungainly. This is said with the profoundest respect and reverence for his memory. Such physical characteristics did not prevent him from being one of the greatest and noblest men of his age. He was not so good looking as is his honored son, the Chancellor of the University, but even that in no way embarrassed him. His appearance was most venerable, his hair, usually worn long, was white as wool, a massive pair of gold rimmed spectacles always rested on his nose, his stride was immense, his step lumbering, and his voice the roar of a lion; impetuous, compassionate and full of charity, he loved everything from the humblest flower in his garden up to his brother man. The writer has often likened him to the Apostle Peter, that is to the picture which the writer has formed in his own mind of that bold and impetuous follower of Christ. He thundered in the class room, did not adhere so closely as Judge Caruthers to the lesson in hand, but grew often on the vast store of learning that crowded his brain, and from this deep well the students delighted to drink. God bless the memory of these two honored and revered fathers, to the old boys who were so fortunate as to have received instruction from them. They set the Law School upon the enduring foundation, as its continued prosperity attests, and it can now be truthfully said no other school of this country within the first half century of its existence has fur- nished the profession a more honorable and worthy body of graduates than has this one. All horor to the memory of Caruthers and Green.