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Lawyer of Louisville Mr. Talbot was also distinguished
lawyer of Frankfort & afterwards a Senator
in Congress. Mr. Montgomery was also a lawyer
& Clerk of Lincoln County. Afterwards a member
of Congress & Circuit Judge.

I omitted to mention at the proper date, that
in 1904 or 5, the Judicial System was changed
in Kentucky. The District & Quarter session
courts were abolished & Circuit Courts: to be composed
of a Circuit Judge & two assistants in each
county were established. I was appointed Clerk
of the Circuit Court of Wayne County without opposition.
Allen M. Wakefield was the Circuit
Judge & Samuel Newelle & Isaac Chrisman
assistant Judges. Judge W. was one of the best men I ever knew.
My daugher Louisiana, was born on the day of
March 1808. I was then in the practice of the law
& had been for two or three years. attending regularly
the Circuit Courts of Cumberland, Adair & Pulaski.
Being entirely independent, having a farm & two Clerkships,
I was very indifferent about getting business
altho' I succeeded very well & made money at
the bar and spent it, or rather I will record
what is strictly true - lost it at the card table.
It was then fashionable, amongst the profession
to play cards - for money. The card table was
set out every night, & some times every day. There
were Gentlemen attending the Courts, who studied
Hoyle, more than they did Blackstone, & generally
won all the money made by others. I was too
fond of play - not that I wanted to win, but
it was an excitement that was pleasant to me
but I paid for it, dearly. I seldom sat down to a
card table, without losing, sometimes a great
deal. If I had never played cards, I might have
been a wealthy man, long, long ago. It is a
ruinous vice. Others are sure to follow on its
train - and I solemnly warn my sons and
grand sons against it. Thank God, it has become
unfashionable. I have not played for