THE FIGHTING FELLOWS OF FLAT ROCK - In the 1890s, Justice of the Peace Court was held at the militia courthouse at Flat Rock, a couple of miles south of present day Minter in Laurens County. On every 4th Saturday, complainants and criminals were brought before the local Justice of the Peace, whose courtroom consisted of a wooden desk and bench positioned under an umbrageous pine tree. In one of the first cases on the docket, John Hester, possibly our determined suitor, and Louis Pope presented their case before the court.
Hester accused Pope of doing wrong. Pope took offense and a tempestuous tussle ensued. All of a sudden the fight moved to the bench scattering the judge and a stack of Georgia code books onto the sandy, pine needle laden soil Justice Thigpen implored the combatants to bring order in the court. Intent on mauling each other, the men continued their fray. Bailiffs and law abiding citizens stood by and enjoyed the fracas until enough was enough and the matter was settled out of court.
Messers Barfield and Horton were next on the docket. The two long time feuders realized the finality of settling their differences out of court, commenced to fight it out. Barfield pulled out his knife and charged his antagonist after Horton cursed at him. Only the intervention of bystanders kept the men from killing or severely wounding each other.
Horton, still on an adrenaline high, began a quarrel with old man Beatty. This time the bailiffs pulled out their bud nippers and ended the foolishness on the spot. Amazingly, Justice Thigpen imposed no fines for contempt of court. Atlanta Constitution, March 5, 1895.
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