Note: The following is one of a series of articles looking at events in the history of Bulloch County.

Part II

Once "Bulloch was transferred to the Middle Circuit, Judge R.W. Carswell was presiding. Later he was succeeded by Judge J.K. Hines, (and then) Roger Gamble, (who was) succeeded by Hines as Judge."

In time, "B.D. Evans (became) judge, (and then) B.T. Rawlins became judge, (who was succeeded in turn) by the present (Judge), R.N. Hardeman. (He, then, was then succeeded by) R. Lee Moore."

Moore then shared that "In 1894, the County Court of Bulloch County was established, and John F.B. Brannen was appointed judge. This court was changed to the City Court of Statesboro about 1903."

He explained that "its jurisdiction (was) then enlarged. In 1910, Judge Brannen was succeeded by H.B. Strange as Judge, and in 1914, Judge Strange was succeeded by Remer Proctor, our present judge."

Moore mused "reflecting on the great changes and improvements that have transpired, (a) true history of Statesboro and Bulloch County would (show) a social (and) commercial revolution."

And, he declared, it was "Wrought by peaceful methods before our very eyes, so quietly and so steadily, as to pass almost unobserved until a realization of the vast present is forced upon us."

"In 1889, the first railroad, the Dover & Statesboro, was built into the county, and the Judge and Solicitor coming here to hold court, for the first time in history, (came) in on the train."

The very earliest mentions of members of the bar, practicing in Bulloch County, are listed by the newspapers in which their ads were listed. There were not very many working in Statesboro before 1900.

The first known listing was in the Bulloch County Banner issue for March 2, 1893, which listed a single person practicing in Statesboro as an attorney, Robert Lee Moore, admitted to the Georgia Bar Association in 1890.

This was followed by the Bulloch Times issue for Feb. 9, 1893, which listed attorneys-at-law, including Greene Sharpe Johnson, who graduated from the University of Georgia in 1887.

Another lawyer was James Alonzo Brannen, who graduated from Mercer's Law Department in 1878, and was admitted to the Georgia Bar Association in 1891.

Then, according to the Feb. 22, 1893 issue of the Bulloch Times, Statesboro lawyers included John Franklin Brannen, who was admitted to the Georgia Bar Association in 1890.

This information was followed by a story in the April 6, 1893 Bulloch Times, which identified Hugh Bascom Strange as having been admitted to the Georgia Bar Association in 1888.

The Bulloch Times issue of Feb. 1, 1894 contained an article entitled "Changes in the Bar." The article revealed that "since the beginning of the year, the members of the Statesboro have suddenly become possessed."

They decided to begin to "consolidate their growing practice, and already three law firms have been established: first, that of Brannen and Moore, who worked together all last year advantageously to both."

It added, "Col. Brannen is one of the old members of the bar, and has a firm hold upon the confidence of the people as a man of ability, while Col. Moore is one of the young members."

The article declared Moore "has rapidly gained a footing, and has bright prospects for the future." The next set of men to consolidate their practices was "that of Groover and Johnston."

Of these two, the article announced "both are about equally well-established, and each having a paying practice. They are two of the pioneers of the Statesboro bar."

Continuing its train of thought, the newspaper announced "Today, a partnership between Messrs. Strange and Williams goes into effect. These are two of the youngest members of the bar."

As such, "Colonel Strange has been practicing here about eighteen months, and Colonel Williams has since last October. By paying strict attention to business, they are enjoying good practices."

The article ended with "The "boys of our bar are a fine set, and the Times wishes good luck to the last one of them. They appreciate a good thing when they see it."

The second known copy of the early newspaper, the Statesboro Star of December 13, 1899 contained advertisements for the following attorneys: A.F. Lee, of Statesboro, and J.M. Murphy of Statesboro.

Roger Allen is a local lover of history who provides a brief look each week at the area's past. Email him at rwasr1953@gmail.com.