Justice Tempered? Chapter Two

Chapter Two

　

Ernest Adcock Crockett was born September 15, 1925, the first child of Douglas and Edith Crockett. Doug Crockett, raised in Clarksdale had taken a job in Campo upon graduating from high school in 1918. Though Doug's family was of modest means, there was no money for college, so he had moved into the Astor Brick boarding house and started to work loading bricks onto trucks.

Doug had hoped to save his money for college, but in the summer of 1919 he met Edith Adcock at the church social and fell immediately in love. Suddenly saving money for college dropped on Doug's list of priorities. Now he put his efforts into getting a better job at Astor Brick. In 1923, when the new kilns had been fired, Doug was promoted to foreman of a loading crew.

With the raise that went along with the promotion, Doug knew he could afford to build a house on the lot he had bought two years earlier. Doug had postponed asking Edith to marry him because he refused to have any member of his family living in company housing. As soon as construction began, Doug purposed to Edith. When he popped the question he was surprised by her answer: "Finally, I have waited for you to ask me that for two years. Of course I will." The two got married just after their house was finished and Ernest was born fifteen months later.

Ernest grew up in the southwest part of town away from the company houses of the north. Though he had gone to school with the other children of Campo, after all there was only one school, he had developed a different interest early. While the other children would remain around the school yard, playing games after school, Ernest enjoyed the solitude of a good book. It seemed he always had a book in front of his face. For this reason he developed a reputation early of being a bookworm.

The Crocketts lived next door to Judge Milford G. Baxter. Judge Baxter and his wife, Betty, had no children, and as a result soon adopted Ernest and his sister Gale as grandchildren. Ernest found this to be very much to his liking. It wasn’t long before he began to earn a little pocket money by doing chores for the Judge and his wife.

It wasn’t just the fact Ernest enjoyed the grand-fatherly way the Judge treated him, there were many books, and the Judge enjoyed sharing the knowledge these books contained. Naturally there were a lot of law books. At age nine Ernest began to inquire what was contained in these law books. The Judge began sitting down and explaining the terminology which was just what the Judge had wanted. As a result Ernest became intrigued with the law at an early age.

This development delighted both of Ernest’s parents. Doug had chosen, voluntarily to forgo a college education and get married, he was determined his children would attend college immediately upon graduation from high school.

This did work out as Doug had dreamed. When Ernest graduated in1942 he had to make a choice: go to college and hope for a deferment or join the Army now. Ernest announced that December 7, 1941 had changed his future plans. Though he had been accepted at Western Carolina College in Cullowhee, North Carolina, the Judge's alma mater, he would be joining the Army

Ernest had reasoned that he could quite possibly be drafted. Edith had hoped he could escape being drafted since he would not be eighteen until after beginning college. However, Ernest knew that drafted or not, he would not be able to sit at home when he felt so strong that his country needed him. Eventually Edith did relent and agreed with Doug to sign Ernest's enlistment papers. Ernest departed Campo along with two others boys, Buford Bucnagel and Harvey Thornton, on Monday, May 29, for Atlanta and the Army.

After the war, Ernest was delighted to learn that his acceptance at Western Carolina was still valid. Judge Baxter, being a alumnus, had intervened on his behalf and the college had allowed Ernest to began classes in the fall of 1945, even though he was about two weeks behind. Ernest threw himself into his freshman year hoping to banish his war experiences.

However, that first year proved extremely difficult for Ernest. The town of Cullowhee offered little entertainment. Ernest soon realized his assumption that the peaceful atmosphere of a small town would be just the thing he need after three year of fighting a war. At the end of his second semester he felt much the same a he had that day in Europe they were told the war was over.

Back in Campo, over his mother’s objects, Ernest elected to spend the summer in Clarksdale. What he needed now was some Ernest time, time to reflect on the three years the war had taken from him. Time to determine if he wanted to try and recapture those years. He knew he had to spend time with his family, the war had stolen from them also. But to stay in Campo he knew he would feel smothered by them

Promising his mother he would attend church with them every Sunday, Ernest purchased a car and departed for Clarksdale. There was no need to seek employment since he had the majority of his Army pay, plus he mustering out pay. While he did have a room in Clarksdale, most of Ernest’s time was spent in Atlanta. There was a buzz to Atlanta, a constant motion that occupied his mind. There were fewer times when his mind reverted back to what he had been doing from 1942 to 1945.

Four weeks later, while having lunch on an outside terrace of a restaurant, Ernest realized he had exercised his demons. He knew he would be going back to school in the fall, the only problem was, he knew it would not be Western Carolina. He, also, knew he would have to face his adopted grandfather and tell him of his decision. The coming weekend there was to be a celebration of his parents wedding anniversary, Doug and Edith were going to renew their vows and he had promised to spend the whole weekend in Campo.

Arriving the Friday before the party, Ernest stopped by the Judges and ask for some time together with him. The Judge said that he was completely free after the party the next day.

When he and the Judge had settled into the leather chair of the Judge’s study, Ernest got right to the point. "Judge, it seems that the adrenaline that is necessary for war, takes a long while to calm down. To be absolutely honest mine is just now beginning to subside. While I did well with my studies this past year, I was miserable. I just can’t bring myself to return to Western Carolina this fall." It was out and Ernest felt as though a heavy load had been lifted from his shoulders.

The look on the Judge’s face showed, without doubt, some disappointment. He, however, assured Ernest that though he had never experienced war, he could sympathize with him. Then he wanted to know what conclusion Ernest had come to concerning his future.

"I’ve developed a strong liking for Atlanta. I’m going to apply to some of the schools in that area, even if I have to wait until the spring semester to began classes."

The Judge’s face lit up and he told Ernest to come to his chamber at eleven o’clock Monday morning.

When Ernest entered the Judge’s chamber on Monday, he could see how delighted the Judge was. "I have some great news. An old colleague of mine, Simon Thurgood - we went to different schools together as kids - is now a judge on the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta. Talked to him this morning and he says he could use a gofer this summer, if that gofer is willing to take little pay and began Wednesday morning. How about it?"

Ernest was delighted, this was right down his alley. Of course he would be able to be there on Wednesday morning. This would give him a day to find a room in Atlanta and buy a new suit.

The Judge had one last piece of advise before Ernest left: "Simon is a brilliant man. Seek his counsel and follow any advise he may give to the best of your ability."

Wednesday morning when Ernest walked into Judge Thurgood’s office it was as though another load had been lifted from his shoulders. When he introduced himself, the secretary said the judge wanted to see him immediately. Judge Thurgood was a big man, the type of man one would think twice before crossing. Yet, he was soft spoken when he as Ernest to take a set.

For the next half hour they talked about Judge Baxter and Judge Thurgood did some reminiscing about their childhood in Anderson, South Carolina. Then the judge said: "Well, enough of the good old days. I need to get to work and so do you. Sally will give you your duties and you will report to her. Beginning Monday I will want to see you every other day for an hour. And this coming Monday morning you have an eight o’clock appointment with the admissions officer at Emory. If you can impress them and Milford believes you can, you can start classes this fall."

Ernest couldn’t believe his good fortune. Sally told him his main job would be to run errands. When not on an errand he was to assist the clerks in doing research. By the end of the week he had developed a great relationship with Sally and all the clerks.

At five o’clock Monday morning Ernest climbed out of bed, unable to sleep. His stomach was churning, just as it had before entering battle. In three hours he had to walk in, cold, and meet someone he had no earthly idea who they were. The only thing he knew was this individual held a key to his future. He dressed and walked down to an all night café and had breakfast. Back in his room he showered, donned his new suit and drove to the campus of Emory University. He arrived at the Admission Office the same time as the secretary who was unlocking the door.

"You must Mr. Crockett. Mr. Phillips won’t be here for another twenty minutes or so. If you like you can help me make coffee." Ernest was glad to help, anything to get his mind from conjuring up all type of scenarios.

Mr. Phillips was a very pleasant man. He immediately invited Ernest into his office. As he took off his coat and rolled up his selves he ask Ernest why he had chosen Emory.

This caught Ernest by surprise. What could he say? "To be perfectly honest, sir, I believe I made no choice. I believe the choice was made for me."

"That being the case, what do you think of the choice Judge Thurgood made?"

"Knowing I had this appointment I spent time in the library Saturday studying Emory. Had not Judge Thurgood not intervened, Emory would have been one of the schools I would have applied to. I have to admit I was giving some thought to Georgia Tech."

"Now you’re at a crossroads. I’m going to put some pressure on you. I do understand that your service record indicates you do work well under pressure. Judge Simon Thurgood is a well regarded alumnus of this school and being able to enter with his recommendation, much will be ask of you. I do have a slot that I can fill for the fall semester and the Judge’s recommendation does put you at the top. However, I will need an answer by tomorrow at four o’clock."

"I will not need until tomorrow. My choice is Emory."

This was a choice Ernest never regarded. After the first semester Ernest knew he could increase his hours and continuing doing some work of Judge Thurgood. He, also, decided to attend classes year round in order to recapture some lost time. This allowed him to receive his Bachelors Degree in History after the fall semester of 1948.

Again Ernest had to disappoint his mentor Judge Baxter. In addition to that he, now, had disappoint Judge Thurgood. He had applied for, and been accepted for law school at both of their alma maters, the University of North Carolina and the University of Georgia. He, also, had made application to the University of Chicago and been accepted there. He felt it was time he began to cast his own shadow instead of being in another’s. He chose the University of Chicago began classes in the summer of 1949.

This was where he met a young lady with dark auburn hair, Dorothy Kincaid. Ernest soon learned she preferred to be called Dotty. Dotty was a junior and majoring in Social Psychology. Though she lived on campus, Dotty’s home was Evanston, Illinois. Ernest knew immediately that his life had changed. The relationship developed quickly and the winter break of 1949, the couple spent Christmas in Evanston with Dotty’s parents. After Christmas they took the train to Atlanta and drove to Campo to spend New Year’s with Ernest’s family.

Ernest had accelerated his class in Chicago the same as he had done at Emory and received his law degree after the spring semester of 1951 at the same graduation ceremony Dotty receive her Bachelors Degree. While Ernest had his law degree, he no longer had his adopted grandparents. Betty Baxter had passed away in February of a heart attack. In early April the Judge had passed away from what everyone knew was a broken heart.

Before the death of the his adopted grandparents, Ernest had been quite sure that his future lie in Atlanta. He was certain clerking for Judge Thurgood would be much more valuable that working as an associate in some law firm Dotty’s father was certain he could arrange. Dotty had accepted his proposal of marriage and the wedding was planned for the first week in August.

Dotty had been a little disappointed at Ernest’s rejection of her father’s help in obtaining a position in Chicago. She did, however, understand how clerking for Judge Thurgood, whom she had come to love as much as Ernest, would be much more beneficial to his career. Ernest had specialized in Constitutional Law and clerking for a judge on the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals was something not every graduate had the opportunity to do.

After wrapping everything up in Chicago, Ernest left of Campo. Dotty was going to follow him two weeks later and they would celebrate the Fourth of July there. Ernest’s sister, Gale, had picked him up in Atlanta. When that arrived in Campo he ask her to take him to the cemetery to visit the Baxters before going home. Standing there viewing the tombstone something came over him that he couldn’t explain, even to himself. He only knew that he had to come back here and though it seemed crazy, talk to the Judge.

Over the next two weeks, Ernest spent at least an hour at the grave site talking. After ten days it was clear to him that the Judge was telling him that Campo needed him. That evening he went nest door to visit Mildred Baugh, the Judge’s long time secretary. Mildred had lost her husband during the war and the Judge had taken her under his wing. While Ernest and Gale had inherited the Judge’s portfolio and some property in Campo, Mildred had been left the house and a substantial nest egg.

This was the first time Ernest had been in the Judge’s house since the day of the funeral. When he and Mildred went into the study, there were boxes every where. He looked at Mildred and she laughed. "All this is yours. The boxes contain everything from the Judge’s chambers at the courthouse. Those and everything in this library the Judge made me promise to see that you got them."

"This is a good lead into what I want to talk to you about. I’ve been going to the cemetery every day, and this may seem crazy, but I’ve been talking to the Judge."

"Not crazy at all. He wants you to stay in Campo. He thinks this little hamlet will someday need you."

Ernest’s jaw dropped. Mildred gave him one of her big smiles and then wrapped an arm around his shoulders. "After Betty passed away he and I talked a lot about her and a lot about you. There was no doubt in his mind he wanted you here. He even went so far as to extract a promise form some of the business here to give you some of their legal work."

With a puzzled look on his face, Ernest ask "Who?"

"I can’t tell you because he didn’t tell me. He did say if you set up a practice here they will be there to help you get started. First, however, we need to work on your passing the bar."

As Ernest returned home he didn’t know whether to feel relieved or more confused. Dotty would be here the day after tomorrow and how would he break the news to her that his plans had changed. She had seemed so content with the idea of working on her Masters at one the schools in Atlanta. And then there was Judge Thurgood and the offer to clerk for him.

Dotty had been easy. For some reason she seemed to have sensed what was going to happen. Her masters was not that important right now, his destiny was. When they set down to have lunch with Judge Thurgood he surprised Ernest. "Milford has convince you to return to your roots. I knew he would, even from the grave."