Cherokee Under State Rule. The Cherokees had, up to 1832, been independent of State authority. They were under a sort of tribal government of their own. Chief Ridge and Chief John Ross were two of the most influential leaders. In 1832 the legislature passed an act extending the jurisdiction of the State over the Cherokee country.
Divided into Counties. One of the ten counties into which the Cherokee territory was divided was named Cherokee County. Many of the Cherokees objected to this show of authority on the part of the State. Chief Ridge advised peace, while Chief Ross headed the dangerous body of the Cherokees and was the bitter enemy of the State of Georgia. He lived where Rome now stands and dated his letters "Head of the Coosa." He moved into Tennessee later. Ross' Landing, now Chattanooga, took its name from him.
Murray County, 1832, was laid out from Cherokee County. It was named for Hon. Thos. W. Murray. It was originally much larger than at present. It comprised what is now Dade, Walker, Catoosa, Whitfield, Murray, Gordon, and a part of Bartow. Walker was taken from Murray in 1833 and in 1834 another slice was taken off and added to Cass County (now Bartow). The other counties named above were at later dates taken from Murray, leaving it the present size and boundary.
Courts Established. For some time Cherokee County was one circuit, under Judge David Irwin, but only a semblance of civil government could be maintained. The first court is said to have been held in Walker County in a hewed log house, between LaFayette and Ringgold. Walker was then part of Murray.
Spring Place was incorporated in 1834, and was made the county site, which it has since remained. It was first called Poinset, but the people disliked the name and called it Spring Place. The records show that on Sept. 19, 1834, Abner E. Holliday and Matthew Jones jointly deeded forty acres of Lot No. 245 to the county "for the purpose of placing a county cite upon."
Superior Court, 1833. The first volume of the Superior Court Record of Murray County, which is still preserved in the clerk's office, is opened with the following preamble:
"As a Superior Court began and holden in and for the county oŁ Murray on the first Monday in September in the year eighteen hundred and thirty-three, pursuant to the law. Present his honor, John W. Hooper."
"As a Superior Court began and holden in and for the county oŁ Murray on the first Monday in September in the year eighteen hundred and thirty-three, pursuant to the law. Present his honor, John W. Hooper."
The First Grand Jury was sworn in as follows: Benjamin Clark, foreman, Asa May, Eli Bouling, Daniel Anderson, Samuel Johnson, James McGhee, John R. Smedley, Samuel Miller, Roger Markins, John Gillian, Ambler Casey, John W. Cain, Thomas Bryant, Robert C. Cain, John B. Marstin, Wilson R. Young, Robert Smith, Benjamine Wheeler.
The First True Bill recorded is against George Took, charged with murder. This was probably for the crime mentioned in Chapter IV. At this time Murray had no jail, so he was taken to Jasper, Cass County. I have been unable to learn what disposition was made of the case. Several old citizens have informed me that the lawless element defied the courts for some time and that the next Judge, O. H. Kenan, was the first who succeeded in holding court and enforcing respect for the law.
Inferior Court, 1834. In an old book of court records is found this opening statement:
"The Justices of the Inferior Court in and for the County of Murray, State of Georgia, convened at Spring Place on the 19th day of February, 1834. Present their honors, Francis Burke, John Adams, Eli Bowlin, James Kencannon."
Order No. 1. By this court, that the place of holding the Superior and Inferior Courts and transacting the public business in and for said county be at Spring Place, at the house of William N. Bishop. Order passed day and date above written.
THOS. J. HARPER, Clerk Inferior Court.
The William N. Bishop mentioned was at the time clerk of the Superior Court, and his "house" was probably the old Mission building. The Inferior Court continued until about the close of the Civil War, when its duties were assumed by a Court of Ordinary and a Board of Roads and Revenues.
The First Election of county officers excited hitter feelings. Wm. N. Bishop was elected first representative. Fraud was charged, and street fights were common. In true bills found at the next court assault, riot, and murder are some of the charges that show the intense animosity that existed. It is said that the opposing forces sometimes would fight regular battles in a small way with sticks and stones.
But after all they were "nature's noblemen," who were destined to lay the foundation, broad and deep, for our counties' wonderful development.
Murray County History 1911