[There were at that time in Greensboro two distinguished Confederate generals, Forrest and Rucker, engaged in building the Selma and Memphis Railroad.] Judge Blackford conferred with some prominent citizens, and at his request they consented to purchase his property on condition that he resign and betake himself to other parts. After prolonged negotiations, the arrangement was effected. Governor Lindsay appointed as Blackford's successor to the probate judgeship Mr. James M. Hobson, father of Congressman Richmond P. Hobson. Dr. Blackford, with his grievances, repaired to Washington, where an emollient in the form of a special agency of the Postoffice Department diverted his thoughts from the enemies he had left behind. The details of Dr. Blackford's statement of information derived from the Confederate general should be taken with a grain of salt, because his memory was not accurate. In Washington he testified in regard to another occurrence in Greensboro, and General Blair's inquisitiveness exposed the infirmity referred to. He said the citizens regarded the soldiers "as a set of niggers and offscourings of creation" whom they could "buy with two dollars and a drink of whisky," and make them do their will. Then he related that "while probate judge" there was an election in Greensboro, and soldiers in charge at the polls got drunk and changed negroes' votes. He interfered, and one of them asked: "What the devil have you got to do with it?" The doctor replied: "I have simply this much, I am the presiding officer here of this county; I propose to keep the peace and enforce my rights as the presiding officer of the county, and I will deal with you myself if you do not leave." The valiant doctor then drew a pistol and said, "If you do not leave here now, I will shoot you." Comrades of the obstreperous soldier interposed and bore him away, leaving the doctor in serene enjoyment of his rights as "presiding officer of the county." After he had testified further at considerable length, Senator Blair suddenly projected himself into the inquiry with the question: "On what occasion was it you drew your pistol upon a United States soldier and told him you would shoot him if he would not desist?" "It was on the day of the election." "What election?" "For the constitution; the day we voted on the constitution, I think that was the day." "What office did you hold then?" "No, sir; it was not the day of the constitutional election; it was the day on which the election, I think, of officers took place, and I know that I was--or at least my impression is that I was probate judge at the time; that is my impression, that I was probate judge at the time." "The officers were elected on the same day the constitution was voted on. So you could not have been a probate judge until you were elected and commissioned."