South Carolina gentleman's walking stick, Judge James Rutland related circa 1872
14k yellow gold handle engraved on top "Presented to Judge James M. Rutland By the Members of the Bar of the Fourth Circuit S.C. June 1872," along with chased and floral repousse decoration on ebonized wood shaft ending with metal tip.
overall L36"

Other Notes: Judge James M. Rutland was a prominent and well-respected citizen of Fairfield County, South Carolina. He graduated from the University of Virginia law school, and after returning to Winnsboro he was appointed magistrate and admitted to the bar in December of 1844. He practiced law for many years, and when South Carolina seceded, Judge Rutland proclaimed himself a Unionist. Although his position was generally unpopular, he himself was well-respected. He became a member of the reconstruction convention and elected Senator of the first Radical Legislature. He died on April 17, 1872 at sixty years of age.