An Intriguing Letter Opener

For more than 40 years our beloved grandparents Leon and Mary Grayson lived on the 4th floor of an attractive early-20th century apartment house located just one city block from our childhood home. Their unit overlooked a large lawn and a bustling commuter avenue, with taller apartments and the entrance to the local zoo prominent across the street. We visited often, especially on Saturday mornings.

“Every Day But Saturday”

Leon and Mary were affectionate and playful, and we later came to understand that their family stories might have included a dramatic flourish or two. Leon “was one to spin a yarn,” recalled his granddaughter Susan. Mary matched him, memorably confiding that Leon was a part of the University of Georgia’s 1927 “Dream and Wonder” national champion football squad. “He played every day but Saturday,” Mary concluded with a mischievous grin. Contemporary documents confirm that Leon tried out for the UGA football team in 1926, ’27, and ’28. On one solitary Saturday in March 1927, Leon played in a “Red and Black” scrimmage, lining up at right tackle for the losing Reds.

An Intriguing Letter Opener

Leon and Mary kept a sheathed dagger on their desk, which was sometimes used as a letter opener. We all freely handled the dagger, and if any blood was accidentally spilled as a result I was not aware of it. The metal sheath and dagger were both tarnished, and there were rust-colored stains near the tip of the fixed, double-edged blade.

A Young Lawyer, Paid in Peanuts

Leon graduated from UGA with a Bachelor of Laws degree in June 1929, and was licensed to practice law in his hometown of Savannah the following month. He was 22-years old. Leon served as counsel or co-counsel in dozens of cases over the next few years, primarily involving divorce and alimony, liability, and larceny/robbery. One early case was for cattle stealing.

Like many during the Great Depression, Leon regularly accepted barter for his services. It being Georgia, his pay was sometimes – quite literally – peanuts. The dagger on his desk, we were told, was used by a client in a murder case, the rust-colored stains being the dried blood of the unfortunate victim. The knife was given to Leon as partial payment and, presumably, in gratitude for an acquittal. At least that’s the way I remember hearing the story.

Assault With Intent to Murder

The Savannah [GA] Evening Press newspaper was recently digitized and made available online. Through it we are able to follow the court activities of our young grandfather, including twelve cases in which a client was accused of violent assault. Was the weapon used by one of these defendants our letter opener?

• June 12, 1930: Client Ed G. found guilty of manslaughter in “a regrettable accident” in which a woman acquaintance died of wounds from a “switch-back knife.” The term is no longer used. Is it similar to what we’d call a switch-blade, or might it be our letter opener?
• June 15, 1931: Julius A. found guilty of assault with intent to murder for striking a woman with a billet of wood.
• December 18, 1931: Jimmy R., age 17, not guilty of assault with intent with an iron bar, self-defense. The judge lectured “that the jury had treated him very considerately. He advised the boy to mend his ways, and prove himself a man, else he would go to the gallows, the electric chair, or hell.”
• March 24, 1932: Cleveland S. charged with assault with intent to murder by “wielding a razor…. The defendant contended self-defense and that he was being beaten when he put a pocket-knife into action.” No decision found.
• April 6, 1932: Marion H., assault with intent, shooting a man with two loads of buckshot. Charges dismissed, mistaken identity.
• December 12, 1932: James H. charged with assault with intent, convicted of lesser charge, assault and battery with an ax.
• March 22, 1933: Arthur M. acquitted of murder, fatally shot a man in self-defense.
• October 24 and 26, 1933: Robert J. charged with assault with intent. Admitted to cutting a man with a knife, requiring 18 stitches, claiming self-defense. Leon introduced a letter from the plaintiff on Oct. 26: “I do not wish to prosecute. Mr. Robert J. has an honorable record, being a Spanish War veteran, and is affiliated with the Fraternal Order of Eagles, and has an excellent reputation in Savannah, where he has lived for approximately 60 years….. The occurrence was most unfortunate and deplorable to both parties on account of our friendship.” No description is given of the knife.
• November 10, 1933: Emma M. guilty of manslaughter for cutting another woman to death with a knife, two female co-defendants acquitted. No description of the knife.
• March 20, 1934: James R. convicted of assault with intent to murder in a shooting incident.
• August 28, 1934: Frank F. acquitted of murder in stabbing, self-defense. No description of knife.
• December 11 and 12, 1934: Riley T. accused of burglary and assault with intent, stabbing victim 3 times. Acquitted, mistaken identity.

Murder Weapon?

Wow. Being a criminal defense attorney could be a seamy way to make a living, especially in the 1930s, when livings were harder to eke out. Is it any wonder that in June 1935, Leon, at age 28, accepted an offer to be a Justice Department lawyer in Washington D.C.? There he and Mary moved, and there they lived and loved us, sharing their stories with just a dash of seasoning for enhanced flavor. Was their letter opener really a murder weapon, and the rust stain dried blood? Doubtful. Is it a relic from one of his former defendants? Probable. I’m thinking it was the October 1933 Spanish War veteran. How about you?

Postscript

After publishing this post Leon’s grandchildren Beth and Teresa separately messaged with reverse image search results.

From Teresa: “This looks very similar!” Antique c. 1860 Civil War U.S. Naval Officer’s Dirk Dagger Knife and Sheath – There are no markings present. It features an Ox bone handle insert. 5″ long blade and 8.75″ total length. Invaluable Auctions https://www.invaluable.com/auction-lot/antique-c-1860-civil-war-u-s-naval-officers-dirk–127-c-8ce4761932

From Beth: “If he did get the knife as payment it was at least 100 years old at the time!” War of 1812 Era Naval Dirk / Knife – Circa 1810, silver pommel and guard, checkered bone grip, 5 3/8″ blade, silver scabbard / sheath. No visible markings, overall 8 3/4″ long in scabbard. Invaluable Auctions https://www.invaluable.com/auction-lot/war-of-1812-era-naval-dirk-knife-1211a-c-4764e499ca?objectID=114210027&algIndex=archive_prod&queryID=aab4352a404fcb11049a06cb0fa6c7ea

Both are very similar to Leon’s knife (or, more properly, dirk). Leon’s 2nd great grandfather was in fact a War of 1812 Naval Officer, and it is tempting to hope this is a Grayson family relic. Leon’s father was a Spanish War veteran and involved in leadership of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, thus the family would have been acquainted with Robert J. Perhaps it was a relic from his family. In any case, it certainly adds to the intrigue.