Although Georgia was divided into two federal court districts, Northern and Southern, there was but one federal judge in the state until 1882. In that year, Judge John Erskin became judge of the Southern District, holding court for the Western Division in Macon. The federal court rented the upper floor of a building on Cherry Street, the lower floor being occupied by a wholesale liquor dealer. By chance, this location is now occupied by the Federal Bankruptcy Court.
In 1883, the State of Georgia ceded a lot in Macon on the corner of Third and Mulberry to the Federal Government for construction of a federal courthouse. A three-story brick Victorian building resulted.
In 1885, Emory Speer was appointed Judge of the Southern District of Georgia. Judge Speer transferred the administrative seat of the court from Savannah to Macon, and set out on a distinguished, contentious and tumultuous thirty-three year career. The Macon Federal Courthouse was not the last of his battles. Congress arguably had authorized a new federal courthouse for Macon, but Judge Speer didn't see it that way. He contended the act only contemplated enlargement of the existing building. It is said that the captain of a ship at sea is the nearest thing to God on earth. This is said only by those not acquainted with the federal judiciary. Judge Speer would not move out of the old courthouse so that construction of the new building could begin. Even when the old structure was sold to a wrecker, Judge Speer would not budge.
President Teddy Roosevelt, not a man to be trifled with, issued an order for construction to begin, with "all assistance" being given to Judge Speer in moving the court. Judge Speer stalled. He warned darkly against anyone interfering with the operation of the court.
At last, the contractor let it be known that he would just tear down that portion of the old building not actually used for the courtroom - about three-fourths of the structure. Visualizing his robe flapping in the breeze of a splintered building, Speer gave up, but not without a parting shot. In October 1905 he pointed out all of the cases that would be delayed, then adjourned court until May because "the federal court has no courtroom" in which to try cases.
Eventually, Judge Speer rented temporary quarters for the court, and the building now named the William Augustus Bootle building was constructed.