Thomas E. Watson (1856-1922), a lawyer and politician from Thomson, Georgia (McDuffie County), served as a member of the Georgia House of Representatives, U.S. House of Representatives, a leader in the Southern Farmers' Alliance, and vice-presidential candidate for the Populist Party. After retiring from active politics, Watson published two publications: The Jeffersonian and Watson's Magazine. In reaction to an article Watson wrote for The Jeffersonian, he was charged with a violation of Section 211 of the U.S. Penal Code, "having deposited in the mail certain obscene and filthy publications." These statements were anti-Catholic and anti-priest. Previously, Watson had been tried on this charge, but the case ended in a mistrial. In the second trial, which was held in Augusta, Georgia, in 1916, and heard by Judge W.W. Lambdin, lasted three days, and the jury found Watson not guilty.