Sleepy NH Town Happy It's Getting Souter Back

Head over the Piscataquog River, past some stone walls and chickenwire fences, and you’ll find a rickety farmhouse, its barn’s nameplate reading, “Souter,” reports Peter Schworm of the Los Angeles Times. The Supreme Court justice grew up in this sleepy part of New Hampshire, and his neighbors are thrilled he’s coming home to it. “This is his favorite place in the whole world,” said a town clerk. “It will be so good to have him back.”

Souter is held in high regard here less because he ascended so high than because he never forgot where he came from. Souter openly disdained DC, returning to New Hampshire whenever the opportunity arose. He’s reputed to live a simple, solitary existence, spurning the technological trappings of the modern world. “He wants to be here for the same reasons I do,” said one 66-year-old resident. “Peace, quiet, and friendly people.” (More David Souter stories.)