Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1850-10-12
,r smoot a,cended The platform and immedi-

CtnOOt dSCeHucu tho pidto'tu ""N ''''''SN'
ately aimed tremendous blow with his
enormous sword.cane at the head OF his Toe.
AT that blow five hundred hearts shuddered,
and more than d dozen voices shrieked, for
all expected TO seethe victims skull shivered
to atoms = The general astouishment, then,
may be conceived, when they beheld the
little lion staff describe quick curve as the
great sword-cane flew from Smoot's fingers
and fell with loud clatter at the distance OF
twenty feet in the hall The bafled bully
uttered cry of wrath wild as that of some
wounded beast Of prey, and snatched his
bowie knife from lis sheath but ere it was
well poised for the desperate plunge, the lit
lie iron staff cut another curve and the big
knife followed the sword-cane He drew
revolving pistol, but before he had limo 10
touch the trigger, his arm was striken down
poweress TO his side.
And then, for the first time, did Judge Yell
betray perceptble emotion He stamped his
foot till the platform shook beneath it, and
shouted in trumpet tones"Mr Clerk, you will
| d
the roll of attorneys. Mr.. Sheriff, take the
criminal 10 iail.p
The latter officer sprang 10 obey the man
date, and Immediately a scene of confusion
ensued that no pen can describe. The bravos
and myrmidon friends OF Gen. Sn,oot gather.
ed around TO obstruct the Sheriff, while many
of the citizens lent their opportune aid to sus-
tain the authority of the court--Menaces,
screams, and horrd curses, the ring OF ,mpn-
ging and crossing steel, alternate cries of
rage and pain, all commngled with the aw.
ful explosion of fire arms blended together
vivid idea of pandemonium. But through
out all the tempes tuous strife, two individu-
ais might be observed as leaders in the whirl-
wind and riders Of the s,orm.-The new
Judge used his little irou cane with terrible
efficiency, crippling limbs, yet sparng life :;
while 'tgood natured Bill BufTum," initiating
the clemency of his honorable friend, and
disdaining the employment of knife or pistol,
actually trampled and crushed down all op-
position, roaring a, every furious blow-"This
is the way to preserve order in court ~ SEN
timent which he accompanied with peas of
wild laughter. In less than two minutes the
party of the Judge triumphed, the clique OF
Smoot suffered disastrous defeat, and the
bully himself was born away 10 prison.
Such was the debut of Archibald Yell in
Arkansas; and from that day his popularity
as man, as Judge; as a hero, and as po-
litician, went ON rapidly and brilliantly in
creasing, till it eclipsed all the oldes, and most
powerful names. Within the first year of
his emigration he became candidate for the
Governors chair and Notwithstanding the
bitterest opposition, he was elected by nine
tenths of the votes poled. At the end of his
term he canvassed for Congress, and again
swept the State like a hurricane. He contin.
ued TO serve with success in the supreme
councils of the nation until the period of the
war with Mexico He then resigned, hurried
home 10 Arkansas, and raised regiment Of
volunteer cavalry, with which he made al
possible despatch for the scene of action.
The writer OF the present sketch saw him
on his line of march to coalesce with the
grand army of occupation, and never will he
forget the evening passed by his hospi,able
campfire on Red river, within the limits oi
Texas. The prophecy of his farewell word:
rings still in my ear with mournfui distinct.
ness.
II go,l said ne, with look of fire, and il
tones of thrilling emphasis, ''to make fame
that shall be co-eXtensive with the length
and breadth of the Union, CT TO extinguisl
life itself in a blaze of glory"
; He kept his word: he did both He arri
we'd on the CORY arena in time to witness the
magnificent storm of the great day of Bueni
Vista; and where is the true child of Ameri
can birth that cannot name the three tran
scendent stars o: chivalry who fell quenche,
i, in blood that day ?-aye, who fell but as the,
fell she'd a parting sunburst of everlasting lii,
light over that field of glory and of graves
5 Dost remember! Hardin Clay Yell!
t We have only space remaining TO sanc,
: cur entu odl9me at the striking character o
r Gov, Yell's genius. II seems from his child
HuOu 10 nave DttH CuHl iOulN U
courage, prudence and love of appreciation
e Although born of very poor parents he wa
: distinguished even when boy alike by hi
: daring, histhrst for practical Knowledge, an
: the refined courtesy of his manners. As
:, lawyer, judge and statesman, he was far fror
being profound. He never sought for cenrs
problems embodying frs, principal; he ha
i no skill for the analysis of causes; but he ha
e an eye for consequences near and remote
piercing and far sighted as The eagles.
l. That he had faults, we do not deny, br
n whatever their nature or number, we will M
discuss them now.
r, They were all amply expiaied by that he
D. roic dea,h--lhe rich bation of blood poure
IL out on the altar, too, at the same hour, on III
b, same point of the ensanguined field, befoT
the same sweep of fire and " hlrl%Ind OF ba
&c tie, fell another sacrifice humber, but not if
ne less acceptable TO the genius OF our gloriol