Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1850-09-21
THE VOLUNTEER COUNSEL.
A TALE OF JOHN TAYLOR.

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I'VE copy the following from the New
York Sunday Times. The subject of it,
John Taylor, was licensed, when youth
of twenty-one, TO practice at the bar ofthi.
city. He was poor but well educated, and
possessed extraordinary genius. The gra-
ces Of his person, combined, with the su.
perority Of his intellect, enabled him to
win the hand of fashionable beauty
Twelve months afterwards the husband was
employed by a wealthy firm of the city to
60 on mission as land-agent 10 the west.
AS heavy salary was offered, Taylor bade
farewell TO his wife and infant son. He
wrote back every week, but received not a
lire r answer. Six months elapsed, when
the husband received letter from his en-
ployers that explained all. Shortly after
his departure for the west, the wife and
her father removed to Mississippi. There
she Immediately obtained divorce by an
act OF the Legislature, married again forth
with, and, to complete the climax of cru
city and wrong, had the name of Taylor's
son changed to Marks-that of her second
matrimonial partner! This perfdy nearly
drove Taylor insane. His career, from
that period, became eccentric in the last
degree sometimes he preached, some
times he plead at the bar; until, at last, a
fever carried him off at comparatively
early age.-Eps. BULLETIN.l
AT an early hour the 9th Of April, 1910,
the court house IN Clarksville, Texas, was
crowded to overfowing. Save in the war;
times past, there had never been witnessed
such gathering in Red River county,
while the strong feeling, apparent on every
flushed face throughout the assembly, be-
tokened some great occasion. A concise
narrative OF facts will sufficiently explain
the matter.
About the close of 1889, George Hop
kins, one of the wealthiest planters and
most influential men of Northern Texas,
offered gross insult to Mary Eliston, the
young and beautiful wife of his chief over
seer. The husband threatened to chastise
him for the outrage, whereupon Hopkins
loaded his gun, went to Elliston's house,
and shot him in his own door. The MUIR
derer was arrested, and bailed to answer
the charge. This occurrence produced in
tense excitement and Hopkins, in order
to turn the tide of popular opinion, or at
least to mitigate the general wrath, which
at first was violent against him, circulated
reports iniamously prejudicial to the char
acter of the woman who had already suf-
fered such cruel wrong at his hands. She
brought her suit for SANDER. And thus two
causes, one criminal, and the other civil,
and both out of the same tragedy, were
pending in the April Circuit Court for 1910.
The interest naturally felt by the COM
munity as to the issues became far deeper
when it was known that Ashley and Pike
of Arkansas, and the celebrated S. S. Prem
tiss of New Orleans, each with enormous
fees, had been retained by Hopkins for bis
defence.
The trial, on the indictment for murder
ended on the 9Th of April, with the acqui-
tai of Hopkins. Such result might well
have been foreseen, by comparing the tai.
ents OF the counsel engaged on either side
The Texan lawyers were utterly over
whelmed by the argument and eloquence
of their opponents. 1t was fight of dwarf
against giants.
The SANDER suit was set for the 9th, and
the throng of spectators grew in number,
as well as excitement; and what may seem
strange, the current of public sentiment
now ran decidedly for Hopkins. His mon
ey had procured POINTED witnesses, who
served most efficiently his powerful advo
Gates. Indeed, so triumphant had been thu
success of the previous day, that when thu
slander case was called, Mary Elliston wa
left without an attorney-they had al
withdrawn. The pigmy-pettifoggers daret
not brave again the sharp wit of Pike ant
the scathing thunder of Prentiss.
"Have you no counsel?" inquired Judg,
Mills, looking kindly at the plaintiff.
"No, sir; they have all deserted me, ant
am too poor to employ any more," re
piled the beautiful Mary, bursting into tears
SIN such case, will not some chivalrou
member of the profession volunteers ask
ed the judge, glancing around the bar.
The thirty lawyers were silent as death
Judge Mills repeated the question.
81 will, your honor" said voice frou
the thickest part of the crowd situated be
hind the bar. At the tones of that yoic
many started half way from their seats
and perhaps there was not heart in th
, immense throng which did not beat some
thing quicker-it was so unearthly swee
clear, ringing, and mournful.