Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1851-01-22
Nj ISC ELL A N Y.
VOLUNTEER COUNSEL
A TALE OF JOHN TAYLOR.

We copy the following from the New York Sunday
Times The subject of il, John Taylor. was licensed,
when youth of twentyone TO practice at the bar ofths
city. e poor, but we'll educated, and possessed
extraordinary genius. The graces of his person comb
ned with the superiority Of his intellect, enabled him 10
win the hand Of fashionable beauty Twelve months
afterwards the husband employed BY wealthy firm
of the city to 20 on mission land agent to the West
As heavy salary offered, Taylor bade farewell to
his wife and infant son. He back every week. but
received not a line in answer. Six months elapsed,
when the husband received letter from his employers
that explained ALL Shortly after his departure 10 the
West the wife and her father removed Mssissipp.-
There she immediately obtained divorce by an act Of
the Legislature, married again forthwith; and to COM
pee the climax of cruelty and wrong had the Of
Tayors son changed Marks-that Of her second
rmonia partner! This perfdy nearly drove Taylor in.
sane His career, from that period become eccentric in
the last degree: sometimes he preached, sometimes he
pleaded at the bar until, last fever carried him off at
comparatively early age Philadelphia Bulletin.
At an early hour the 9th Of April, lS4O the Court
House in Clarksville Texas, was crowded to overflow
ing. Save in the times past there had been
witnessed such gathering in Red River county, while
the strong feeling apparent every flushed face through
out the assembly, betokened some great occasion. A
concise narr aye of facts will sufficiently explain the
matter
About the close OF 1889, George Hopkins, one of the
wealhiest planters and influential men of Northern
Texas, offered gross insult Mary Es,on the young
and beautiful wife Of his chief overseer The husband
threatened to chasse him for the outrage, whereupon
Hopkins loaded his gun went Elliston's house and
o.,I
and baed TO answer the charge This occurrence pro-
duced utense excitement and Hopkins in order to turn
the tide Unpopular opinion at astto mitigate the general
wrath, which first violent aga inst him. circulated
reports namously pejucia to the character Of the wo-
man who had already suffered such cruel wrong at his
hands, She brought her suit for SANDER And thus TWO
causes one criminal and the other civil and both of
the same tragedy, were pending in the April Circuit
Court, for 1910,
The interest naturally felt by the community as TO the
issues, became far deeper when it was known that Ash
ley and Pike, of Arkansas. and the celebrated s. s.
Prentss, of New Orleans each with enormous fees had
been retained by Hopkins for his defence.
The trial, on the indictment for MURDER ended the
9Th of April, with The acqu!al of Hopkins. Such re-
suit might well have been foeseen, by comparing the
yes were utterly overwhelmed by the argument and eo
quence of their opponents. 1t fight Of dwarfs
gainst giants.
the sander suit st for the 9h and the throng of
spectators grew in numbers as we'll as excitement, and
what may strange the current Of public sentiment
now ran decidedly for Hopkins. His money had procu-
led pointed Witnesses who served most efficiently his
powerful advocates. Indeed, so triumphant had been
the Of the previous day, that when the sander
case called, Mary Eiston was left without an ator-
ney--,hey had all withdrawn. The pigmy peiiifoggeTs
dared not brave again the sharp wit of Pike and the
scahing thunder of Prentiss.
"Haveyou no counsel 2" inquired Judge Mills, look
ing kindly at the plaintiff.
"No sir; they have all deserted me, and am too
poor to employ any more replied the beautiful Mary,
bursting into tears:
"ln such case, will not some chivalrous member of
the profession volunees" asked the Judge glancng a.
round the bar.
The thirty lawyers were silent as cath