Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1854-10-27
Every Man his own Lawyer.

Every Man his own Lawyer.
SELF DEFENCE NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. vs..
DoDDER
From the Newburgh IN. W Gazette.
The People vs. James AIlerton. This
was very interesting case, rendered so
from the fact that the defendant acted as
"his own lawyer" on the trial, without hsv-
ing the advantage of being one Of The legal
fraternity. His Summing up" of which
we are able to give nearly verbatim re
port, with the exception of the "actins," was
decidedly rich, and afforded much amuse-
ment for the legal gentlemen present.
The defendant who is small, red haired.
thin specimen Of a Yankee, was indicted for
assault and battery on one Mr. Dodder-
The facts, as divulged upon trial are briefly
as follows: The defendant is in the employ
of the Mongaup Valley, Forrestburgh and
Port Jervis Plank Road Company, as toll
gatherer, and resided upon the road. some
miles above Pert Jervis. He and the COM
painant, Mr.. Dodder, are near neighbors.
On Sunday in February last, the defend
ant saw the complainant, in the act Of beat
ing his (defendan0 cows along the high
way, and as an inducment for him TO quit,
hurled few stones at him, one OF which,
as the complainant testified, struck him on
the back Of his neck. The testimony being
concluded, the defendant addressed the Ju-
ry as follows:
GENTLEMEN OF THE JURY:-I don't know
much about law, and since this trial has
been going on. have concluded that
ought to know little more. ought to ap-
pologiSe perhaps for appearing in my own
defence, and will do so by telling you that
l feed one lawyer, and hired another, in
this case, but they both come up missin 9
Dhen 1 need them most Isuppose might,
have secured the services of some Of
these other climbs of the law" that l
see around me, but having been cheated by
two Of 'em. I concluded to go il on my oUn
hook, aud here I AMI l want to tell you,
gentlemen. before go further, that it is
not my fault that this case is here taking
up the time ofthis honorable court think
you will give me credit for telling the truth
when say it ought to have been tried be-
fore Justice of the Peace, it being better
, adapted to the capacities of such a court
than of this one. After this difficulty bod
der did get warrant for me from 'Squr,
Jim Guddeback, over in Deerpark. HI
then charged that had insulted him, bu
five or six months has freshened his recol
lection, and he now says that l assaulted
and battered him. believe there is som,
! difference between the two charges.
g Dodder says he swore to the complain
before Squire Cuddeback, and l leave i
9 for you to say whether he tells the trutl
now in saying that battered him. | wa
;. taken by constable before the Squire
e and either because the Justice was asham
o ed of what he had already done, or hadn'
!, time 10 attend to it, don't know which.
J. Dent dopn. Two or three weeks afte
is that, was arrested again, and my vii
having been confined. / thought it best q
e dutiful husband, TO be around hum, so
&c got rid oft by giving security for my az
pearance to Court.
e You know, gentlemen. that l am in th
e employ of the Mongsup Valley. Forres
burg and Port Jeryis Plank Road Comps
ny, as a gate keeper. This company
r seems had sufficient confidence in my il
> tcgriiy and honesty TO place me in that in
portant station, and even If should receis
$4,000 and steal $1,000 Of it. that's b.
tween me and the company, and its nor
of Dodder's business Now, when ii
company sent me up along this road
collect tolls. this Dodder was one Of the il
TO habitants found here in the woods. and
IT. will say for him that he is good specmt
ie Of the rest of the population. But the
ID isn't any of them that seem to apprecia
all the benefits of this Plank Road.
y 1t let out to civilazation class Of peop
e. who never before realized the idea th
there was such thing as civilized life, al
this Dodder is one of them. Ii is ia
that soon after moved there, young "
man, II years old. come down out Of q
at mountains on the Plank Road. one day, al
q said she had never been out before. 81
at fairly seemed surprised to see q white ma
= and after asking few questions. went ba
at into the woods This Dodder was n
p. nearest neighbor. and good deal near
re than wanted him; and hadn't been the
long, before / heard that he had been
to ing about me TO one Of the Directors, a
sl. / soon found out that he wanted to get
son. who was sworn here against me. in .
a place; but he hasn't done il yet, and
I'm you don't convict me, reckon be wo
ni- very soon.
1t won't take long to dispose Of Dodd
No. 2. He testifes that he saw me thr'
IL three stones at his father. and "saw the {
he man dodge" On bis eross-examination
en- says that he was in his own house In
in. woods. and had to look over a hill twer
ID feet high. and also over three slab fen,
10 and two stone walls Well if he tells I
ed truth. all ! wish is. tina. had young d
'dsrs eyes He is certainly REMARKED