Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1854-08-12
COL YELL OF ARKANSAS.

COA AAIA. VI I1lAnANDI1Cs
We make the following extract from sketch
OF Col. Archibald Yell, Of Arkansas
The Judge had taken his seat for the first
time. The first case on the docket was called,
and the plaintiff stood ready.
Gen. Smoot arose f0r the defendant, and re-
marked in an overbearng tone
"Our witnesses are absent; and therefore, /
demand that the case be continued until the
next term in the course"
Let the affidavit be filed, for not until then
can entertain motion for continuance" was
the mild reply of the Judge.
"Do you doubt my words as to the fact ~
exclaimed Gen. Smoot sharply, and involun.
tarlly he raised his huge sword cane.
"Not at all" replied the Judge, with his
o'andest smile. But the law requires that
the facts Justifying continuance mast appear
on the record, and the court has not power to
annul the law, nor will he see it annulled."
The Judges calm and business like tone
and manner only served to irritate the bully,
and he retorted, shaking his sword cane in the
direction of the bench:
Whatever may be the law, for one, will
not hear it from the lips of an upstart dema-
gogue and coward"
Judge YelI's blue eyes shot lightning; but
he only turned to the clerk?
Clerk, you will enter fine of fifty dollars
against Gen. Smoot, as see him named on the
docket, tor great contempt of the court; and
be sure to issue an immediate execution"
He had hardly communicated the order, when
Smoot was seen rushing towards him, bran
dishing his sword cane, and all his features
wrthing in murderous wrath, and as pallid as
a corpse.
Every glance was fixed on the countenauce
of the Judge, for all wished to know how he
would brook the coming shock Of the duellist's
assault. But none, however could detect the
slightest change in his appearance. His cheek
grew neither red nor white, nor nerve seemed
to tremble; his calm eye surveyed the advancing
foe, with as little sign of perturbation as
chemist might show, scrutinizing the efferves-
cence of some novel mixture. He sat perfectly
still, with a staff of painted iron in his right
hand.
Smoot ascended the platform, and Immediate
|y aimed tremendous blow with bis enormous
sword cane, full at the head of his foe. At
that blow five hundred hearts shuddered, and
more than dozen voices shrieked, for all ex-
pected to see his victims head shivered into
atoms. The general astonsbment may then
be conceived when they beheld the little staff
describe quick curve, and the great sword
cane few from Smoots fingers, and fell with
loud clatter at the distance of twenty feet in
the hall. The baf1ed bully uttered cry Of
wrath, wild as that Of some wounded beast OF
prey, and snatched his bowie-knife from its
sheath, but ere it WAS poised for the desperate
plunge, the little iron staff cut another curve,
md the knife followed the sword cane. He
hen drew revolving pistol, but before he had
lime to pull the trigger, his arm was struck
,owerless by his side.
And then for the first time did Judge Yell
,etray any perceptibe emotion. He stamped
lis foot, the platform shook beneath it, and
shouted in trumpet tones:
"Mr. Clerk, you will blot out this ruf1ian's
,ame, as foul disgrace, from the roll Of attor-
leys. Mr. Sheriff, take this criminal to JAIL"
The latter officer sprang to obey the mandate,
md Immediately a scene Of confusion ensued,
hat no pen can describe. The bravos and
nyrmidon friends of Gen. Smoot gathered
round to obstruct the sheriff, while many of
he citizens lent their aid to sustain the author
ty of the court. Menaces, screams, and horrid
urses, the ring of impinging and crossing
teel, alternate cries Of rage and pain, all COM
mingled with the awful discharge Of fire arms,
tended together vivid idea of Pandemonium
But throughout the impetuous strife, two
Individuals might be observed as leaders in the
vhirIwind and riders of the storm The Judge
sed his little cane with terrible efficiency, Grip,
ling limbs, yet sparing life. Bill Button imita.
ing the clemency ofhis honored friend, disdain-
ng the use of knife or pistol actually trampled
nd crushed down all the opposition, roaring at
very furious blow-"this is the way TO preserve
rider in court" sentiment which he accom-
anied with peals of laughter. In less than
wo minutes the party of the Judge triumphed,
he clique of General Smoot suffered disas-
rous defeat, and the bully himself was borne
way to prison.
Such was the debut of Archibald Yell in
arkansas; and from that day his popularity asa
olitcian, went on rapidly and brilliantly in
reasing. till he eclipsed all the elder and more
owerful names.