Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1854-03-10
HAVING A CRACK AT EN-:
STORMING AN ARKANSAS COURT HOUSE

HAVING CRACK AT EN-:
sToRM1NG AN ARKASsAs COURT HOUSE.
BY ''FALCoNBRIDGE.'
The State of Arkansas is not exactly what it used
to was civilization, schoOlmasters, colporeurs, and
common sense have quite changed the general aspect
of affairs, political, legal agricultural and domestic
And hence the never ending Arkansaw stories, of the
''ancient regime" become more vivid, thrilling or
udcrous contrasted with the present order of things
in that part of Uncle Sans farm.
Some years ago, in one of the newly laid out coun
ties of Arkansas, quite intestinal war broke out
among the people, relative to courthouse. One
party would have the county seat here, and another
party there. The side insisted the courthouse
should be located here and built so, the other sde
persisted in building courthouse thus and no way
nor no how else. The democratic or dominant party
went TO work, made clearfn, and up went spacious
log edifce, in which justice should hold her court
and legal affairs of the new and not overly popuous
county, be dispensed according 10 the statutes, Black
stone Coke and Lttleton. &c. The court being ready
to begin business, the clerk proceeded to organize
nries, grand uries, and swear them and the officers
of the court. Upon reaching the cout house, the
Judge found very considerable gathering of the peo-
pie; he felt proud to have such grand opening and
feeling his oa and knowing all Wild Cat county had
their eyes stretched to that auspcious epoch, with the
weight of his official robes and the dignity OF the State
of Arkansas. resting upon his broad shoulders he de-
temined that the glory of the one should not be tar
nshed, the ponderosity of the other shrank from
Hitching his horse to the rack in of the court
house, the judge took off his mittens and saluted the
crowd that began 10 assemle around him.
Well, gentlemen" he began when coarse voice
interrupted the Judge with
Look here, old hoss, none O. your palayer now"
4" Sir !" the judge responds in amazement
80 Yes, sreee old hoss-fy, you amt comm O
your big locks this crowd, how" says another
''Why, gentlemen stammers the judge, what's
all this mean ~
hv nd
such a load O poles over us we'll you CAN'T
= But, |, gentleman
81 Gentlemen be-, you'll find Us men round YER"
bawls one of the crowd hemmng in the be-
wildered lawyer.
Well continues the Judge, really this is without
precedent. | am astonished,'
' And you'll be more 'sonished yet judge, if you
open a court in these diggins u
sc 1t Can't be did, ole hoss p cries another.
Now the judge a whole team himself, when
aroused; he had lived too long in the woods to be
frightening at ground hogs garter snakes his court
esy and good humor was threatbare he was growing
red about the gls his hair brstled upon his capa-
cious head, and it was very evident all explosion
on hand.
Look hete," says the judge, I've como here to
open court it the court is ready, Pm ready for court;
if there's any the docket I'll try them if
there's any ngger-stealer, horse thieves, counter
eiters, or--ascals of any desdription I'll put them
through course OF sprouts, or my name is not Judge
BuGLrf0, or w 40 Cat county, state OF Arkansas -
g Hurrah hurrah !" bawls the crowd.
''1hree cheers for the ole hoss, he's raising steam m
And,' continues the Judge g ! will further stat e,
for your general and several good, and respective in
formation -
"Go ii bob tall" cries one.
''Silence, darn ye!" echoes another
g If any man attempts to show any contempt for
my court. I'll clap the screws on him quicker than
lightning if any man, with malice afore thought
dares to moest me. III throw down the dignity of my
official station, and waffle the skunk until his onry
hide won't hold corn shucks !"
"Put 'em through, Judge!
g Go in Give em goss ~
''Three cheers for the Judge, hurrah WOO O. oOp ~
And the Judge started for the court house door, his
saddlebags his arm the air resounded with full
yell and chorus of the crowd There the jurors,
the lawyers the cases, the plaintiffs defendants wit
nesses sheriff and officials and persons necessarily
connected with temple of justice. 1t was very evil
dent, however, that a row was brewing; it was in
vain that the crer cried order, that the Judge ord
cred the dIsorderly out His eloquencc. his dignity,
his common sense all failed to restore . ORDER
organize the court.
:" | would like to know said he, as as partial
quiet restored. what this cabal means, who are
the disorderly, and what they after?'
Well, Ju ge." says TALL gaunt, wolfsh fellow,
rising above the crowd, you we folks up above
Rattle snake Fork, of Possum Creek, and the ijinn
neighborhood, agin this yer coart'
''You are!" exclams the Judge, who are you
sir:'
'Thatll pear Judge, when git through my ar
gyn," continued the Demosthenes of Raitlesnake
Fork, of POssum Creek. g We posed the idee since
the county lines were drawn, we rosed this yer To-
cation for gineral court pose it now, and stand
yer Bill MCrackin, of Rattesnake Fork, Of Possum
Creek stand yer to defend the universal rights and
sacred liberties, and the usts Of the country That's
who am : yes sir ee !"
One grand and indiscrimnate yell of appreciation
followed Bill MCrackn's sublime peroration. Now
the Judge rose he twched down his sheep skin vest,
he fumbled nervousy about his wristbands he looked
warm and wolfish all over.
81 perceive" said the Judge, with the strongest
possible effort 10 keep cool, that there is determn
alton the part of sundry evil disposed individuals,
to interfere with and obstruct the duties dignity and
responsibilities of this And (waxing warmer)
Il should hold myself, recreant, (rasing bis voice y
cowardly aud contempbly, (steam up , to degree
utterly and contnently beneath the character Of u
heep stealing boy, If did not put it down y
- Give it to em Judge! Go in ole fire-hyt" is the
chorus. m ,Aaz @@ ss@ III
And' continued the Judge wipiag the persnira.