The Empire County argus., 1854-12-02

W dppTeCldue all tHe DenentS OF tn1S flanK hOdu.
1t let out to civilization class of people who
never before had the idea there was such thing
civilized life, and this Dodder is one Of hem 1t is
fact that soon after moved up there, q young wo-
man, 10 years old, cum down out of the mountains
on the Plank Road, one day, and she had never
been out before She fairly seemed surprised to see
a achie man, and otter asking few questions went
back into the woods This Dodder was my nearest
neighbor and good deal nearer than | wanted
j him, and hadn't been there long, before heard
that he had been lying about me to one OF the
Directors, and soon found out that he wanted to
get his son, who has sworn here against me, in my
place. But he hasn't done it yet and if you don't
convict me reckon he wont very soon
1t won't take long to dispose of Dodder No g.
He testifies that he saw throw three stones at
his father, and saw the ''od man dodge" On
cross-examination he says that he was in his own
house an the poods, and had to look over hill
twenty feet high, and also over three slah-fences
and two stone walls. Well if he tells the truth
all | wish is that had young Dodders eyes. He
is certainly remarkable boy and can't deny his
Jfather."
am willing to admit that done wrong to throw
stones at Dodder, and apologize to all the world
and this country particularly, for it. The Doctors
tell us that there two for all diseases pre-
disposition and excitability. I think it was the
latter cause that moved me to stone Dodder.
therefore confess myself guilty of the assault,
but the battery deny! and if you find me guilty
of the battery will appeal from the decision to
the Court of high Heaven itself before will sub
nit to it.
Now, Gentlemen you saw Mr. Dodder and heard
him swear upon me. | asked him great many
questions and was sorry to hear him answer as he
did. might have asked him more questions-I
might have asked him if he didn't kill my cat, and
if he didn't stone my chickens, because they tres
passed In his woods, where actually the rocks are
so thick that the cats can't find their way up
through them; but then knew he would deny it,
and it would grieve me to hear him. He admits
that he was driving my three COWS up the road,
and that he struck at one of 'em, but says it was
with small switch have prove that this switch
was pole, about 10 feet long and about 2 inches
across the but end and have also proved that
when he struck, the cor fell. 1t is true my witness
couldn't swear that the stick hit her, he was far
off, but take the blow and the fall together, and
can guess the rest. If you, gentlemen, should see
me point gun at man and pull the trucker: see
the flash and heard the report, and at the same
time see the man drop think you would say that
| shot him although you might not see the ball
strike him.
Now the fact is gentlemen, that on Sunday, |
was lying on my lounge in my house, when my
wife said that Dodder was chasing my COWS. I
jumped up and pulled on my boots and went out of
doors, and saw Dodder and the COWS coming up the
road. 1t is true he says he wasn't driving them,
but says he and the COWS was both going along the
road in one direction, and this was as near as |
could bring him to the or the truth; but it is
proved that the COWS were going along ahead of
him, and he was following after them, striking at
them with his little switch, 10 feet long inches
across the butt and reckon you'll think he was
"driving' them. sung out to him, 'Dodder, stop"
but he didn't obey my order, and | just threw
stone in that direct which went about Is feet over
his head at the same time going towards him. He
paid no attention, and | sung out again, ''Dodder
stop" Still he didn't mind me, and then | just
threw another stone; but on he came, and on
went and l threw the third stone, which he says
hit him in the back of the neck but which | think
is rather strange; we were going towards each
other fast as we could go. But he never Stacked
up, and by this time we were within about eight
feet of each other. | halted and followed at the
top of nv voice. "Dodder why in HI don't
you stops about then he did stop and raised his 10
foot SWITCH as if to strike me-[ sang out-"Nlr.
Dodder, look out You may wollup my COWS. but
if you wollup me with that switch, you'll wollup
an animal thatll hook I" Here the orator made
appropriate gesture of the head, in the act of
hooking, which was followed with tumultuous
shouts and laughter, that continued several min
utes
Now, gentleman if you convict me, this Court
can fine me $3.50 and jug me for six months, and if
you really think ought to be convicted of this as
sau sag So fer in favor of living up to the laws,
as long as they are laws, whether it is the Fugitive
Slave Law, the Nebraska Bill or the Excise Laws.
Twill re ad you little law however, which have
Just seen in book found here the speaker
picked up law book and read as follows EVERY
man has right to defend himself from personal
violence" Now don't know whether that is law
OF not, but find it in law book, a veteran men,
ber cf the bar who was sitting near the speaker,
remarked to him that it was good law. Well,
gentlemen, here is an old man, who looks if he
might knolU something, and he says ts good law
Now if you will turn to Barbour something, page,
399, you'll find that the doctrine is applied to
cahle--( great laughter) Therefore take it had
right to defend my cows against Dodders 10 foot
switch. Why, gentlemen nearly all my wealth is
invested in them cows and you can't wonder
that became little excited when l saw Dodder
switching them with this 10 foot pole. am a
poor mar, and have large family, consisting Of a
wife and six children, which reckon is doing very
well for so small man as am and | could not
afford to let Dodder kill my COWS!
Now, gentleman | don't believe you'll convict me,
after what have said. But if you do, and this
Court fines me $3.50, shall 'repudiate' because |
cant pay" And if I'm jugged for six months,
why these Dodders will have it their own way up
here. But Notwithstanding all this am willing to
risk myself in your hands, and if you think ought
to have stood by and not done anything, when |
saw Dodder hammerng my COWS, why then am
'gone in," toll-gate and all.
1t is true, | am a poor man, but not mean one.
The name of Arlington can be traced to the May
Flower; when she landed the pilgrims on Plymouth
Pa pHnW Alnpu