The Empire County argus., 1854-12-02
The Richest Court Scene Yet.

cent term OF the orange County Court, and we lind
it reported in the .'Newburg Telegraph"
The People agSt James Ellington. District Attor-
ney for People-Prisoner in Person.
This was one of the most amusing trials ever
witnessed by bench or jury in this county. The
prisoner was indicted for assault and battery
upon man by the name of Dodder. 1t seems that
Plank Road had just been laid in the town of
Minisink, running through the lands of said bod.
der, and that Arlington is the toll -gatherer and
that the gate-house was built upon, or adjoining
the lands of Dodder. The other facts will appear
in the evidence.
The case was duly opened by the District Attor-
ney when his Honor the Judge, noticed the defen
dant sitting within the bar, with pencil in hand
ready to take down evidence, without counsel
Shave you no COUNSEL Mr. Arlington 2" inquired
the Judge.
"No Sir
"There are plenty of gentlemen around you who
would be willing to assist you"
"Well, your Honor, have feed one and engaged
another, and they both turn up missing, and there
fore have concluded to try the case myself
every well, sir"
The District Attorney, after stating the case to
the jury, called the complainant, Mr. Dodder, upon
the stand, who testified as follows
know the defendant, he is neighbor of mine.
was driving his cows off my land when he came
out upon the road and stoned me. He sent as ma
ny dozen at me, and the last one struck me
upon the back of the neck. 1t hurt me considera-
ble--not very badly, however, as the rim of my
hat hung down, and it and the coat collar preven-
ted.
"You can examine him now Mr.. Arlington, ,'said
the District Attorney.
All eyes were now turned upon the defendant
There he sat, busily engaged in taking notes, lit
tie, short red-headed, red-faced Yankee, with his
feet resting on the lower round of chair, and his
body bent back at an angle of As degrees At that
RI ha cpap ppnd hic haad honL lilo n 1odo IN ,
jack-knfe, his eyes twinkled, and in shrill loud
voice he commenced
'Have you been on good terms with the defend
ant mean me, MIR. Dodder :"
Dodder hestated.
"Come, Mr.. Dodder, have we been on good
terms 2"
~ can't say" replied Dodder.
'Well recoect that you must say"
s'Say yes or no." interposed his honor.
ayes or no." responded the defendant.
81 can't say that we speaking terms an.
swered Dodder.
"Well, Mr.. Dodder you say that I struck you
with stone--will you please state to the jury
whether it was the first stone that struck you !'
''No sir"
"Did it not go fifteen feet to the right !'
about that"
AWell was it the second 2"
4'No SIR"
'Dd not that go three feet over you head 2"
"Yes sir"
"Were you not running after my COW with a
stake sharpened at one end and did you not knock
her down and was it not because you would moi
stop that sent the other stone at you!
"Well, sir, must explain"
"None of your rigmaroles here, Mr.. Dodder. Nc
explanations, sir--Yes or no, SIR
81 can't answer"
''You must answer. Come, sir, Yes or No."
sit wasn't stake it was stick"
eyes C1/ inches ar tha hutt nd txuc1 fool
long"
mo, sir, one inch across and tapering to the
end"
"You knocked the cow down, didn't your
81 struck at her--can't say | struck her.
iDidnt she fall ?"
Cant say"
"Well Mr.. Dodder, you were chasing her, wer,
you not 2"
81 was in the road sir, and she was on the side ;
'Was it icy!'
"Yes"
"Snow deep?"
sYesn
snow will you say on your oath Mr.. Dodder tha
YOU did not strike her %
Witness hestating. 81 will not be positive"
"We, MIR. Dodder, were you not coming toward
me 2"
"Yes.sirr
"You was coming up the road and was going
down ?"
"Yes, sir.n
ssYou did not run back at all, did you ~
''No, sir"
"You are sure you did not look or 60 back, are
you 2"
Certainly | ann
"Are you as positive of that as you are of all the
rest you have sworn to-"
II am, sir"
swell, sir will you then please to inform this