San Andreas independent., 1856-11-15
The Volunteer Counsel.
A TALE OF JOHN TAYLOR.

TALE OF JOHN TAYLOR.
We copy the following from the New
York Sunday Times. The subject of it,
John Taylor, was icencesed when youth
of twenty-one to practice at the bar of
Philadelphia. He was poor, but we'll ed
ucated, and possessed extraordinary genius
The graces of his person, combined with
the superiority of his intellect, enabled
him to win the hand of fashionable
beauty. Twelve months afterwards the
husband was employed by wealthy firm
of the city to go on mission as an agent
to the west. As heavy salary was offered,
Taylor bade farewell to his wife and in
FAINT son. He wrote back every week, but
received not a line in answer Six months
elapsed when the husband received let
ter from his employers that explained ALL
Shortly after his departure for the west
the wife and her father moved to Missis-
sippi She there Immediately got di-
vorce by an act of the legislature, married
again forthwith, and to complete the eli
max of cruelty and wrong, had the name
of Taylor's son changed to Marks-that of
her second matrimonial partner This
perfdy nearly drove Taylor mad His ca
reer from that period became eccentric
in the last degree; sometimes he pleaded
at the bar, and sometimes he preached,
until at least fever carried him off at
comparatively early age. = Cleveland
Plaandealer
At an early hour on the 9th of April,
l849, the Court House in Clarksville,
Texas, was crowded to overfowing. Save
in war times past, such gathering had
never been witnessed in Red River county,
while the strong feeling apparent on every
face throughout the assembly, betokened
some great occasion. A concise narrative
of facts will sufficiently explain the matter
About the close of 1889, George Hop
kins, one of the wealthiest planters and
most influential men of Northern Texas,
offered great insult to Mary Elliston, the
young and beautiful wife of his chief
overseer The husband threatened to
chastise him for the outrage, whereupon
Hopkins loaded his gun and went to
Elliston's house and shot him in his own
door. The murderer was arrested and
bailed to answer the charge. This oc-
currence produced intense excitement; !;
and Hopkins, in order to turn the tide of
popular opinion, or at least mitigate the
general wrath, which was at first violent
against him, circulated reports infamously
prejudicial to the character of the woman
who had already suffered much wrong at
his hands. She brought her suit for SLAM
der. And thus two suits, one criminal
and the other civil, and both out of the
same tragedy, were pending in the circuit
court for 1910
The interest naturally felt by the COM
munity as to the issues, became far deeper
when it was known that Ashley and Pike,
of Arkansas, and the celebrated S. S.
Prentiss of New Orleans, each with enor-
nous fees, had been retained by Hopkins
for his defence.
The trial, on the indictment for murder,
ended on the 6th of April, with acquital
of Hopkins. Such result might have
been foreseen by comparing the talents OF
the council on either side The Texan
lawyers were utterly overwhelmed by the
argument and eloquence of their oppo-
nents. 1t was fight of dwarfs against
giants.
The slander suit was set for the 9th,
and the throng of spectators grew in num-
ber as well as In excitement; and what
may seem more strange the current of pub
lie sentiment now ran decidedly for Hop
kins. His money had procured pointed
witnesses, who served most efficiently as
powerful advocates. Indeed so trium-
phant had been the success of the pre-
vious day, that when the SANDER case was
called, Mary Elliston was left without an
attorney-they had all withdrawn. The
pigmy pettifogers dared not brave again
the sharp wit of Pike, and the scathine
thunder of Prentiss.
"Haye you no council?' inquired Judge
Mills looking kindly at the plaintiff.
"No, sir, they have all deserted me,
and | am too poor to employ any more, y
replied the beautiful Mary bursting into
tears.
"In such case will not some chival-
rous member of the profession volunteer
asked the Judge glancing around the bar.
The thirty lawyers were silent as death.
Judge Mills repeated the question.
~ will your honor" said voice from
the thickest part of the crown, situated
behind bar.
At the tone of the voice many started
half way from their seats; and perhaps
there's not heart in the immense throng
which did not beat something quicker
it was so unearthly sweet, clear, and ring
ing and mournful.
The frstsensation, however, was changed
into general laughter, when tall gaunt
special figure, that nobody present ever