Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1857-09-19
Col. Yell's First Court.

hen Coi. ArchiDald ell, afterwards
killed in battle at Buena Vista, had. taken
lis seat for the first time upon the Bench
the first case on docket was called, and the
plaintiff stood ready 1t was a case that
had been in litigation fer five years Gen
Smoot arose for the defendant, aud remark
ed in an overbearing tone:
''Our witnesses are absent, and therefore,
demand that the case be continued until
the next term. in course"
Let the affidavit be fled for not till then
can | entertain a motion for continuance, :"
was the reply of the judge.
''Do you doubt my words as to the fact p
exclaimed Gen. smoot, sharply, and iuvol-
unfairly raising his huge sword cane
"Not at all, y replied the Judge, with his
blandest smile, "but the law requires that
the facts justifying a continuance must APP
pear Oh record, and the court has no power
to annul law, nor any wish TO see il an
nullea "
The Judges calm ana business ike tone
and manner only served to irritate tue bul.
ly and he retorted, shaking his sword cane
in the direction of the bench.
Whatever be the law, I, for one, viii not
learn it from the lips of an upstar; dema-
gogue and coward"
Judge Yell's blue eye shot lightning, bat
he only turned to the clerk, and said
CLERK, you will enter fine Of $50 a.
gainst Gen. Smoot, as | see him named Oh
my docket, and be sure you issue an in,me-
date execution"
He had hardly communicated the order,
when Gen. Smoot was seen rushing towards
him brandishing his sword cane, all his fra.
tares- with murdereus wrath, and paid as
corpse. Every glance was fixed OH the
eountenance Of the Judge, for all wished to
know how he would break the coming Of the
duellist's fierce assault. But none, howev-
or, could detect the slightest change in his
appearance. His check grew neither red
nor white, nor did nerve seem to tremble
his calm eye surveying the advancing foe,
with as little sign o. pert raation IS chem
ist might show while sclatnizine the eaer-
voscence of some novel mixture lie sat
perfectly still with staff of Painted iron 10
his hand. Snoot assembled the platform
and imme ,iately aimed Tremendous blow at
the head of his foe. At that blow aye hun
dred hearts shuddered, and more than a
dozen voices shriekcl, all expecting to see
the victims skull shivered to atoiGs The
general astonishment may then be concoiv-
ed, when they beheld the little iron staff de-
scribe quick curve as the great sword cane
few from Slnoot's fingers, and fell with
great clatter at the distance of twenty feet
in the hall The baffled bully uttered a 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
desperate plunge, the little iron staf cut
another curve, and the bowie knife followed
the sword cane. He then hastily drew
revolving pistol, but before he had time to
touch the trigger, his arm was struck pow
erless by his side. And then, for the first
time, did Judge Yell betray perceptible
emotion. He stamped his foo. until the
trumpet tones:
"Mr. Clerk, you will blot this rulian's
name from the roll of attorneys, as foul
disgrace to the bar. Mr.. Sheriff take the
criminal to Jail"
The latter officer sprang to obey his man,
date. and Immediately scene of confusion
took place which no pen can describe. The
bravoes and myrmidon friends of Gen Smoot
gathered around to obstruot the Sheriff,
while many of the citizens lent their aid to
sustain the authority of the court. Mena-
ces, screams and horrid curses, the ring Of
impending and crossing STEEL alternate cries
of rage and pain all commingle with the
awful explosion of firearms, blended togeth-
or vivid idea of the Pandemonium But
throughout the tempestuous strife two indi-
viduals might be observed as leaders of the
whirlwind and riders of the storm The
new Judge used his little iron cane with ter
rible efficiency. cripplng limbs, yet sparing
life. Bill Buifum, initiating the clemeney
of his honored friend dislaining the use of
either knife or pistol, heroically trampled
and crushed down all opposition, roaring at
every furious blow, This is the way to pre-
serve order in court" sentiment which he
accompanied with wild peals of laughter -
In less than two minutes the party of the
Judge triumphed, and the clique of Gen.
Smoot suffered disastrous defeat, and the
bully himself was borne away to prison.
Such was the debut Of Archibald Yell in
Arkansas; and from that day his popularity
as man, as hero, and as politician,
went on rapidly increasing, till eclipsing the
oldest and most powerful names. II set on
the bloody eve of Buena Vista.
~