The southern enterprise. [volume] (Greenville, S.C.) 1854-1870, 1857-07-23
Col. Yell's First Court.
FOUNDED on FACT.


killed at the battle of lSuena Vista. had TAX
en- his seat for the first time upon the bench.
the first case on the docket was called, and
The plaintiff stood ready. 1t WAS u case
that had been in litigation for five years
General Smoot arose for the defendant. and
remarked, in IN overbearing tone: Our
witnesses are absent, and therefore demand
that the case lie continued until next term,
in course"
"Let the affidavit lie filed, for not till
then can entertain motion for coun,in.
uaace," was the reply of the Judge -"
DO YOU doubt my word rs to the facts 2"
General Smoot exclaimed sharply, and in-
voluntarily raised his huge.sword cane
Not at ALL" replied the Judge with his
blandest smile; but the law requires that the
facts justifying a continuance must appear
on record, and the court had no power to
annul law, nor any vii To sec it annuIlrd"
The Judges calm and busineSs.lke tone
and manner only served to irritate the bul.
ly, and he rctorted, shaking his sword cane
in the direction Of the bench: "What may
he the law, J. for one, will not learn it from
the lips of an upstart demagogue and cow
ard !" r~
Judge YelI's blue eyes shot lightning ;
but he only turned to the Clerk and said
Clerk, you will enter fine of fif., dollars
against Gen. Snoot, as / have seen him
named on my docket for gross contempt Of
court; and be sure YOU issue an immediate
execution"
He had hardly communicated the order,
when Gen. Smoot was seen rushing towards
him, brandishing his swordcane, all his fea
tures wrlhihg murderous wrath. and pallid
as a corpse. Every glance was fixed on the
countenance of the Judge, for all wished 10
know how he would break the coming
shock of the dueiist's fierce assault. But
none, however could detect the slightest
change in his appearance. His cheek grew
| neither red nor white, nor a nerve seemed
| to tremble; his calm eve surveyed the adj.
vancing foe, with as iillle sign of pertHrba.
tion as a chemist might show scru,inizing
the etferverscence of some novel mixture lie
sat perfecIlv still. with II little staff of paint.
ed iron in his hand. Snoot assembled the
platform, and Immediately aimed tremen-
dous blow at the head Of his foe AT tina,
blow FIVE hundred hearts shudlereJ. and
more than dozen voices sh,ieked, all cx
pecting;to see the victims skull Shivered 10
!
he conceived, when they beheld the little
iron staff describe quick curve, as the
great sword cane few fom Smoot's fingers,
and fell with loud clatter at the distance
Of twenty. feet in The hall The baffleL bul.
! ly uttereda 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 the desperate plunge, the lii.
tie iron staff cut another curve, and the big
knife followed the sword cane. lie then
hastily drew revolving pistol, but before he
had time to touch the trigger his arm WAS
struck poweress by his side. And then, for
the first time, did Judge Yell betray percep,
lble emotion. He stamped his foot ill the
platform shook beneath him anI shoured in
trumpet tones" Mr.. Clerk. you will bio,
this ruffiaD's name from the roll of attor
news, as foul disgrace to the bar. Mr..
Sheriff, take the criminal to jail" The lat.
le7 officer sprang 10 obey The mandate, and
Immediately scene Of confusion ensued,
which no pen can describe. The hravoes
and myrmidon friends of Gen. Smoot gath
cred round to obstruct the Sheriff, while
many of the citizens lent their aid 20 snS-
tain the authority of the court. Menaces.
screams and horrid curses, the ring of i'm.
pingiug and crossing steel. alternate cries of
rage and pain, all commngled with the law.
ful explosion of firearms. blended together II
vivid j. lea Of Pandemonium. But through.
out all the tcmpeatuouS strife, two individu.
ais might he observed as leaders of the
whrlwind and riders Of the storm. The
new Judge used his little iron cane with ter
rible efficiency, crippling limbs, yet sparng
life Bill Buifum, initiating the clemencv
of his honored friend, dis,laining the Use OF
either knife or pistol, actually tralnpIed and
crushed down all opposition, roaring at eve.
| ~ furious blow" this is the way TO pre-.
serve order ia courI,"--a sentiment which
he accompanied with wild peals of laughter.
In less than Two minutes the party of the
Judge triumphed, the clique Of Gen. Smoot
suffered disastrous defeat, and the bully
himself borne away to prison. . 7a
Such was the debut of Archibald Yell in
Arkanas and from that day his popularity,
as a man, as Judge, as a hero, and ~ a
politician, went on rapidly increasing. iilI
eclipsing tho Oldest and most powerful
names, Il set on the bloody eve Of Buena
Vista.---Keokuk Weekly Times