The Tipton advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa) 1856-1962, 1857-04-25
Col. Yell's First Court.
A FACT.

a
When Colonel Archibald Yell, after
wards killed at the battle Of Buena Vista,
had taken his seat for the first time upon
the bench, the first case on the docket
was called, and the plaintiff stood ready.
1t was a case that had been in litigation
for FIVE years General Smoot aros for
the defendant, and remarked, in an
overbearing tone: "Our witnesses are
absent, and therefore l demand that the
case be continued until next term, in
course"
'Let the affidavit be fled, for not till
then can | entertain motion for con-
tinuance, was the reply cs the Judge.
'Do you doubs my wosd ~ to the
facts, General Smoot exclaimed sharply,
and involuntarily raised his huge sword
cane.
Not at ALL" replied the Judge with
his blandest smile; "but the law requires
that the facts justifying continuance
must appear on record, and the court
has no power to annul law, nor any will
to see it annulled,'
The Judges calm and business-like
tone and manner only served to irritate
the bully, and he ret"rtcd shaking his
sword cane in the direction of the bench.
whatever may be the law, |, for one,
will not learn it from the lips of an up
start demagogue and coward!
Judge YelPs blue eys shot lightning;
but he only turned to the Clerk and said
q H.,
against General Smoot, rs | see him
named on my docket, for gross contempt
Of court; and be sure you issue an im-
mediate ex xecution.
He had hardly communicatedthe order,
when General Smoot was seen rushing
towards him brandishing his sword
all his features writhlng murderous wrath
and pallid a. a corpse. Every glance was
| fixed on the countcnance of the Judge.
for all wished to know how he would
break the coming shock of the duelist's
| fierce assault. But none, however could
detect the slightest change in his appear
ance His check grew neither red nor
white not a nerve seemed to tremble, his
calm eye, surveyed the advancing foe,
with as little 81 IN of perturbation as a
chemist insight show serutinlzing the
efFervescence of some novel mixture. He
sat perfectly still with little staff OF
painted iron IN his hand. Smoot ascend
ed the platform, and Immediately aimed
tremendous blow at the head Of his foe
At that blow five hundred hearts shud-
dered, and more than dozen voices
shrieked, all expected to see the victims
skull shivered to atoms. The general
astonishment than may be conceived,
when they beheld the little iron staff de-
scribe quick curve, as the great sword
cane flew from Smoot's fingers, and fell
with loud clatter at the distance OF
twenty feet in the hall, The batfied bully
uttered a cry of wrath wild as that Of
some wounded beast of prey, and snatch
ed his bowe-knife from its sheath, but
ere it was poised for the desperate plunge,
the little iron staff cut another curve,
and the big knife followed the sword
cane. He then hastily drew revolving
pistol, but before he had time to touch
the trigger his arm was struck powerless
by his side. And then, for the first thine,
did Judge Yell betray pcrceptible emo
tion. He stamped his foot till the plat
form shook beneath him and shouted in
trumpet tones--~"Mr. Clerk, you will
blot this ruffian's name from the roll of
attorneys, as foul disgrace to the bar.
Mr.. Sheriff, take the criminal to jail
The latter officer sprang forward to obey
the mandate, and immediatly scene of
confusion ensued which no pen can
describe The bravoes and myrmydon
friends of General Smoot gathered round
to obstruct the Sheriff while many of the
citizens lent their aid to sustain the au-
thority Of the court.
Menaces screams, aud horrid curses, tn,
ring Of lmpinging and crossing steel
alternate cries of rage, and pain, all com.
mingled with the aw ul explosion of fire.
arms, blended together vivid idea OF
Pandemonium. But throughout all he
tempestuous strife, two individuals nigh,
be observed as leaders of the wbrlwind
and riders of the storm. The new judy.
used his little iron cane with terrible
efficiency, cripling limbs, yet sparine
life.
, Bill Buffum, initiating the clcmency o.
his honored friend. disdaining the use o
either knife or pistol, actually tramplec
and crushed down all opposition, roaring
at every furious blow--''this is the way
t. preserve order iu court" sentiment
which he accompanied with wild peall
: !, OF laughter. In less than two minutes
!. the party Of the Judge trriumphed, tn
clique Of General Smoot suffered dis
!. !. astrous defeat, and the bully himself wa
borne away to prison.
Such was the debut Of Archibals
Yell in Arkansas, and from that day hi