The Nevada journal., 1858-08-20


From the Historical Recollections Of the
City of Des Moines, we have the follow
ing: The first Court convened in the
State of Iowa. was held in log shanty,
and His Honor Josiah Williams" he
presided. The grand jury being EN-.
panelled, sworn and charged, were given
in custody to Lewis Wilton, bailiff, and
went out as usual to consider on such
matters and things as might perchance
be brought before their notice. Hap
PLY, crimes had been but few, and they
found nothing demanding their attention.
consequently, they brought in no "true
bills" except for their fees. They soon
returned to Court, were discharged, and
the court adjourned to the next term
jeremiah Church. one of the Jury, says
in his journal, they were an uneouth and
barbarous looking set; that he felt corr
strained te apologize to the judge for
their rough appearance; hut Mr.. Church
i does not state whether Lis habiliments
were altogether up TO the dignity of
grand jursr or not. Judge Williams jo-
cosely told him that men might have
clean hearts under dirty shirts; and that
in new country every allowance was
to be made for personal attilc and ap-
pearance. Judge Williams, afterwards
Chief Justice of the Supreme Court ef
Iowa, possessed valuable ana extensive
lie gal requirements, which his long ir'
dicial career in this State has abundant.
ly proved He was, withal, an invete-
rate joker, and never SO happy as when
he had an opportunity to give his Htirth'
full proclvities full exercise. Many
stories, illustrating his ready wit and ar.
petite for fun is related. The only pc:-
son, however, who ever beat him with
the tongue, was woman, Mary Hays
The feminine Charon of the Des Moiur,
rather checked his loquacity, wher one
day, he attempted to play off his joke
upon her. The Judge was boarding ol
the east side of the river, bridges existed
only in the imaginations of the most cii-
terprising, and, in attending court, he
crossed to and fro in skff. Sometimes
one, sometimes another, ferried him
over; but once there was no man st
hand. Miss Hays. young, ard in all
probability very good looking lady.
was washing near the river bank
MARY" said the Judge, chow am t.
get across the river 7" "Why, in skif.
| suppose" Mary quietly replied. but
there is no one to bring back the host,
and am a poor rover. Now, Mary.
really, don't you think you could take
pity on man in such a troublesome
predicanent. leave yotr interesting
work, and volunteer to roll me overl l
will pay you in any fitmber of-kisscs
you ask; sweeter and hartier ones than
you ever received in your life ''t'ef-
tainly, III take you over; but as TO kisses
Mr.. Judge, I don't want anything cf
that sort, particularly from such All old
scrub as you ''Oh! suppose ven
have had rather a surfeit of that articlr
lately. Has Jim --~' "Now
Judge, if you want to go across, just sc.
in and sit still, and be stiH!" Jhdge
Williams waited until they had got
fairly out in the current of the river
Mary piled the oars as if she hai seen.
sea-service. MARY !" "Sir" "Sur-
pose just turn this boat down stream.
carry you off, and marry you; would
it not be delightful plan? You would
just suit me, and would yon. Certain
ly, destiny always intended us For mstts.
and. | suppose. little scheming would
be excusable to gain such lovely
prize as you. Here we go now, down
he river to New Orleans, Of elsewhere"
At this, Mary's provoked spirit fairly
glittered in her eyes. With intensity
of emphasis, she exclaimed You
carry me off You marry me
would not hare such an old, dried.up
cracklin. Wouldn't marry pnu If you
were the last man ON earth, md
woman couldn't get to Heaven without
a husband; and, if you don't stop vour
nonsense: and behave yourself I'll Pitch
you head first into the river, and Won
may make as long a Voyages a< Won
tplease; but one thing is certain. you
don't take me with you % The Judge.
of course, stopped teasing her At thi..
laughing heartily at her Amazonisn
threats; and rumor does not say whether
he paid his fare in exchange in Cupid's
bank or not.