Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1859-10-26
ICJPTRIGuT SECURED
CEE FTFTD COUNTT
or. "REMINISCENCES OF THE PAST.


Judge Huston presided over our courts un-
I'll 1926, when, accepting the appointment of
-.uisne Judge, he became a member OF the Su-
yIeIne Court. Prior to his appointment to
she Bench he resided in Centre county, where
and also in the adjoining counties he had an
-ztensive practice, standing side by side with
,leubers OF a bar which had aBd still main
ilains the name OF being inferior to none in
the Commonwealth. lie had the reputation of
/ bsing an Industrious, able and correct lawyer.
His success on the Common Pleas bench, and
his many sound legal opinions delivered whilst
connected with the Supreme Court, are evil
deIce that his ability was not overrated.
Whilst practicing, the trial OF ejectment5
seemed most coHgenial to his taste, and his ex-
perience in such suits placed him among the
foremost of the Real Estate lawyers in Penn
sylyania. Being interested in cause involv-
fag title to some valuable property, and which
wIs to be tried in Philadelphia he was closet
Il with his client and assistant counsel for the
week prior to court, preparing the cause. On
ihe day on which ii was supposed it would be
reached. Huston was not ready for trial. a
short time after the opening Of Court, he rode
into the neighborhood of the court house and
proceeded at once, despatched with mud and
wearing his baize leggngs, into the court
room. The cause was called and he then
claimed the indulgence of the Court until the
next day, alleging his unftness to appear in
court and his inability to proceed with the tri-
al Appearing az he did, many comments
we're made, and surprise expressed that such
H. Ha -ryl,t 1su n
gue city to try cause. The next day Huston
appeared in Court, bringing with him several
large bundles of papers. lie sat alongside of
his assistant counsel, who, during the exam.
nation of witnesses, acted as his mouth piece.
The skill displayed in trying the cause, and
the familiarity which Nj. Huston had with
land titles and the decisions affecting them:
tHncht those who sneered at the country prac-
titloaer not to judge by appearances. When
presiding here, cause was tried in which the
Judges brothers law, Potter and Burnside,
We're opposing counsel. Mr.. Potter desired
that gentleman, whose name had been call
ei, should withdraw, on the ground Of rela-
tioaship. 1t turned cut that he and one Of the
parties had married cousins. Burnside sug
-estci that it was rot sufficient reason. ''Tut
ut! Mr.. Potter,'' exclaimed tho Judge, '.you
-eatcmen and L have each married sisters, and
iod Knows there is neither love or affinity be-
-..een either of us--let the juror be sworn!''
Prior to his deccase, Judge Huston engaged
iI the preparation oc work on the land titles
f Pennsylvania. 1t was a work of years and
'aboc. Unfortunately fire destroyed the
.-.anuscript. From the Judges known capaci-
ty aud his fitness for the task, this work would
harr been d variable aid in the Investigation
Il that branch of legal knowledge. Later in
..fg he again essayed the task and produced
wylz Eno,gn as Huston's Land Titles. But it
3 : prepared after his mind had lost its pris-
tire yigor and instead Of adding, detracts
ron his we'll rnerited fame.
Of those gentlemen who composed the early
Das in the county, we have little to say: They
we're Of acknowledged ability, who have
scquired honorable regulations which live al
;crthern. Several are still reaping additional
noaors at the bar, and the judicial ermine has
not been furnished by being worn by White or
Burnside. Among them James ". Petriken
-cupied an honorable position. He was the
',ie Of the bar. Affable, sociabfe, and pos
sssSed of vein of dry humor and caricature,
you were attracted towards him and loved him
Despite yourself. With his ready pen be could
a once portray on paper the droliest pictures
Which his fancy conceived, and oft burst Of
acghter was. 70 the annoyance of the Judge