Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1859-10-05
FORENSIC ANEcDorE.


The following anecdote was received many
years ago, from a venerable kentuckian. whose
locks were then whtened with the froSts OF
many winters. He was personal acquaintance
of the gallant hero, and an actor in some of
the stirring scenes of the early times in that
settlement.
There lived near Lexington a very poor wild
ow, who, by dint of rigid economy. amassed
enough to purchase several pigs, which she
put into pen to fatten for the support of her.
self and numerous family. When her pigs
were grown and fattened, one of her neigh
bors, upon a slight claim or pretence, went to
the old lady's sly, deliberately razed it, drove
her hogs off, slaughtered and snugly deposited
them in his own tub. The poor woman remon-
strated, but in vain, and not being able to in
cur the expense of a legal prosecution, she
was left without remedy.
On quite a pleasant afternoon in November,
a man dressed in blanket coat and ieggings,
with a rife, called at the humble dwelling, and
asked for drink of water. She furnished
him with gourd, which, if it could not boast
of splendor, did of cleanliness. After he had
refreshed himself with draught from the
homely cup, leaning upon his rifle, he inquir-
ed where the widow lived who had been so
basely robbed, relating to the circumstance of
the theft. The maternal tear that coursed
down the injured widows cheek answered
most eloquently. ssDry up your tears, good
woman,' said the stranger, ssI have no doubt
some one will assert your rights and defend
them.'' go. nO,' said she through her tears,
ssI know of no lawyer but Harry Clay that will
undertake suit without fec, and he has gone
to Congress- The hunter still endeavored to
console her, and then, shouldering his rife,
and followed by his faithful dog, soon was lost
in the woods.
The case was duly instituted, but by proper
process was removed to distant county by the
defendant. When it was called for trial,
man in blanket coat was seen to arise and
address the court thus: ssYour hOnors, and
gentlemen of the jury, this is case of pecu-
liar characteristic case of the widow and the
orphan.' After the testimony was examined,
which was very pointed the blanket coat again
arose, and after recapitulating the evidence,
very pathetically spoke of the labor and toll a
poor widow had undergone to gain scanty
pittance for helpless family which soon "a
wakened a universal sympathy in her favor,
and caused the sturdy jurors TO drop their
heads to hide a lurking tear-and the stern
Judge, it was said, was seen to dash an unwel-
come visitor from his eye. He then comnen-
ted upon the punishment that ought to be due
to william that would rob her, and leave her
helpless babes to Starye. After this, he turned,
with most piercing and whitening look upon
the defendant, and, with mastery eloquence
held him up to the court as the very wretch
who had robbed the widow, and taken the
food from the mouths Of her orphan children.
And what aggravated the crime still more, she
was so poor that he thought he could rob her
with impunity, for no one would espouSe her
cause and protect her. ssBut, thank Heaven"
said he, 81 am permitted to be here, and she
shall have justice done her, or my name is not
10 Davies -
1t is needless to add, he gained handsome
indemnification, which the widow received
with heartfelt gratitude towards her noble
champion.
There is another anecdote in our memory
respecting this distinguished advocate, which
may as well be inserted here. A difficult ques-
tion came up for decision before the court of
Kentucky, involving an important point in re-
gard to the title of estate.
The case embraced long concatenation of
facts and sundry technical niceties. When it
was called, Kentucky hunter, with his rifle
and bird-bag, loaded with provisions, entered
the hall and took his seat among the lawyers.
There grin the faces of the court,
jury and spectators. lie ,al unconscious, took
out his provisions and began to eat with the
greatest composure. The lawyer on the part
of the plaintiff rose and made long argument.
ssAnd who answers for the defendant % in
quired the Court. 81 dO,' replied the hun
ter, and rising, broke forth into a torrent of
eloquence that astonished the court and the
jury. Away went the plaintiff, law and evil
dence and so complete was the discontinue,
that the opposite counsel made most pitiful
reply. The jury found a verdict for the de-
fendant, and when the court adjourned, invi-
ted the stranger to their lodgings. .sNo,
thank you, gentlemen, and unless you will
take a cold cut with me, / must be gone" So
saying, he shouldered his rife and departed.
Col. 10 Davies, of Kentucky, was, as these
anecdotes indicate, lawyer of great acute
ness and powerful eloquence, whose character
tinged with the eccentricities of genius.
He was brave aud chivalric in his feelings, land
having joined the American army under Gen
eral Harrison, he fell at the battle of Tippeca-
noe ere he had reached the prime of life. His
memory is yet dearly cherished in his native
State.