The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1859-09-30
VOLUME 1, NO ~.
Sketches of western Life.
COL. ARCHIBALD YELL, OF ARKANSAS.

iHaIkeu III an OVerOearlng tone:
"Our witnesses are absent and therefore
| demand that the case be continued until
the next term in course
Let the proper affidavit be filed, for not
till then can | entirtain the motion for a
continuance" mildly replied the Judge.
DO you doubt my words as to facts 2"
Gen. Smoot exclaimed sharply and involun-
tarily raising his huge sword cane.
Not at ALL" replied the Judge with one
of his blandest smiles; "but the law re
quires that the facts justifying continuance
must appear on record, and the court has
no power to annul the law, nor any will to
see it annulled''
The Judges calm and business like tone
and manner only served to irritate the bull
Iy, shaking his prodigious sword cane in
the direction of the bench
Whatever may be the law, l, for one,
will not learn the principles from the lips
of an upstart, demagogue ard coward p
Judge 4el's blue eyes shot fire, but he
only turned to the clerk, and said quietly 4:
Mr.. Clerk, you will enter fine against
Gen. Smoot, as | see him named on my
docket, for gross contempt of court and
be sure you issue an immediate execution"
lie had scarcely enunciated the order,
when Gen. Smoot was seen rushing towards
him, brandishing his sword cane, all his
features writhing with murderous wrath
and pallid as corpse.
Every glance was fixed on the counte-
nance of the Judge, for all wished to know
how he would brook the coming assault.
But none, however could detect the slight
est change in his appearance. His cheek
grew neither red nor white-nOt a nerve
seemed to tremble. His calrr ewes survey
ed the advancing foe with as little sign of
purtubation as chemist night show when
scrutinizing some novel mixture. lie sat
perfectly still with that slight staff of iron
in his hand.
Smoot ascended the platform. and i'm
mediately aimed tremendous blow with
his enormous sword cane full in the face
of the Judge. AT that blow five hundred
hearts shuddered, and more than a dozen
voices shrieked, for all expected to see the
victims head shivered to atoms. The gen
eral astonishment may then be conceived,
when they beheld the little iron staff des-
cribed curve, as the great sword cane
flew from Smoot's fingers, and fell with a
loud clatter at the distance of twenty feet
in the hall p, The baffied bully uttered a
cry Of wrath, wild as that of some beast of
prey, as he quickly snatched his bowie knife
from its sheath but ere be poised for the
desperate plunge, the iron staff cut anoth-
er curve, and the big knife followed the
swordcane. He then hastily drew re
volving pistol, but before he had time to
touch the trigger, his arm was stricken
down powerless by his side.
And then for the first time did Judge
Yell betray any perceptible emotion. He
stamped his foot till the platform shook
beneath it and then shouted in trumpet
tones:
Mr.. Clark you will blot out this ruff
fans name as foul disgrace to the roll of
attorneys. Mr.. Sheriff take the criminal
to Jail.
The latter officer sprang to obey the
and Immediately scene of con-
fusion ensued that no pen could describe
The bravos and myrmidon friends of Gen.
Smoot gathered around to obstruct the
sheriff, while many of the citizens lent their
opportune aid to sustain the authority of
he court. Menaces, screams and curses
he ring of impinging and dressing steel,
md alternate cries of rage and pain, all
with the awful explosion of
ire arms blended together, vivid idea of |
Pandemonium.
But throughout all the tempestuous
strife two individuals might be observed as
callers in the whirlwind and riders in the |
storm.
The Judge used his little cane with ter
'ible efficiency gripping limbs yet sparing
ife; while "Good natured Bill Buffum"
the clemency of his honorable
riend, and disdaining to use either knife |
'r pistol, actually trampled and crushed
lown all opposition, roaring at every fnri-
,us blow "thls is the way to preserve Or
Ter in court"-a sentiment which he ac
with peals of wild laughter In
ess than two minutes the party of the
Iudge triumphed, the clique of Gen Smoot
uffered disastrous defeat, and the bully
himself was born away to prison.
Such WAS the debut of Archibald Yell. |
n Arkansas; and from that day his popu
arity as man, rs Judge, as a hero, and
politician went on rapidly and brilliantly
Increasing, till it eclipsed all the oldest and
most powerful names. Within the first
,ear of his emigration he became candi
late for the Governors Chair, and not
the bitterest opposition, he
vas elected by nine -tenths of the number
If votes polled.
At the end Of his term he canvassed for
Congress, and again swept the State like
hurricane. He continued to serve with
success in the supreme councils of the ma
Jon until the period Of the war of Mexico.
he then resigned, hurried home to Arkan-
las, and raised regiment of volunteer cav
llry, with which he made all possible dis
patch for the scene Of action.
The writer of the present sketch saw him
on his line of march to coalesce with the
army Of occupation, and never will he for
get the evening passed by the light of his
nospitahIe camp on Red River, within the
limits Of leIss The rrophecy Of his fare,