Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1860-03-17
History Of a Lawsuit.


gets off some rich things in the Legis-
lature. The following is from speech
Oh bill to repeal all collection laws,
delivered by hif2, in the Assembly, on
/ the 18th:
The Speaker then proceeded to re-
view the present system Of collecting
debts. 1t was all ht'mbug and
cheat, matter Of technicalities and
legal shufiing. Lawyers gave advice
in order to obtain fee and encourage
litigation. Judges made blunlers and
mistakes. He had little experience
in law, but that little was rich.-
| Iaughter). He would give a history
Of it. The speaker then related: how
he purchased a yoke Of oxen about fif-
teen years ago paid $50 for them-a
few days after the son Of the man Of
whom he bought the oxen came to him
and said the oxen were his. lie insis-
ted on having pay ever again, AL
commenced suit. Suit was CONNER
ed before a justice. The jury dian't
agree. Finally through the Llunders
Of the Eastwood Justice Of the Peace,
the case went against him. lie ap-
pealed it to the circuit court in Mil
Waukcc. In consequence Of an agree
ment with the opposite party, which he
kept but which the other man didn't,
he reached Milwaukee just in time to
find it decided against him. His law
yer, Col. Crocker, (now presen), told
HIM he was green TO put SO much con
fidence in men. Ills experience, Col
e. said, was that the great mass OF
mankind were liars. Uaughter).-
Well, went to Jim. Holiday and said,
"Jim, I'll give you ten dollars to go and
quote Pennsylvania law at Judge Mil
Ter and get a new trial ordered"
(Great laughter). He took the SO and
performed the duty. x new trial was
granted, and the venue changed to
Walworth county. Judge Irwin was
then the judge. Any man who wanted
to gain case in his court had either
to so hunting with him and let the
Judge cluim all the game that was
shot, Or else pat his dog, Well, I pat
ted the dog. Laughtor). I fed that
dog with crackers. (IeneWed laugh
ter). The case was decided in my IA
vor. When [ heard the decision, I
thought to myself that that dog had
followed me about long enongh-I
turned round and gave him a kick;
anghter)-I'ho yelps Of the dog had
hardly subsidized when I heard the
Judge say '<1AIr. Clerk, tbs Judgment
is set aside and o new trial granted"
(great langhter), Mr.. Speaker, that kick
cost mc 5000! (convuls!re laughtcr).-
\ new trial was had, il. n Wells was
his lawyer. He Or. EImore) consent
ed to the admission ofccrtain evidence
in the case, at which Wells was offend
ed, and jumped up saying, ''d--ll
my SOUL" and walked off abandoning
the ease Caughter), Well, the jury
disagreed this time because one Of
them who was a member Of the Bap-
tist church, heard ME use profane Ian
goage one day. jLaugEiter).
About this time the State govern
ment came into operation Judge
| Wilton was selected in that circuit
and the cause came before him. The
jury again disagreed, standing eleven
in my favor to one against me. The
case was then removed to the Jeffer-
son Go. Circuit, and last winter, gen
tlemen, ] received q note from the
clerk Of that court saying, that if did
not attend to the case, it would be
stricken from the record. [ suppose
it has been by this time. I have made
no further inquiries about it. There is
the history Of one lawsuit.