Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1865-01-27
The Volunteer Counsel.
A TALE or TEXAS.

John Taylor, was licensed when yout
or twenty-one, TO practice at the bar @
Philadelphia. He was poor, but we
educated, and possessed extraordinar
genius. The graces Of his person, com
bined with the superiority Of bis intellect
enabled him to win the hand of a fashion
able beauty. Twelve months later, he
husband was employed by wealthy firm
of the city TO 90 on mission as lan'
agent to the west.
As heavy saiary was offered, TIA, lo
bade farewell TO his wife and infant son
He wrote back every week, but received
not line in answer. Six months elapsed
when the husband received letter from
his employer which explained all Short.
ly after his departure for the west, the
wife and her father moved to Mississippi.
There she Immediately obtained divorce
by an act of the Legislature, married
again forthwith, and, to complete the eli
max of craeliy and wrong, had the name
of Taylor's son changed to Mark-that
| OF her second matrimonial partner. This
perfdy nearly drove Taylor insane. His
career, from that period, became eccen-
trio in the last degree sometimes he
preached, sometimes he plead at the bar :.
until, at last, fever carried him off at
comparatively early age.
At an early hour, the 9th of April.
l840, the court house in ClarksvilIe,
Texas, was crowded TO overdowine
Save in the war times past, there had
never been witnessed such a gathering
in Red River county, while the strong
feeling apparent on every flushed face
throughout the assembly, betokened some
great occasion. A concise narrative OF
the facts will sufficiently explain the
matter.
About the close ofl839, George Hop
kins, one Of the wealthiest planters and |
most influential men of Northern Texas.
offered gross insult to Mary Ellison, the
young and beartiful wife of the chief
overseer. The husband threatened to
chastise him for the outrage, whereupon
Hopkins loaded bis gun, went to Eilison's
house and shot him in bis own door,
The murderer was arrested, and failed to
answer the charge. The occasion pro-
iuced intense excitement, and Hopkins,
IN order 10 turn the tide of popular opin-
ion, or at least to mitigate the general
wrath, which at first was violent against
him, circulated reports UNANIMOUSLY pre- I
udicis to the woman, who had already
suffered such cruel wrong at bis hands. 2
She brought her suit for slander. And c
hns two cases-one criminal and the 5
'ther civil-and both out of the same a
ragedy, were pending in the April Cir a
uit Court for 1910.
The interest naturally felt by the com. d
nunty as to the issue, became far deep b
r when it was known that Ashley and "
'ike of Arkansas, and the celebrated S. d
J. Prentiss, Of New Orleans, each with ;,
normous fees, were retained by Hopkins ST
,r his defence. b.
The trial on the indictment for murder Al
nded on the 8ih of April, with the ac- 81
initial of Hopkins. Such results might
ave been foreseen by comparing the tai h,
ats of the counsel engaged on either ri
de. The Texas lawyers we're utterly St
by the arguments and e!o- h,
lence oftheir opponents. 1t was fight W
dwarfs against giants.
The slander suit was set for the 9th Dir
I'd tne throug Of spectators grew in gr
amber as well as excitement. and what
ay seem strange the current of public ra
nIlment now ran decidedly for Hop W.
MS. His money had procured periured fol
Illnesses, who served his powerful advo hi
tie most efficiently. Indeed SO trium. a
lant had been his success Of the previ- M
IS day, that when the SANDER case was vo
NJ
lied, Mary Ellison was left without an sw
torney-they had all withdrawn. The as
gmy pettifoggers dare not brave again tn,
sharp wit of Pike, and the scatbins inc
under of Prentiss. wi
"Have you no counsel ?" inquired cit
dge Mills, looking kindly at The plain of
tou
mo, SIR; /; they have all deserted me. bei
am too poor to employ any more" log
'Iied the beautiful Mary bursting into on.
rs cor
In such a case, will not some chiyal-
IS member OF the profession volunteer" the
ed the Judge glancing around the of
: kin
The thirty lawyers were as silent as dia
Ith. Eg,
Judge Mills repeated the question. like
L VIII, your honor" said a voice from in /