Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1871-09-26


tire from The active duties OF profession
al life. He hoped to leave with unfair.
nished honor, and continue to retain the
esteem of his professional brethren,
which had been SO ilattcringly bestowed
upon him on this occasion. Mr.. l..
| said he haitnot forgotten the Kindness of
the people OF Oxford County, who sup
ported him so cordially, over thirty years
ago, when he was elected to Congress.
He took his seat amidst the applause of
the company.
Mr.. Black then proposed continuing
the social exercises, and called up Gov.
Perham, who responded by expressing
the pleasure he had experienced on the
occasion. Though not n member of the
Bar, he felt under great obligation TO the
members of the profession for their uni.
form courtesy towards him while serving
as Clerk OF Courts in this County
| Hon. Elijah L. Hamlin, of Bangor, a
native OF this county. was then called up,
and being in Il humorous vein, he enter
tanned the company at length with early
reminiscenceS-some of which. being oil 4
humorous and mirth. provoking oh aracter,
caused great merrimcnt and applause
Mr.. II. remembered the courts in 1905.
when u boy, before the Court House was
built, and the courts were held in the
old meeting house, where The Baptist
house now stood. Everything was in n
primitive state then. Some rude benches
and seats were rugged up for the court.
and irec-and easy time was had in
court. There was not always the best OF
order, somebody frequently speaking out
in meeting, and carrying on business
more like town meeting. The Judges
were pot lawyers, and sometimes queer
decisions were rendered. There was
considerable pomp, however, in the or
ganization OF the court. \ procession
was formed, headed by the Sheriff and
his deputies, with the Court and Bar, fol.
lowed By all the Justices Of tho Peace in
the county. and they marched by the
drum beat 70 the court The court was
also opened ut the dunn beat. The JUS
! tees of the Peace were sometimes big.
ger and made more imposing appear
ancc than all the rest He remembered
the awe inspired in his breast. by Justice
PompiIy and others. They seemed To
come 10 court to pick up what iniorma
ton about law they could 1t was re-
lated OF Ponpilly, that he would never
wear a shirt 10 bed, prclerring a state oil
actual nudity. for tue reason that man
would wear out his shirt more 10y sleep
ing in it 10y night than by day use. Court
week was noted in those days Tor the
gathering OF all the stud horses in the
county, and thcrc WAS racing OF horses
up and down street and other queer per-
lormauccs all through court On one oc-
casion, lawyer Bradley got the court to
adjourn to witness the fun. Judge Mel
len was not horse man, and the first
court he held he broke up the horse Lusi
ness. Said the Judge. during court,
when the horses we're neighing and snort
ing around tho court door. "Mr. officer,
20 out and tell those horse men it they
don't leave and cease disturbing the court
III have them brought in and fined Tor
nuisance. Clear them MI ont" said the
Judge. with Indignation. and this put Il
stop to it.
IL was customary Tor the minister, who
opened the Court with prayer, TO dine
with the Judge; and all the lest oil the
people had to wait till they had paltaken
of THEN refreshments OF liquor, before
they could be served Court week was
great occasion; everybody came to
Court; all the pensioners and soldiers in
the County were sure to be on hand-be.
sides politicians, horse. jockeys, and small
and big characters OF every kind.
Mr.. Hamlin was animated with the
glow of youthful fire, as he related these
amusing incidents OF nearly seventy years
ago. He closed amidst uproarious shouts
of laughter and applause.
Gen. Perry was called up. He respond
ell in his usual animated style. referring
to his connection with the Bar, and pay
ing a uibute to his associates tor fidelity
| to their clients, and iaithlulness in bust
ness. He alluded - MIR. Littleield in
highly complimentary terms, stating that
in consulting him. professionally, in his
earlier days, he was always received
cautiously. The Gen. referred To one
incident in their political life, after they
differed in politics, when Mr.. Littlelielh
was the democratic candidate for Speak
er OF the House OF Representatives. and
he the republican candidate for Clerk.
Mr.. Littleiield assured him that a differ.
ence in their political views should not
affect the friendly relations existing be-
tween them. He had always honored
HIM for that remark.
Maj. d. X. Hastings responded briefly
to Il call, as he desired 10 attest TO the
honorable record in the prolessio which
AIR. Little6eld had won They had been
often brought together, in professional
life; and whenever his own eXcitable
temperament had led him to over step
the rulea of professional courtesy, his
brother had always controlled himself
and re Trained from rctorting in the same