New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-02-09
EARLY OREGON "REMINISCENCES
A Five Dollar Capitalist.

fully as interesting as 'tluSn Times IN
Alabama" by Judge Joe Baldwin, or
'Scenes in the South and West by Colonel
Smith. The following "reminiscences of the
early days of Oregon City was related a
few days ago by we'll known citizen:
In those days there were no dr0nes in Or
egon; every man worked, and by his labor
helped to build up the country and make ii
what it is to-day. At that time there re-
sided in the town of Oregon City a young
carpenter of more than ordinary good sense,
and although his education was limited, he
was ambitious, and tried to improve him
self, and consulted a gentleman who
| he should pursue. The Squire had num-
| Der of law books, and was regarded in Ore
| gon as one of the smartest men IN the
| world. When the young man asked his al
! wise as to what books he should read, the
| Squire unhesitatingly replied
Read law, my boy, read Law. All great
men are lawyers
| ..Do you think I've got the right KIND OF
head for law, Squire asked the young
carpenter.
| just the one: You read law, and I'll bet
ANYTHING that you'll either come out Judge
of the Supreme Court or Senator OF, the
United States was the reply.
| The answer or something else. settled the
| matter, and the carpenter borrowed copy
| of blackstone, and commenced studying
during odd hours, when he was not showing
his lack plane. The Latin terms rather puz-
| zled the Young man, and he finally wrote
| down a few Of them, among which were:
Versus, nunc pro tune, onGs probandl, IN
re-. in rem: and submitted them to the
| Squire and asked what they meant.
Them words sort OF got me: can't find
| them in the dictionary, and | would just
| like to know what they mean
The question was puzzler to the Squire,
who for the life of him could not answer
but it would never do to display, ignorance
| in the presence OF his pupil. so he rubbed
| his face and forehead with a cotton ban
| dana, and scratched his head behind the
right ear with the point OF goose quill,
and with an austere manner said:
''Thems Latin; you'll find good many
of them in the law books, but they are all
trash. and when Oregon gets to be State
we'll expel them from the law books here
| so it amt any use for you to bother your
head about them.
The Young carpenter c0mprehended the
situation at glance, but was too diplomatic
to show it, either by word or action, but the
Squire fell degree or two in his estima-
| ton He felt that IT was necessary tor him
| to know something about Latin, so he sent
to St Louis for some books, aud received
them after waiting couple OF years. He
completed his studies. and was finally ad-
mitted to the bar.
Though in those days there were no
drones, there was no money in the country,
and all trade and traffic was carried on by
means of orders on those who owned the
trading posts A man who could show a
half dozen silver half dollars was regarded
as a man of money, and his opinion de-
ferred to.
There was. and had been for several
months, loating about Oregon City, fellow
known by the name OF Sailor Jack, who
wouldn't work. He was regarded as a
nuisance by the community, and one day
found himself in custoday, charged with
being vagrant. He was taken before JUS
tice Moore for trial, and asked permission
to send for the young lawyer. messenger
was dispatched for the carpenter, who was
found at work building a house near the
courthouse. Upon learning what was de-
sired, be took off his apron, put on his coat,
and soon presented himself to the court.
Jack. you have sent for me to defend
you. Have you any money asked the at
torney, when he had drawn him aside for
the purpose of consultation.
Mary red. yer honor: | ha:u't seed
piece of silver for many day
Then how do you expect me 20 defend
you
Well. yer see, yer honor. owns first
CLASS UOSS anu cI Nc Let LIE OuC VI Inc
clutches of that ar law shark. why, I'll give
you that ar boss
That, business. and III do what | can
to get you off; but I'm afraid you'll have to
go up. because you are lazy fellow and
haven't worked a particle since you came
into the cOuntry.'
1t was the young attorneys first effort.
and he felt pride IN making an impression
on his fellow citizens anu nelghbors by win
I, l, HE
work. Suddenly an idea entered his head.
He had some ten or a dozen half dollars at
home, which he had brought with him from
the States. If he could place these pieces
of American coin in the hands OF Jack. and
have him exhibit them at the court at the
proper moment, he felt confident he would
obtain a favorable Judgment. He accord
ingly went home. got ont his silver half
dollars, and handing them to Jack, in
structed him how to act, and then an
ncunced himself ready for trial.
The testimony was clear and positive,
and not a doubt of the guilt OF the prisoner
existed in the mind Of any one in the court
room.
The Young counsel, after testimony had
been closed, rose and made a rOu5ing speech,
dwelling particularly upon the dangers OF
the sea, and the hardships Of these who fol
lowed it for livelihood and closed with
The prisoner at the bar belongs to this
noble class of men who goes down to sea in
great ships: he is Injured to the hardships of
the sea- and, like all true sailors, likes to en-
JOY his leisure when on shore. Now, ven
ture to say that he can show the fruits of
many days toll before the mast and
there is not court in the land that will
send a man to Jail for enjoying his ocotm and
aigotaf'r.'
fI,a al MIN ho ,ly,I-
ration ft0m his brow, his honor leaned for
ward an | asked:
Jack. have you any means o! support
50 Is these ere visible means OF support -
replied Jack, as he pulled from his pocket
the coin handed him by his attorney.
The court and spectators gazed i'll wonder
at the money for moment er two, and then
his honor said:
"Gentlemen we have made;l serious mis-
take in alresting this honorable man.
Why, he is capitalist: and | venture to
say there is not another man in Oregon City
that can show as much money And to the
prisoner: 81. hope you will excuse us for
the trouble we have put you 10. You are
discharged from custody"
Tue crowd gathered around the attorney
and congratulated him on his brilliant
speech, and the success that had attended
1t, and he, feeling pretty good over the re-
take drink of cider. They all went, and
half an hour was spent in drinking and
laughing, and then the young lawyer
thought he had better look after his client.
On inquiry he was informed that as soon as
the trial was over the sailor had mounted
his horse and rode away
The deuce you say Why, them half
dollars were mine; loaned them ito him
for effect
The counsel did become Senator, but he
never heard anything OF his client or half