Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1875-04-08
Helena, Montana, Thursday, April 8, 1875.
An Amusing Court Incident.

An Amusing Court Incident.
The following court scene we copy from
the Missouhan. We are told that it is very
correct version Of what transpired in Virginia
City, (but not in Nevada) in 1874, and that
members of the Montana Bar and others Of
the Territory will readily place it:
The scene occurred in the circuit court in
Virginia CITY, Nevada, i'll the Year 1874.
person indicted Tor murder was Oh trial the
evidence was concluded; anu the prosecuting
| attorney, whom we VIII Call Jones, had maue
his opening speech to the jury, and was tol-
lowed by defendants attorney, whom we will
call Brown. MIR. Brown ruee and bowed
yravelv to the court and then to the jury, anu
paused--1hc silence was painful All eyes
were centered Oh Mr.. Brown when Mr.. Brown
hau collected his ideas sufficiently to proceed.
He turned to the court and salu: MAY it
please your Honor" and to the jury: land
YOU, gentlemen of the jury" Pause. Some
| one il the crowd cried out, SWELL This
| interruption was promptly checked by the
! court. and Mr. Brown was directed To pro-
| cced.
| Mr.. Brown-.'Gentlcmen Of the jury: In
the language of Senator Dooli'tle, believe
| in God, and under him l believe ii the re-
| ligion Of Jesus Christ.
! This startling declaration in q murder case
produced no little confusion in the court
room, which was promptly suppressed by
the Judge calling out, ''lIet US have quiet IN
the court; now proceed, MIR. Brown, and
! confiuc yourself strictly TO the facts in the
| case
Mr.. Brown proceeded, quoting copious]y
| from the law of Moses anu other standard
authorities on the crime of murder, and con-
| al, I.,I y n.
peal for justice. tempered with mercy, to his
client, and reatfirming his belief III God and
| the religion of Jesus Christ. At the conclu-
sion of MIR. Browns speech, the cour. took a
recess.
When court was called, Mr. Jones inmc-
diateiy proceeded to the jury. After looking
closely at the jury as il to determine in his
own mind whether the jury was with or
''forninst' him, lie said: '.May it please
your Honor, and you, gentleman Of the jury !:
MIR. Brown has told you that he believed in
God and religion. The Chinaman has his
God and his religion; the Turk has his God
and his religion; and have my God and my
religion; but my God and my religion differs
very much from Mr.. Browns
The Judge.-''Mr. Jones, you will confine
Yourself strictly to the facts in the case. Let
us have quiet in the court. Proceed, MIR.
Jones.
Mr.. Jones' -'All right, yer Honor; III
confine myself strictly tc the facts in the case
Gentlemen OF the jury-Mr. Brown told you
that be believed in God and religion. The
Chinaman has his God and his religion; the
Hottentot has his God and his religion; Brig.
ham Young has his God and his religion
and have my God and my religion; but my
God and my religion differ materially from
Mr.. Browns"
The Judge (excitcdly )-''Mr. Jones, viii
not stand this thing any longer; you must
confine yourself to the facts III the case. Lett
have quiet in the court; go On, MIR. Jones'.
Mr.. Joncs.-"Al right, yer Honor; l will
confine myself strictly to the facts in the case
Gentlemen Of the jury-Mr. Brown has tolc
YOU that he believed in God and religion; the
Chinaman has his God and his religion; the
Turk has his God and his religion; and the
African negro has his God and his religion
but my God and my religion differs very mucl
from Mr. Browns
The Judge (whOse rage was now at a white
heat )-''StOp! Stop! I'll endure this NJ
longer. Here, gentlemen Of the jury, take
these papers, retire at once, and bring in your
verdict. Mr.. Wood and Mr.. Blaine, you vii
prefer charges against Mr.. Jones for conduc
unbecoming Il lawyer and an officer OF this
court Mr.. Jones, you will appear before m(
tomorrow morning at O'Clock, to answer
to these charges. Mr.. Sheriff, adjourn court.
F As the Judge retired from the court room
Jones was heard to soiloquize thus: "What
he prefer charges against me, Samuel r
Jones, district attorney for the State OF Ne
vada he. from the Western Reserve o1
Ohio! will give him to understand that NJ
skimmilk Judge from the Western Reserve
of Ohio can prefer charges against me
Samuel p Jones district attorney: will le
,, him know that have the ear Of the court
and, if he is not very careful how he treat!
me in court, the first thing he knows he will
: find himself back in the Western Reserve
, feeding on his old diet of whey and curds."