Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1876-02-16
LUIGI. On.
4 ~. 1.OOts Pen Picture at the U0K q
Jnass Presiding NJ Toe GREAT
Trial.
Isl. I.n,tts Dispatch, 1 en-.

Before the commencement of Tho
proceedings In the great trial, we viii
introduce a brief pen picture of thu
appearance and character of the pre-.
siding judge, the Hon. John +. Dill
Ion. Many persons have been drawn
to The court room with THO single Oh.
liect Of seeing This distinguished jurist
His name is almost Us familiar hi the
district over which he presiaes as
Zen. Grants il with the nation; moi
because he has been on the bench so
long, although he has held the high
position OF United States Circuit
Judge for some time, but beeaNse a
his kMoWlei@o OF legal lore and the
rulings which have made him almost
famous. Looking at. Judge Dillon,
as he sits upon the bench, the impress
sion Is at once gained that he il man
OF great eGdoWments, 81 strong char
acter, inhexible in the right. and of
the greatest selt-dcpendance. He is
near the meridian Of life, about FIVE
feet eight inches in height, and will
weigh near two hundred pounds, he
ing inclined toeorporosity. His com
pleXlnn Is brunette, and the full
whiskeps he wears without mustache
give him an august and digniiined
appearance.
There is not the slightest indication
Ola daminfar IN hia ennnlenaneo, hut
on the other hand there il manifest
placidity IN lis face and the look
which accords proper position 10 the
counsel who plead before him. Ilia
is the round, full face that hespeaks
sociability, temperate sympathy,
generosity and Judgment,
Whatever question arises IN conflict
between attorneys he rarely makes a
decision before giving ample cxpia-
nations therefor 10 the satisfaction oil
all parties concerned. When an OBJ
lection is raised rs to admission OF
competence Of testimony, he seems 10
have an intuitive knowledge of the
reason and therefor saves much valua-
bic time by making the statement;
which the objecting counsel other.
wise would, and giving an explana-
tory decision at the same time.
There Is this that may be said OF
Judge Dillon, and which none would
attempt TO gainsay, even in their own
mind: lie is one Of the most incnr-
rnptible, unprecedented and honest
Judges now in Office. His countenaee
will rcpcl any advances of sinister OF
designing influences; his whole mind
during trial--seems to be absorbed
by his duties, and there Is not a word
spoken in the examination of witness
es or argument of counsel that he
does not hear and fully understand.
Another strong aud commcndablc
trait in his character, which il would
be well for all judges to observe, Is
his decided opposition TO tho brow
beating Of Witnesses, and when il is
attempted before him he does not
hesitate 10 administer pointed rebuke.
lie never loses patience. nor does lie
think Of pleasure when business de-
mands his time. Oiientimes do the
attorneys request that the court Nc
adjourned, ostensibly TO make further
preparation, hut unless the necessity
Is imperative, no uniformly denies
the request, and orders the proceed
ings to continne. lie is never behind
time, but watches the hour SET for the
meeting OF the court as scrilpnlOnsly
as tho impatient spectators of the
present trial. Judge billions. place
will be difficult to supply.