Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1876-03-30
The Eccantricities Of Genius.

The man, Chase, had been arraign-
ed in the presence of his honor, Judge
Cothren charged with murder. The
jury was empanelled, The Prescott
ing Attorney briefly stated the case.
No witness had been sworn. 1t was
in the morning. "Gentlemen of the
iury," said his honor, "You have
heard (hic) what the (hic) Distr (h)ict
Attorney has to say. Now, gentle
men, you (hic) may retire to your
(hic) room, and remain their till you
(hic) consider what your verd(h)ic
ill be when you (hic) hear the
evidence. Sheriff 'scharge the Chico
court" The jury retired and tie
court was discharged till after din
ner.
His honor's evidences of genins are
not confined to the bench. He had
been i'll some time ago, and was re-
covering, but told his friends he was
determined To die anyhow. He in
vited his friends to be present to wit
ness the translation OF his spirit to the
better land. Five minutes past one
o'clock was tie precise time Numer-
ono friends surrounded him at the
appointed time. They waited impa-
tiently. At one o'clock there was
reat suspense, yet the Judge kept the
guests interested and entertained.
The minutes seemed hours but he re-
solved to 90 at the exact momen'.
The minute hand pointed to four
minutes past one, and he sat IN his
easy chair patient as an August sun
beam, while friends held their
breaths. The last minute past and
still he Eat. All were still as statues
and gazed at the clock for one-half
minute. At that instant the silence
was broken by the Judge, who jump
ed forward, vehemently struck his
fist upon the table and exclaimed,
"By Cd l won't go !" The
friendly visitors went home relieved.
Some years ago when attending
court at Richland Center he became
interested in spritualism. He de-
clared that he had frequent messages
from the Lord. He and Mr.. Frost
were going home together and this
gentleman drove around and invited
the Judge to his seat in the buggy.
"No," said he. give received a
command from the Lord that | must
walk to Lone Rock. / am to walk
the whole distance by placing the
heel of one foot against the toe of the
other at each step. / cannot go with
YOU" Mr.. Frost exhausted his pow
ers of discussion without success. He
said he was bound to obey the Lords
command. The distance is Is or 90
miles. Mr.. Frost drove on and lett
him, but when he supposed the
Judge would be sick of the undertak-
inc he drove back until they met, and
aoain invited him to ride. No, sir;
Won can't swerve me from my duty to
the Lord. I'm going to walk it out
on this line if it takes all summer. =
Frost drove back TO "The Center"
and had further consultation with the
spirits. Then he followed the Judge
again and together they consulted the
spirits on the road. But the Judge
said he could not ride. The Lord
said he should walk and measure that
road with his boots and he was going
10 10 it. Frost gave up, and drove
on without him. We have never
heard what the distance in feet is
hetgeeh the two points, nor whether
the spirits ever rewarded him for the
measurement. Those who delight IN
the eccentricity Of genius of this order
will vote for him and give HIM the
Judgeship for his reward.