Weekly Trinity journal., 1877-06-02
OLD TIME ANECDOTES.

w nen FREMONT OtSuulhtu tuo NUiltuT-
mia Battalion, he found himself short of
horses, and in order TO mount his men
he levied on all animals he could find in
the country. These were taken South
during operations in that section of the
country, and most of them were left there
on the cessation of hostlities. Frequent
ly, during the next few years, parties
from the lower country would visit San
Jose, riding or driving one of these ami
mails. He would be seen by the former
owner of the horse who would immediate
~ commence suit for the recovery of the
property. In this way it came about
that the greatest portion of the litigation
in the lower courts, was made up of what
were called "horse cases."
1t happened along about 1880, that II
man made his appearance near Alviso,
riding jackass which one of the residents
of that neighborhood thought he recog
nized as belonging to him. He demand
ed the animal saying that it was his prop
erty and had been taken from his place,
by Fremont's men, a couple of years pre-
vously. The stranger refused to deliver
possession of the jack and lawsuit en-
sued. The plaintiff employed, for his
counsel, an attorney named Sanford, who
claimed to have boen Attorney Gen
eral of the State of Georgia. He was
lame and deaf, but very glib talker'
The defendant secured the professional
services OF c. II. Ryland from MIS-
soari, and his opinion as to the value of
Jackasses was formed ON n Missouri basis.
/ lie knew that these animals in Missouri,
/ kentucky and other Western States,
sometimes commanded almost fabulous
prices for breeding purposes. He con-
cluded, without seeing the animal that
the jack in controversy was a very valua
| BILE piece of property and be studied up
the case very carefully, bestowing much
labor upon every point that might be
raised in the controversy. In his own
mind, ne Fixed his fee in advance, at $3.50
and he had no doubt that this sum would
be cheerlully pald in case he was success
ful. The examination of witnesses occu-
pied nearly two days and then came the
argument. Sanford, or, as he was nick
named, the "Attorney General of the
State Of Georgia" opened and Mr. Ry-
land followed As soon as he had closed
his argument Mr.. Ryland, wearied by
his labor IN the case left the room. The
Justice decided the case in his favor and
the animal was turned over to the de-
fcndant. As Ryland was walking along
the street toward his office he heard his
name called and, on looking round saw
his client Fastening toward him with one
end OF rope in his hand, the other being
attached to n sctawny, lame donkey
about the size of small New Found
land dog. "Well," says the client,
"we've beat 'en." "lIave we ?" says
Ryand, "that's good" "You managed
that case right up to the handle," said
the client, ''now, what do ! owe you ?''
Ryland took look at the donkey and his
$3.50 fee commenced to grow small by
, degrees and beautifully less until it near
ly vanished at last he responded. 81
, reckon III charge you about two ounces
for my work." "That's cheap enough, y
replied the client, 'but | haven't got any
money now. This 'ere jacks worth one
ounce; you take him and III pay you the
ofhar ,vhon | oat & - So savine, he
placed the rope in Ryland's hands and
withdrew, leaving the lawyer, with All
arInful Of law books in one arm. and lead
ing n lame donkey (his fee) with the other
hand, Quite crowd had been attracted
to the spot and Ryland found himself the
central figure in tableau worthy the
pencil OF llogarth. Sun lose Pioneer.
A RI AVE- (. 4 MUI IN iharlnu Iianan