The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1877-12-26
rRloMrNrs or the EARLY HISTORY
OF OHIO COUNTY.
By II. d. TAYLOR.
CHAPTER XXXv.

Barnabas McHenry, one ol INC
Methodist preacher. that crossed the
mountains to preach the gospel IN the
then western wilJs. John was raised IN
Washington county. and studied ID"
with HE uncle, Martin D. Hardin, very
distinguished lawyer of Frankfort. de
6rst commenced the practice of la" IN
Litchfield, but having been appointed
commonwealth attorney for this district
he removed to Hartford shortly alter
Over and Pirtle settled here, and IN
short time be married Miss Hannah
Davis. of Nuhleuberg county, and be-
came q permanent citizen of Hartford Tor
more than thirty years.
Asa lawyer he soon acquired the
reputation OF an able. safe and reliable
one Although possessed OF few OF the
natural gifts of an eloquent declaimer' or
if so never practicing them, he was
close. cogent reasoner-candid IN his
manner, SEEING on the strong points
only in case, and urging ttem with
logical force, disdaining all nImsy clap
traps and weary repetition, he seldom
failed TO win the confidence of jury
and from his thorough knowledge oil
law. always had the respect and attention
OF the court
His retentiye memory was also remark
able; he never took notes of the evidence
on trial, yet never garbIed or msstated
it, or forgot or neglected to use an inn
portant fact in the argument before a
jury
Az a commonwealth attorney he
seemed to thoroughly understand hls
duty that was to see that justice was
done alike 10 the criminals as we'll as the
State. No laurels Of victory or triumph
OF success could ever tempt him to urge
the conviction of any one he really be-
lieyed to be innocent. In this way he
acquired the confidence Of jurors, and
being one of the best special pleaders at
the bar, his indictments were always
drawn with such legal precision that they
were seldom il ever demurred to success
fully. The consequence was that the
prisoners never escaped on technical
bubble, and il the evidence failed to
make out reasonable grounds of guilt
a mole prsse g,si was entered, or a verdict
of not guilty was found by the jury. but
if there was reasonable grounds of guilt
and an honest jury, verdict OF guilty
was the usual result
An incident is recollected Of trial in
which old Philip Thompson was counsel
:or the prisoner. and in the argument Of
which he had made one of his mos'
powerful efforts. which to all appearance
had a powerful effect upon the minds o.
the jury. II was his practice to prom'
enade back and forth behind the railing
which enclosed the bar, while the oppos'
ing attorney was speaking. hcHenry
was making the closing speech. Step b,
step he took the facts in favor Of thu
prisoner, admitted their full force anC
weight, but again countervailed then
with other facts. All this time Thomp
son was casting anxious glances at tb,
jury. He saw how McHenry was win
ming them over, and turning to younI
friend, he almost peevishly whispered
"D-m McHenry's candor; it is plsyinI
h-ll with that jury"
Having been reared in the best mora
and social circles, he was always awsr
Of all the amenities due society, an
. never profane or vulgar or self-conceited
he was always welcome guest in all 90
cial circles, and a boon companio
among his fellow members Of the tai
E and special favorite Of the younger mem
bers, to whom he was ever ready to len
a L,lping hand. Even Abraham Lincol
did not surpass him in anecdote; b
never heard good one but he recollecte
il. and no one could tell it with bette
Eest or more happy effect, and he neve
missed applying one when applicable !
his speeches. The writer recollects a
amusing incident that occurred at Owen
. boro. Two tsilors who worked IN I'll
!: |; same shop fell out and had a terribl
!. fight in which the goose, shears, pres
board, tongs and shovel, had all bee
used as weapons Of warfare. Phil
rrrpleit, a first rate lawyer, had bee