Litchfield enquirer., 1878-11-28
Morris to the Rescue!
"On: Horace, Oni ~ 14~wwsa Gh0m0o

I One of the most amusing trials of recent times came of in the Superior Court on We'd nesday last. s. Morris Ensign, of Morris, was prosecuted for rescuing COW from Hay ward Cowles. The Justice found him guilty, and he appealed to the Superior Court. A number of witnesses were examined and the ludicrous features of the case were admirably presented by counsel to the jury The facts are briefly these:
 Mir. Ensign, who was formerly teacher of a large boys school at Morris Center, is an old offender in the matter of allowing his cattle free range of the highways. Some months since he had taken up Cowles' cattle, and the latter accepted the office of hayward with the special intention of enforcing the law on En- sgn. On the morning of the eventful day mentioned in the indictment, Cowles lay in wait for Ensign, watching his proceedings in ambush from the opposite side of the street After milking his two cows, the latter went into the house with the milk, one of the ani- mals going into his field adjoining, while the other strayed into the street. Cowles then came out of hiding and tried to drive her of to the pound. From this point the testimony is somewhat conflicting. The hayward's story is that Ensign, knowing that the COW taken was very wild, jumped on his horse turned his other COW into the street, expecting the wilder COW would follow her, and, by dint of hard driving, distanced the hayward, and made both of the cows leap the fence into his own field. The prisoner attributed his getting both the cows back into his field to good luck rather than to any profound strategy. It was con- ceded, however, that Ensign rode pretty hard and swore good deal, and that the whole performance, which was further complicated by the cavortings of sucking colt which ap- pertained to the old mare Ensign bestrode, was the most comical sight Morris has witnessed since it became town. The case was ably argued by Huntington and Kellogg in behalf of the State, and by Hollister and Kilborn for the prisoner. Dur ing his argument MT. Kilborn readthe follow ing original ''poem."
 In Morris ere the sun had rig
 Hayward Cowles started on his biz
 Dread vengeance resting his phiz, -f This Hayward acting lawfully.
 But Morris saw another sight,
 When morning sun beautiful and bright,
 Illumined yon mountain height
 With people rising rapidly
 Past milking time, COW appeared.
 With crumpled horn. while north she steered,
 Head and tail erect as if afeerd
 Of Hayward watching stealthfrlly.
 Then rushed he on with club in hand,
 And uF and down we understand,
 Chased Bossey Cow-aQ proud and grand. In great official majesty.
 With whip and colt full well arrayea
 horseman drew his battle blade,
 And furious young colty neighed =. To join the Morris cavalry.
 Now the grand procession forms below
 cavalcade like Gilpin's years ago,
 Oh, mournful sight, as we'll you know, .....s .a, This Hayward running olemnly.
 Another Hayward adds to the scrape,
 He jumps the COWS all in a hape
 Into their lot. Don't they feel chape At coming out so miserably ..- Now what shall our credit save .r
 midnight hearing will make him cave,
 Will glory n old Ensigns grave -e
 And bury him cheerfully.
 Few, few. shall be the dimes they get
 And peace shall reign in Morris yet
 You honest twelve-please don't forget,
 To quit our old friend perfectly. Further light was shed on the subject from the following impromptu ode of the Hon. flor atio Benton read to the jury by MT. Hollis