The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-03-21
DAVENPoRrs DEsoLArE HENRooSE
His Chickens Seized Under n Law for the
Protection of Creditors.

STAMFORD, Conn, March l9.-Between 8
and o'clock last evening Constable +. l.. Stud
well accompanied by a deputy informally APP
pointed for that campaign. drove up to the barn
on the premises with tho Arlington Cottage. in
Genbrook avenue The deputy carried lam
tern aud Stuiwel held In his hand an attach
ment. gotten out in the office Of Attorney sam
uelH. Cohen. 10y Farmer Lockwood to take pos
session OF a somewhat numerous brood Of
chickens. which were supposed to be roosting
on the premises. The purpose OF this proceed
ing was to obtain collateral security for tho pay
ment Of bill which Famer Lockwood held
against the occupant Of the Arlington Cottage
John l. Davenport Chief Supervisor Of Elec-
lions in New York The amount Of the bill is
1854 and it was thought that the value OF the
chickens. even though it should be found that tho
eternal fitness Of things had made them all ban
tnms. would be sufficient 10 wipe out the debt
and settle the costs, The bill was for hay to
feed the span OF stylish blacks that the lady Of
the cottage used 10 drive before they passed into
possession Of A. T. Hines. by virtue of n bill of
sale and for articles Of farm produce furnished
for the househod The attachment bore date
OF Tuesday March 49, 1879.
When Constable Studwell made known his err
rand. he WINS forbidden to touch n feather OF the
hundred or more chickens that had been on
their wOnted roosts since dark, and four negro
servants were called out 10 witness the acts OF
the officer, so that they might testify in the mat
ter IL Witnesses should ever be needed. The
crty OF John |. and Louisa Davenport. and tho
chief peril OF the officer was that he might take
into custody certain fowls hot belonging to the
persons named in the instrument. or that. in
his extreme anxiety 10 guard against such an
act, he should fail 70 coop the requisite number
of birds But as the document was somewhat
comprehensive In its numerical features the
officer decided, after due deliheration. that he
would follow n precedent established by another
and vastly higher uilicer. ana bag all the chick
ems he could find. irrespective Of personal or
political CONSIDERATIONS. knowing that he would
in this way be- sure 10 secure many OF the birds
he was after. and at the very most only an occa-
siQna one Of those he was not after.
Caus ne the light Of the lantern 70 be flashed
along the roosl. the Constable beheld crafty
ing continuity Of slumberng chickens. whose
nights were not made RESTLESS by any knowl-
edge that they were under the ban OF the law.
These Plymouth Rocks. said no to his dep
uty, they look as though we had "a claim on them
under this paper OF March 10. 1879 We will
The Plymouth Rocks were gathered In with
| out unnecessarily disturbing the rest OF the
| lhelr hoads from underneath their feathers,
! looked surprised, WINGED at the officer. and
| hurrioily said Quitw
Tho majesty Of the law said the officer.
! appearing not 10 notice the winks OF the birds
! demands that no distinction be- made by rea-
| son OF such considerations rs these birds hint
| at This was said in a loud tone. Then. drop
ping his voice toq low pitch: There arc only
UHd IND t"ne Id 10 c In
! the rOOst; no distinction must be allowed on
ACCOUNT OF partisan or other considerations"
| Tho rOOst was cleared. The count showed
| that ninety-two chickens had been taken into
| custody. 1t is not known how many Of these
| birds belonged to those that were not wanted.
! Perhaps none for no complaints have yet been
made by persons claiming 10 be tho rightiul
| owners Of such birds but the officer has the
! satisfaction OF knowing that he adhered to his
Judgment that it would be best not 10 turn aside
| from the work Of making captures to trihe with
| distinctions.
These ninety-two birds are liable to be held
| In custody for some time, The document is re-
| lurnAhle before Justice Ghylor on the Goth inst.
il a oh lob toll
| them Ia thoy run, nre worth illty cents apiece.
! That would make the capture worth $40 moro
| than enough 10 satisfy the judgment and pay
! costs. The percentage Of bantams Is smaller
| than Farmer Lockwood feared it would be.