The Russellville Democrat., 1879-04-24
THE LAST HOURS OF THE
 CIRCUIT COURT.
Another Suit Projected into the Future Six Months Beyond the Bounds of Human
 Penetration.
A Birds-Eye View of the County Seat, and a Lingering Fare we'll of Court and its
 Surroundings.

At o'clock Monday evening April 7th, 1879, in pursuance to adjournment on the 9th, the Sherif7s voice had scarcely ceased tc soil..ti i'll the distance, or tire of gainboling in the pursuit of it's own reverberations through the ad- jacent glens, vales and "blinds," when silence engulfed all, and for Il moment it seemed as though the wheels of jus tice had ceased to revolve. Court had convened, and The Court seemed to be musing on the immediate past and drinking deeper the pleasures day of rest affords from the cares of a busy world. In fact it seemed as though the talisman was gone; that variety had given place to monotony, and the vigor of mems souls was consumed in reflec- ton. The reyerie being past, the suit of J. l.. Shinn vs. J. W. Tucker was announced, which occupied the remain der of the evening in determining for trial. Tuesday morning q jury was | impanneled and all the evidence taken. The case seemed very simple one | from the examination of the witnesses, and person would naturally suppose that the plaintiff would get q verdict in his favor. Col. Ford, for the plaintiff, was the first to open this memorable battle, the effects of which was seen long fter firearms ceased to roar and powder and~gas was noticeable in the air. Mir. Carter, for defendant, now appeared upon the field and fought with tenacity this battle of Ragged Edge. Scarcely had Ire retired from the field of contest when Lewis w. Davis, for plaintiff, mustered in his forces, and like brave general, was ever seen among the foremost rank. It was on this occasion that his voice rang like trumpet, and he stood pro- totype of manly vigor among the ruins of demolished law, as it fell by the power of his magnetic voice to be trod- den upon by the feet of advancing heroes. When the misty veil that had enveloped the scene was seen only in the distance where it seems as though earth and sky combine to form the neutral ground between men and angels, another column was seen to advance with quickened stride upon the fated field, and the rattle of mus ketry announced Dan. B. Granger, for defendant. It was this renowned gem tleman that threw himself with reck- less daring into the midst of twelve men and with the statute of limita- tion" at his back, bore the brunt of the battle and surprised the outworks. But there was no means by which to | follow up this step toward victory, and the occasional report of a rifle, told too plain the intention of the retiring forces. It was now that all eyes were | turned towards the field of contest, and every ear was strained to be first to catch the sl tt of victory. But it was not until the last rays of the setting sun gilded the western line of the Ragged Edge that quietness reigned supreme; that the deathkncll was heard above the clang of turmoil, and the dirge paid reverence to the departed. It was not until the lingering rays of an Aprils sun had vanished be- meath the horizon, and the sublimity of nature was perceptible in the starry decked dome of the heavens, that there was a possible chance for decision of victory. And it was not until after a slcepless night Con the part of the at torneys,) and the ushering of another day into existence that the verdict of "no decision" was rendered, and the suit thus projected into the future six months beyond the bounds of human penetration. Thus is chronicled once more to the displeasure of every voter and taxpayer of Pope county, the in- competency that exists in the average juror; and to the BURNING SHAME of those narrow-minded and selfish WILL BE citizens that voted down the school tax, disabled civilization, propagated barbarism, and thrust into the vortices of despair hundreds of orphan children whose thirst for enlightenment already scars higher than the uncouth star that holds in check the genius of many nation.
 Wednesday morning a petition was introduced by the attorneys for defend ant In the suit of Little Rock S Fort Smith R. R. ys. McCarthur & Trammel, praying His Honor to grant new trial. The petition was over-ruled.
 On the criminal docket for the term just past there were 30 suits, out of which there were six convictions, inc cluding those pleading guilty.
 Owing to your reporter having lost his notes for this weeks paper, there are several suits as well as other inter- esting matter that will not appear.
 At l2 o'clock Wednesday all business of a public nature, except that which devolved directly upon the Court, had been dispatched, and but few of the genial faces at the bar remained to mark the trace of that honorable body; their chairs were vacant, and the breeding silence spoke too plain of the