The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1879-03-06
A Goat in Court.

Quite an exciting and ludicrous
scene occurred last Wednesday in
the chancery court room. This
court is how held in the new and
elegantly finished office of the clerk
and master, in the chancery block.
His honor, Judge Seay, was on the
bench, presiding with his usual dig
nifty, while Mr.. VIM. Daniel was ar
arguing the New Providence mill
case. The back door opening into
the hall stood open, and Daniels
old billy goat, being pursued by
some naughty boys, sought refuge
III the hall, and finding the door
open, walked into court without
any ceremony whatever. 1t was
ore of the clearest cases of sur
prise that we have ever seen in the
court house. The judge was sur
prised, the attorneys were sur
prised, the deputy sheriff was sur
prised, and not to make the matter
too fine, even the goat himself was
surprised. Our worthy chairman oil
the Democratic executive committee
of the county, Mr.. Ii. G. Merritt.
believing in peace and harmony, un
dertook to gently kick his goatshil
out, but, unfortunately, closed the
door behind him, thus barring him
in more closely. Now, a goat is 8
peaceable animal, unless you crowd
on him. If you hem him up il
close quarters, he'll fight, and he'll
give you the best he has in hi,
shop every time. When a goal
gets mad he's mad all over; he's
mad at everything and everybody
Deputy Sheriff George Harris, be
lieving that goat had no "day in
court, began to apply his number
ten boot to the intruder. Naturally
enough, this raised the goats tenn
per, and taking few steps back,
with deliberate aim, he fired. Har
rls fell over a couple of chairs and
rolled under the table. The war
was declared in earnest. 1t was
Goat VersUS Court and officers.
There was a good deal of sklrmish-
ing Tor positions. Mr.. w. NJ. Dan
iel cut his argument short and
climbed up on the table, Mr. Mer
rift, a man who never was excited
in his life, said he'd put that goat
out in a jitfy. He lifted chair
above his head and was about to
strike; unfortunately, he was too
late. The goat fired another volley;
Merritt and the chair came down
with a crash and joined Harris I'M
der the table. The goat Was no
longer on the defensive. He be-
came aggressive. He had brought
the war into the enemy's country,
and he fought with desperation.
AIR. A. V. Goodpasture started for
the door. The goat came up in his
rear and landed hum on the other
side of the door in the corner,
where he stayed during the rest of
the battle. Captain Folk johnson
and Judge Lurton climbed up on
the to of the safe, wisely conclud-
ing that absence of body was bet
ter than presence of mind" In
vain did the court try to rally the
panic stricken warriors. Messrs.
Yancey, Munford and West joined
Mr.. Daniel on the table. The wild
est confusion prevailed; every avail
able place of refuge was sought and
the goat went for everything he
saw in motion. Mr.. II. G. Stacker
started for the table; the goat fol-
lowed like ball out of gun. Stack
er was hurled against the table,
which broke down, leaving five in
nucent LAWYERS to the mercy Of a
pitiIess goat By this time friend
w. H. Forbes got to the door and
started cry for help; he was too
late. The goat pulled trigger and
fired his last shot. Forbes rolled
out in the street and began to yell
fire! fire! fire! The goat walked
out with a sardonic grin which
seemed to say, Ueni, vidi, Viei. He
will be arrested to day and fined for
contempt of court GAINESVILLE