Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1880-07-29
A Reminiscence of Early Cali
forllia DAYS.

a Renlnlscence OF Early Call
for1ia Days.
Away back in 1852 there was
a dispute over a placer mine in
Yuba river, at Park Bar, in CALI
ifornia. Stephen j. Field was
retained. Suit was brought be-
fore a Justice of the Peace for
an alleged forcible entry and de-
tainer, a form of action in vogue
for the recovery of mining
claims, because the title to the
land was vested in the United
States. 1t was prosecuted sole
ly as a possessory action. The
constable who summoned the
jury had received 5000 to sun
mon parties named by the other
side. This fact was ascertain
led beyond controversy by eyi-,
dence placed in the hands Of
Mr.. Field. While in bed at
Park Bar he overheard CONVEX
sation between juror and one
Of the opposite partiesin an adj
joining tent. The juror assured
! the party that everything. was
fixed, and that the jury had a.
greed to render a verdict in his
favor. n
The trial was held in a saloon
crowded with spectators, most
of whom were favorable to the
other side. In summing up MIR.
Field addressed the jury for three
hours. lie showed conclusiyely
that his client was entitled to a
favorable verdict. 4ss
"Gentlemen," said he in clos
ing his argument, 'sWe have not
endeaYored confluence your Yir-
diet, except by the evidences.
We have neither approached you
secretly nor sought to control
You. We have relied solely up
on the law and the evidence to
maintain our right to this prop
erty. But our opponents have
not thus acted. They were not
satisfied to allow you to weigh
the evidence. They have en-
deayored to corrupt your minds
and peryert your Judgment.
With uplilted hands you declar-
ed by the everything God that
you would return a verdict &C
cording to law. Will You perjure
| your souls? l know that you
| (pointing to jAror) have been
approached. Did you spurn the
wretch that made the proposal,
or did you hold secret counsel
with him? l know that you
| (pointing to another juror talk
ed over this case last night, for
| overheard the, conversation, the
promises, and your pleage. Cam
vas; houses. are as one here.
Words uttered in one are voices
in, ALL You did not dream that
You. were heard, but | was there,
and / know the details of the
foul bargain Inn .r
| At this an ominous 'click,
click, click was heard. y
score of pistols were cooked.
"There is no terror in your
pistols, gentlemen" continued
Mr.. Field, in a thrilling tone.
"You cannot win your case by
shooting me. You can win it
only by showing title to the
property. You can never win
Iit by bribery Or threats of VIC
lence. / openly charge attempt
ed bribery. If it is untrue, let
the jurors speak from their
seats. attempted bribery, !
say, whether Successful or not,
| will depend upon what may oc-
cur hereafter. Jurors, you have
/ invoked the vengeance Of Heav-
en- upon yonr souls IF you fail to
render a verdict according to
the evidence. y If yon'are willing
to sell your souls, decide against
u.s." ~
The address was effectual.
After an absenceiof a few min
utes the jury returned a verdict
in favor Of Mr.. Fields client.
Some admitted that they had
been corruptly approached, but
added that they were not so base
as to be influenced in that way.
Within two weeks the owners
took from the placer over $50
900 in gold dust. ~ 9 ''-'
| s,I -Al.l4--- ----L-- ------1-i
Principal, drawing ont his
watch TO an unpunctuai clerk !:
"Mr. Johnson, it's already half
past nine" Clerk, drawing out
| his watch and looking at it: