The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1881-05-27
Court "Reminiscences

Mr.. Rufus Thurston, one of the
staunch old settlers of Ceresco, was in
attendance at the present term Of court
as grand juror, and informed the clerk
that he was entitled to pay for services
as Juror ut former term the clerk cx-
amined the records and found that Mr..
II. was entitled to $3.50, and also found
that his order therefor was duly drawn,
signed by ]. II. Williams, clerk, just
twenty years ago, and had remained in
the office until now. Mr.. II. received
his order and his pay from the county
treasurer and Is To be congratulated, for
if he had received the money when due
he might have spent it, and at that time
county orders were worth but Onc-half
their face.
In examining the records in this mat
ter We became somewhat interested in
the ancient records of our courts, and
have made few notes. The records
show that the first term of the United
States District Court, Third District,
Territory of Minnesota, was held at
Mankato, May 4, 1854, A. G. Chatfield,
Associate Justice Of the Supreme Court
of the Territory, presiding; BAIL More
land, Sheriff; J. Il. Adams, Clerk; W.
w. Irwin, L. ). Marshal; Charles L.
Flandrau, U. 8. District Attorney; Geo.
Maxiicld, Crier; j. j. Noah, Interprc
ter, and HOxic Rathburn, Bailitf. Among
the grand jurors called were Geo. w.
Cummings, John L. Harrison, Jacob
Guenther, Josiah Keene, Jared Lewis,
Geo. c. Clapp, G. Kron, John Hender-
son, II. j. Fuller. 4. ID. Warren, Evans
Goodrich, Geo. Van Brunt, John Schroo-
der, Philip Krummcl, q. b. Abbot and
Thos. Lamorcaux.
But two cases we're before the court,
Geo. Maxficld VS.. ii. Jackson and Jack
son vs.. Warren, both appeal cases and
both appeals were dismissed.
These courts We're held annually and
Jackson, Maxtield, Warren, Trenheiser,
Winslow, Wood, Mills, Howe, Myric,
and other old-timers figured conspicu-
Ously.
At the May term of 1856, the court
ordered an attachment against Uriah
Karmany, w. p. Coffin, P. X. johnson,
Isaac Marks, Asa White, Geo. Quiggle,
and several others to show cause why
they should not be punished for con-
tempt of court for non.attendance as
jurors.
In 1857 Chas. f. Flandrau appears as
Judge; Francis T. Bunker, Sheriff, and
Geo. w. Cummings, Clerk. At this
term John f. Tourtellotte, s. F. Barney,
Cramer Burt, Daniel Buck, Horace Aus.
tin, Chas. w. Miller and Richard w.
Warden, each made application for adj
mission to practice as attorneys, and
after public examination they were all
admitted.
In 1853 the first term of court was
held under the sovereignty of the State
Lewis Branson appeared as Judge; j
II. Williams, Clerk; X. j. Sibley,
Deputy. At this term G. X. Cleveland
j. A. Wiswell and z. Paddock were al
mitted rs attorneys.
In June, 1859, o. o. Pitcher and b
Parkc Dewey were admitted, and A. w
Bangs and Ben McGiven in 1860.
At the December term, 1860, during
the trial of suit, the celebrated Ton
Cowan was an Attorney" for contemp
Of court in using offensive language to
wards the opposing counsel was tinc'
$40, which he paid, but at the Afternoon
session both attorneys apologized to tn
court and the fine was RENTED.
At the December term, 1859, the ia
nous suit of Evans vs.. Folsom frs
made its appearance.