The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1882-03-31
judge BuiIOck's Reminds
CeDceSs

From Columbus Beaeon.l
l have concluded to omit for this nuns
Der Of my "reminiscences description OF
any particular member OF the Bar in
Jackson Purchase, and content myself
with recalling some amusing incidents of
court proceedings.
The only lawyer l found at Mills Point
(now City of Hickman) when l fret went
tkere, was II. o. Beatty, son of Judge
Beatty, Of Mason county, KY. We had
many rough and tumble contests before
the magistrates and juries in those days.
| recall one or two. A man was brought
before two justices, as an examining
court; Beatty prosecuted; | defended
The charge was stealing a hundred dollar
Kentucky Bank bill. l raised the point
that there was L o evidence as to proper
owner of the bill. The court decided
that although it was clear that my client
had stolen the money, yet they would
rule that my point, was well taken. and
the prisoner must be discharged | then
dsmanded that the bill be given TO me;
Realty demanded that it should be given
70 hin. But our 'Squires speedily set
tied the controversy between us, by dsci-
ding that they wsuld keep it themselves
aud they did so-dividing the money be
tween them. Neither MIR. Beatty or
eould exactly see the point, but the court
did very clearly.
On another occasion gentleman by
the name of Cravsns, who lived on the
Missouri shore, opposite Hickman, en-
ployed us both to 60 across the river and
defend a man under charge of malicious
uoundinG. The trial was to be had be-
fore Squire---. Crav0n's object
was to give his friend an opportunity to
escape Our effort was to procrastinats
1rrhf orna IN aaH a
point TINT THE justice could not legally
try the case, and we read the books and
made lengthy speeches. Finally as it
grew dark enough for our purpose, we
prevailed on the justice TO grant our man
q change of venue, and here is the en-
dorsement he made:
81 hereby transfer and assign this war
rant to Haley Moder, ESQ, without re-
course on me in law or equity"
Armed with this document, we started
TO travel about FIVE miles through tho riv-
err bottom. The constable had been libsr-
ally supplied with 'blue ruin" all day.
and was now gloriously drunk, and OF
course the prisoner made his escape.
Molder tore up the warrant, assignment
and all, laughing very heartily At this
new method of SKIING up change of ven
ne, and there was an end of the case.
James w. Gibson WAS in those days =
resident lawyer of Clinton. He WAS a
genial, whole soul gentleman, and
thoughts of him always suggest something
of fun and good fellowship. Maj Gibson
once prevailed upon client of his to suf-
fer him TO bring suit against a neighbor,
upon state of facts, which the Majo
could fully establish, by his own testi-
meuy- The suit was commenced, process
served, court came on, the case was call
ed for trial. the defendent had no counsel,
and tho Major had it all in his own way.
lie was the only lawyer, and the only
witness. He stated his case, was sworn,
and gave the only evidence, and then
made his speech. At the conclusion of
Gibson's argument, Judge Fowler in
struetsd the jury to find for the defen-
dAnt. Amid a general roar of laughter At
his discontinue, the Major rose with his
hands deep down in his pants pocket, aud
looking eravely round upon the laugh
ing crowd said, "This is the frat time /
ever knew a man to run race by him.
self and get beat "