Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1882-05-20
A Legal incident of Cholera Times.
Nashville Banner.

y
of poles as John Endless, a name
conferred by Gen. William A.
QuarleS, himself sometimes called,
for short, William Artless, because
of the artless and un5ophisticated
manner in which he addresses a
jury. 1t was in one of the early
cholera visitations, Circuit Court
was in session and Judge Martin on
the bench. The time was July, the
weather torrid, cholera rumors
much bruited abroad, bench, bar
and attendants keeping close watch
and ward upon Wristbands for pre-
monitory symptoms. The bar had
agreed TO dispatch business rapidly,
abridge speeches, and allow the
court to adjourn, not that there was
cholera. nearer than Nashville, but
that its approach was dreaded. 1t
was agreed that, in the absence of
actual cholera, it would not do to
run from a Hypothetical case and
that the docket should be as rapidly
as possible gene over. In great ap-
prehension the last day had been
reached; rumors- had multiplied
the court and bar had almost at
tained state of panic, when the
day of possible adjournment was
reached with John Endless having
case set for next morning, and
the court and bar in possession of
his pledge to be brief-as possible,
mentally reserved-and afford the
Judge and bar time to sign bills of
exception, hear few motions and
adjourn. The jury was in place,
the case one of a woman accused of
stealing three pounds of feathers
the Attorney-G General had delivered
himself of the opening and John
Endless posed his tall, gaunt and
somewhat bent form before the
jury, with his customary Chester
field bow and manner. The Judge
nervously clutched his abdomen,
glanced towards Nashville, as if to
see whether the air contained any
filanents of disease or floating bac-
terra, and said: "Mr. Endless, put
your case, please"
"May it please this Honorable
Court and you gentlemen of the
jury"-began, Mr.. Endless, "before
/ begin, may it please this Honor
able Court, the weather is exceeding
ly warm and sultry. This mephitic
air, directly from a pestilential city,
is exceedingly close. This vast con-
course of people, attracted here,
may it please the Honorable Court,
by the magnitude of this case,
wherein this poor woman is charg-
ed with feloniously abstracting and
CARRYING away feathers -"Mr. clerk
let me see the indictment, please 2"
"Mr. Endless" said the Court,
"will you be kind enough to put
your case to the jury" eyes,
your Honor, / was coming to that.
Feathers. as / see, of the weight of
three pounds and the value of two
and thrippence, as charged in the
indictment, or words to that effect.
Seeing that this vast cOncOurse is
disposed to block up the ordinary
avenues left for free egress and in
gress of air and provided for venti-
latiOn, thereby, greatly enhancing
the heat and the dangers, incident
to this perilous times when great
epidemic is knocking as it were at
our very doors, l was about to ask
if your Honor would consider it an
objectionable breach Of courtesy if
| were to ask permission to remove
my outer garment" "No sir, re-
move anything, but go on with
your Case"
ayes, your Honor, | was coming
to that"-by this time his coat was
your Honor mind if |
hung this garment on that nail in
the presence of the court ?' The
Judge nodded assent. The coat
was hung up MIR. Endless regained
his place, returned and smoothed
out a wrinkle or two in the coat and
again planted himself in front of
the jury. "Will you proceed, Mr..
said the Judge fretfully,
with half IA hitch at his waistband.
"Yes, your Honor, l was coming
to that-would your honor mind if
took off my waistcoat ?' "NO sir,
everything, if you will
go on" The WaistcOat was care
fully hung upon the nail. "If
your Honor please, it is evidence of
the interest of the people that this
vast cOncourSe is gathered here at
this time of great peril. The very
air is heavy, and it requires no
stretch of imagination to detect the
Odor of disease on the wings of the
"Mr. Endless will you
put your case to the jury?" eyes,
your Honor; was coming directly
to that, but first feel that / must !
again trespass upon your Honor's
patience and good nature for per-
to take off my craVat and |
collar" eyes, take off your |
breeches, boots, socks, anything, so
you 60 on" retorted the court. 81
fear that L have already abused
your Honor's patience, and / will
only take advantage of your Hon.
lr's kindness to loose my galu5es |
this air is exceedingly oppressive,
and, l fear, unwhOlesome." Mr.. |
Endless here brought all his feat
lres together at the point of his
nose as only he can do, as if he |
scented cholera in the air. The
Judge was out of all patience, and |
he situation was too serious to be |
udicrous to the bar at the time.
"Mr. Sheriff, will you be kind |
to give me glass of wa
er 2" said he. "In these times wa
er is said to be very unwholesome,
your Honor, but L shall indulge
paringly." The Judge looked as
t ne wished he might take fatal
lose, as he swallowed about pint.
Mr.. Endless then returned to his
place in front of the jury, straight
med himself up and began his
peech in defense of his client ac
used of stealing three pounds of
Gathers with:
Hung be the heavens with black, yet day
to night,
,omets importing change of times and
states,
srandish your crystal tresses in the sky;
And with them scourge the bad revolving |
stars"
And from that noble beginning
he went ON for three mortal hours,
all fears of cholera and
bringing the court and jury to think
Ilone of the present evil.
In 1850 the value of the lands of |
he State was $S4, 4,110,174, and in
1860 was 5000, 176, $50 being. more !
han doubled in ten years.-Appedl.