The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1882-09-07
Judge Mc0own.
An Arkansas Justice who Administered Justice
in an OF Eand Manner.


George w. McCown viii long be re-
membared as the most characteristic
Judge known to the judicial history of
Arkansas. McCown was Scotchman,
of unmistakable pronunciation. He
came to Arkansas while quite young
man and began the practice of law
Small, adhering closely to Richard s
.'half made up physical theory. but
with quick, vigorous, and legally di-
gestive mind, he attracted universal at
tention. Shortly after the war he was
ninth judicial circuit, in the southern
part of the state. His life, written with
close adherence to facts, without even
the ordinary flourish of the biographer,
would make book of curious and or
iginal character. On one occasion, up
on opening court at Louisville, Lafayette
county, he exhibited particular inter-
est in regard to roads. Gentlemen"
he said, in charging the grand jury, II
want you to pay particular attention to
roads, and to return an indictment
against every road overseer who has not
discharged his duty
When the jury brought in its report
not single Indictment had been found
against road overseer. Gentlemen
he said with much warmth, Il charged
you particularly to indict road over
seers. You have failed to discharge
that duty. Does any member of the
jury know of a sign board in Lafayette
county,"
Il know of one," answered jury
man.
"Who put it up?"
cd. E. Conway"
''Mr Clerk" said the judgein man.
ner as solemn as his dialect would al
low, center up credit of fifty dollars
to Mr.. Conway for putting up the only
sign board in Lafayette county. Such
an action is highly commendable and
one which this court most gracefully
acknowledges"
Il know of one." exclaimed another
juryman.
''Who put it upp'
"Sam. Taylor"
'.Where is it?'
"Out at the forks of the road"
.'What did he put on itp''
Twelve miles to Lewisville."
Eyes, well, anybody knows that it is
fifteen miles. Mr.. Clerk enter fine of
$50 against Mr.. Taylor for inscribing a
lie on a sign board
Once, during very busy term of the
court, George P. Smoote, who had been
lawyer, but who had reformed and
adopted the pulpit as an eminence from
which to spread persuasive eloquence,
came to town and announced, with
special invitation to the bar, that he
would preach at night. One of the
lawyers arose and requested that the
court adjourn at night that the lawyers
might have chance of hearing the
lawyer divine.
"All right" said McCown. '.Mr.
Clerk. enter it upon the record that this
court adjourns to hear the Rev. George
p. Smoote preach"
"Your honor" said Judge Eakin, who
now occupies a seat on the supreme
bench of the state, arising and address
ing the court, sit is unnecessary to enter
it upon record"
Enter it, Mr.. Clerk" continued the
Judge. 81 am Baptist; Mr.. Smoote is
a Methodist, and ] want it entered so
that if he ever falls from grace I'll have
the record on him.
During q session of the court in an
other county, McCown stopped in the
midst of a trial and began to compli-
ment the honorable Mr.. Warren. Near
ly every one in the room was drunk,
and the departure did not create the
least surprise.
"Col, Warren" said the Judge. ''the
court recognizes in you friend.''
"Your head Is level, your HONOR re-
piled the colonel.
1.-The court remembers with grateful
appreciation your many acts OF kind
ness"
esYour head is level, your honor"
''The coufI remembers that years
ago, when he was young and friend
less, you took him into your buggy,
drove him around and introduced
him."
''Your head is level, your honor"
''The court recognizes the fact that
you are far above him in ability and la-
gal learning. '''''
your head is level, your honor"
s.Iou are liar" exclaimed the judge,
springing to his feet, u have forgot
more than you ever knew. '-Arkansas0
lrareler.