Semi-weekly interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1881-1905, 1882-04-28
"REMINISCENCES
4 Stanford Lawyer Reiates Several 10 N
Interior Journal


In casual conversation with one
of the older members Of the legal pro-
fession few days since, he detailed
the following incidents which we think
worthy Of preservation as ilustra-
tive OF how things we're done under
the old regime: When the new con-
slitution Of Kentucky went into effect,
n sheriff and County Judge had just
been elected in & neighboring noun
tain county in accordance with It's
provisions. During the first term Of
court, the sheriff was very busy col
lecting taxes and did not render the
assistance 10 the Court 10 VIII ich the
Judge thought he was entitled. lie
was accordingly called up before the
Judge and informed that unless he
remained in the courtroom and gave
his time aud attention 20 the Court,
he would be fined. Without making
any reply, the sheriff stepped to the
front door Of the courtroom aud
shouted at the top OF his voice: ooh
yes-oh, yes-oh, yes-court is now
adjourned until court in course" ii
then turned to the Judge and said: 81
will give you 10 understand that /
open and close this 'shebang' myself,
and court is now closed" The Judge
was also Of the opinion that the sheriff
possessed the power of opening and
closing court, and left his bench aud
mingled with the crowd, complaining
bitterly ut the course Of the sheriff in
refusing 10 LET him discharge the bus.
mess Of the court. The crowd appeal
ed TO the sheriff 10 open court again.
After reconciliation between the
Judge aud sheriff, the latter consent
ell 10 open court again and permit the
Judge to proceed with his business.
Twenty five years ago there lived
in Pulaski County two legal gentle
men named Walker HALEY and
John G.. Lair, both Of whom were
well read IN the law. Haley was
much given to reading the authorities
on all the points in his cases. On one
occasion the two were retained on op.
)osite sides OF case Of forcible detain-
er, pending before a magistrate in the
southern part Of the county, Haley
took with him a pair of saddle pockets
filed with Kentucky reports. The
facts Of the case were soon disposed Of
but when the points OF law involved
came TO be settled and given 10 the
jury IN the shape of instructions,
the two lawyers differed widely as to
what was really law. In his argu
ment Of the law of the case, Haley
read a number Of Kentucky opinions
rendered by Judges Boyle, Owsley,
Robertson, aud others as settling the
law in his favor. When Lair came
to answer this law argument, he stat
ed to his Honor that what Haley
had read him were only the opinions
OF Boyle, Owsley, aud Robertson, who
had tried the cases referred TO, but that
he, the Justice, should not be govern.
ed by the opinions Of other men, and
that he thought it a great wrong in
Haley TO insist on his surrenderiug
his opinions to those of other men who
were not connected with the case in
any way; and that he must not thus
surrender his manhood. independence,
and judgment. The Squire became
very indignant after this argument.
and said that he was the Court that
was trying that case; that he intended
to be governed by his own, and not
the opinions OF other men, and in.
structed the Jury TO find for Mr..
LARS client which they did.
The primitive era in which the
foregoing incidents occurred, furnishes
another anecdote Illustrative Of the
rugged, albeit the unlettered, virtues of
the public functionaries of that day.
They were no. men who pinned faith
to the technicalities of the law, but
believed firmly and practically in that
clause Of the Bill of Rights which
provides that Justice shall be ad.
ministered without sale, denial or
DELAY
Judge f. T. Fox and VIM. Owens,
Esq, the former now the venerable
ex-Judge of Danville, the latter a
distinguished lawyer of Columbia,
KY, each had lucrative practice in
Casey county, and we're acquainted
with nearly every man, woman, child ,
dog, and even the constables of the
county. On one occasion. returning
from a session of the Court of APP.
peals at Frankfort, they met near
Lawreuceburg, a Casey county con
stable, who had in custody crest
fallen, seedy looking fellow, with his
arms pinioned behind him, and his
feet chained under the belly of d
"ilea bit mare.
Said Owens, "Helloo Bob ! Wher,
are you goingY' Elm on my way Il
the penitentiary with this ere chaI
for stealing, said Bob.
"When was he convicted" said
Ovens, knowing that the Casey Cir
cult Court had not been in session fol
several months. "Oh he was con
victed the other day" "You must b.
mistaken, replied Owens, there hasn'
been term Of the Casey Circuit Cour
tor four months.
"Oh, He'll" says Bob. 1--WE didn'
convict him before Bridges, (referrinl
20 the Circuit Judge then in Commits