The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1882-09-05
Judge McOown.
An Arkansas Justice who Administered IuS,i 50
In an of Hand Manner

81" "'hdiAhas Jusuoo VINO Administered Iuhi5e
in an of Hand Manner
George w. McCown will long be re-
membered 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 Richards
"haIf made up" physical theory, but
with u quick, vigorous, and legally di-
gestlye mind, he attracted universal at
tention. Shortly after the war he was
elected, to the position of Judge Of the
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 Lewisville, 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, II charged
you particularly to indict road over
seers. You have failed to discharge
that duty, Does any member of the
jury know of sign board in Lafayette
county,
Il know of one answered a jury
man.
WHO put it up?'
I'D. L. CONWAY
"Mr. Clerk, - said the iudgein man
ner as solemn as his dialect would al
low, center up a 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 it?''
Twelve miles to Lewisville.n
Eyes, well, anybody knows that il is
fifteen miles. Mr.. Clerk enter fine of
$50 against Mr. Taylor for inscribing a
lie on sign board"
Once, during a 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 thatth
court adiourns TO hear the Rev. George
p. Smoote preach"
Your HONOR goid Judge Eakiu, who
now occupies a seat on the supreme
bench of the state, arising and address,
ing the court, 'it is unnecessary to enter
it upon record"
Enter it, Mr. Clerk" continued the
judge. II am Baptist; Mr.. Smoote is
Methodist, and want it entered so
that if be ever falls from grace III have
the record on him."
During session of the court in an.
other county, McCown stopped in the
midst of trial and began to compli-
ment the honorable Mr.. Warren Near
" every one in the room was drunk,
and the departure did not create the
least surprise.
Col Warren" said the Judge, 1.-The
court recognizes in you a friend"
Your head is level, your honor" re-
piled the colonel
THE court remembers with grateful
appreciation your many acts of kind
ness"
Your head is level, your honor"
THE court remembers that years
ago, when he was young and friend
less, you took him irto 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 lie.
gal learning.
Your head is level, your honor"
you are a liar" exclaimed the Judge,
springing to bis feet Il have forgot
more than you ever knew. "-ArkaaSat
lrQUeler.
| a.