Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-01-30
FBE OtosfEEaCOrsseL,
Installations OF a Scene IN a
Texas Court

republic, under the nom de plume of
Charles Summerfeld. lie wrote
many sketches Of incidents, which at
tracted much attention at the time;
but none Of them have been more ad-
mired or oitener republished than this
one. The volunteer counsel, John
Taylor, was so full Of eccentricities
that he was sometimes called crack
ed" He was born in New York,
highly educated. studied law and was
admitted to the bar at twenty one
years. He soon after married a belle
Of the best society. A year or SO
afterwards he suddenly left New York
for Texas, his wife obtained a divorce,
and changed the name of their only
child to that Of another whom she
married. Taylor remained until his
death in Texas. AT the time Of his
appearance in this case he was devot,
ing most Of his time to preaching. In
after yearg he seldom preached, but
devoted his time to law practice, in
which he was attentive but not bril-
liant. 1t is related of him, that after
the Hopkins trial, he announced his
desire to build a church in a certain
locality, and to obtain funds for the
purpose, would wager $500 that his
mare could beat any animal in the
country any distance not over a mile.
The wager was taken, the race run, he
riding for himself, and he won the
stake, and with it built the church.
The following is "Summerfeld's s.
sketch OF the trial:
AT an early hour on the 9th Of
April, 1910. the courthouse in Clarks
vile, Texas, was crowded to over
flowing. Save in the war times past.
there had never been witnessed such
a gathering 10 Red River county,
while the strong feeling apparent on
every flushed face will sIGicitntly
explain the matter.
Al the close Of 1899 George Hop
kins, one Of the wealthiest planters
and most influential Nen in Northern
Texas, offered a gross insult to Mary
Ellison, the young and beautiful wife
OF his chief oyerseer. The husband
threatened to chastise him for tn,
outrage; w%hereupon Hopkins loaded
his gun, went TO E%llison's house, anC
shot him in his own door. The muir
derer was arrested and balled to an
swer the charge. The occurrence,
produced intense excitement, anC
Hopkins, in order to turn the tide o
public opinion, or at least TO mitigate
the general wrath, which was at frs
violent against him, circulated re
ports UNANIMOUSLY prjudicial to thu
character OF the woman who had sui
tered such cruel wrong at his hands
She brought hersuit for SANDER. AnC
thus two cases, one criminal and tn,
other civil, and both out of the sam
tragedy, we're pending in the Apri
Circuit Court for 1910. The interes
naturally felt by the community as t.
he issue became far deeper when i
was known that Ashley and Pike, o
Arkansaw, and the celebrated Prem
tiss, of New Orleans, each with enor
nous fees, had been retained by Hop
kins for his defense.
The trial for the indictment Of muir
der ended on the 9Th of April Wit
the acquittal of Hopkins. Such
result might have been f~orsseen b
comparing the talents of the counse
engaged on either side. The Texa
lawyers we're utterly overwhelmed b
the arguments and eloquence of thei
opponents. IL was a fight Of a dwar
against giants.
This SANDER suit was set for tn
9Th, and the throng Of spectators gre
in number as we'll as excitement; an
what may seem strange, the curreI
of public sentiment was decidedly fC
Hopkins. His money had procure
pointed witnesses who served moi
efficiently his powerful advocates. Ii
deed. SO triumphant had been th
. success Of the previous day, that whe
the SANDER case was called Maj
Ellison was left without a lawyer
! they had all withdrawn. The pigm
: pottifoggers dared not brave again
Z the sharp wit Of Pike, and the scatl
ing thunder of Prentiss.
Have you no counsel9" inquire
Judge Mills, looking kindly at ii
. plaintiff.
= mo, sir, they have all deserted m
and | an too poor to employ an
more" replied the beautiful Mar
8 blushing even to tears.
I'm such a case will not a chivalror
member OF the professor volunteer?
. asked the Judge, glsncing around Ii
= bar.
The thirty lawyers wee silent /.
death.
Judge Mills repeated the question
=, Il will, your honor" replied a voic
from the thickest part Of the crowC
situated behind the bar.
AT the tones Of that voice mar
started from their seats; and perhar
there was not a heart in that immens
. throng which did not beat somethin
quicker-it wa so unearthly, swee
clear, ringing and mournful.
? The first sensation however, change
into general laughter when a tai
gaunt, spectral figure that nobod
present remembered to have see
before, elbowed himself through h
, crowd and placed himself within Il
bar. His appearance was a problel
! to puzzle the Sphynx herself. II
: high, pale brow, aud small, %nervousI
twitching face seemed alive with cor
eentrated essence and cream Of geniu
bat then, his infantile blue eve
hardly visible beneath the archie
looked dim, dreaIy, almost uncor
n scious; and his clothing was so shabb
that the court hesitated to let III
cause proceed under his Management
Has your name been registered O
the rolls Of the State2" demanded II
judge, suspiciously.
1T is immaterial about my nam
9 being on your roll" answered N
. stranger, his thin, bloodless lips cur
: ing up into a fendish sneer. 81 ma
{ be allowed TO appear for once, by Ii
! courtesy OF the court and bar. Hel
q is my license from the highest tribu
{ nal in America" aud he handed Juds
Mills a broad parchment. The tri
Immediately went on.
In the examination Of witnesses Il
7 stranger evinced but little ingenuit.
as was commonly thought. He su