Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1883-09-06
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THE JUDGES WIFE.

Judge Shickleton, ofe 6ftthe most promi-
nent jurists in Arkansas, at a banquet the
other night, related an interesting reminis-
cence of the early days of Arkansas.
81 came here" said the judge, "just after
I had been admitted to the bar in North
ern State. Like the average young lawyer,
I was poor, and actually thirsted for case.
Shortly after l arrived, l went to noun
tain district, and stopped at a small town
where court was in session. There was con-
siderable excitement in the town over the
trial Of a young man who had been lndlct-
ed for murder. The older lawyers were
10th to engage in the prosecution, SO the
young prosecuting attorney was working
single-handed. | met him the second day
after my arrival, and when he learned that
l was a lawyer, he said:
"'I am glad to see you, for. l know that,
as young man in the profession, you OF
course want an introduction to the people OF
the State. Nothing so quickly and effect
ually introduces man like participancy in
an important case. am at present prose
cutting, for murder, a young fellow named
Dawes. He is as guilty as guilty can be,
and should by all means hang, yet l fear,
with so much opposition, that / will not be
able to assist justice to a proper punishment
of the terrible crime. Now, what want
you to do is to assist me-
81 did not at allrelish the idea that my first
case should be one of tragedy, and that my
first money derived from law should be
blood money; but seeing no other opening,
and fearing that none other would present
itself, / consented. Just before we reached
the argument in the case, the prosecuting at
torney was taken violently ill, leaving the
entire conduct Of the case devOlving upon
me. This, to me, put dreadful phase on
the affair, and for time meditated Wheth-
er or not would run away from the country
and seek my fortune elsewhere, but finally
deciding that could never become lawyer
without making sacrifices in the discharge
of my duty, l resolved to remain and do
my best. | studied the case carefully. l
went to the place, short distance away,
and examined the ground where the murder
had been committed. / found witness
who had not been summoned, and upon the
whole did good detective work. The argu-
ments began. I nerved myself to the point,
and made the best speech [ could possibly
formulate. l was somewhat surprised at
my own powers, and at the interest / was
taking in the case. The prisoner, a hand
some fellow, would at times look at me in
mute appeal, but I knew that he was guilty.
I established the fact that the defendant had
and that shortly afterwards he went to
Shannon's field and shot him from the
fence. I made every point so clear that
could see the jurymen shaking their heads
when an illustration was strikingly vivid
The counsel for the defense, composed of old
LAWYERS, whose fame had long since been es-
tablished, looked at me in astonishment
They met me, and wanted a compromise.
knew nothing but justice, and justice knew
no compromise. Finally, the case went tc
the Jury. Within five minutes aftcrWard a
verdict of guilty was rendered.
"An appeal to the supreme court was ta'
ken, but the decision of the court below was
sustained, and the young man was hanged
II did not settle in the town, for the scene
became repulsive. 1 moved to another part
of the State, where soon establisheda good
practice.
zone day, about three years afterward, !
met, at northern watering place, a beautl-
full young woman, whose husband was dy'
ing of consumption: She seemed SO devo,
ted to him, consulted his every Whlm, ana
was so anxious abouthi comfort, that / was
attracted toward her. She did not seem to
doubt her husbands recovery, and when
one evening asked her if she did not think
that he was sinking rapidly, her large, lus-
trous eyes filed with tears, and in choking
voice she replied:
"I don't think that he is sick enough to
die
"'But you should be prepared for the
worst" suggested.
"'I cannot be prepared for it. No prepa;
ration can tighten the blow. If he dies, ii
is my desire to go too
"'But you cannot 60 without committing
suicide, and you certainly cannot contem'
plate such a terrible step
"'Oh! I don't know she exclaimed, i
don't like to think about it,
"The cOnsumptivc grew worse rapidly