Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1883-06-21
CONKLING IN KANSAS CITY.

The Town Fakes n Holiday on Ac-
count of the Ex-Senator's Appear
ance in a Law suit.
The Kansas City papers give very full
reports of ex-senator Conklipg's ap-
pearance in the law courts of that city,
and appear to consider it an event of
the greatest importance. The sessions
of the court at which he was to speak
were held In the Board of Trade Hall,
and the Journal says: "The event drew
q tremendous audience, there being
fully 1000 people present. Long before
the hour for the opening of the court
the hall was crowded, and at 10 o'clock
there was perfect jam, there being no
vacant seats, while the gallery, aisles,
and every available standing space were
occupied.
At few minutes before the opening
of the court Mr.. Conkling, accompani-
ed by Judge @. K. Offield, of Chicago,
and Messrs. Tichenor, Warner, and
Dean, arrived and took their seats at
the table placed for their use, to. the
left In front of the judges. At 10 o'clock
precisely, the way was cleared for the
judges, and they assembled the bench,
Judge Arnold Krekel first, then Mr..
Justice Miller, and Judge McCrary. The
bailiff arose, raped order, and with all
the formality made and provided In
such cases, solemnly repeated the for
mula: "Oyezl Oyez, the honorable
United States District and Circuit Courts
for the Western Division of the West
ern District of Missouri has met pur-
saant to adjournment for the transac-
fTOr1 of h11Sinosc -
MR.. CONKLIEG ARISES.
After this announcement. Mr.. Justice
Miller proceeded to deliver his opin-
ion in the Observation-Disclosures case,
and at the conclusion stated that the
court was ready to hear the closing
argument 'in the matter of John
Brosnahan VS.. J. w. Rucker." There
was moment Cf silence after the
Judge finished speaking and Mr.. Con-
king arose and took hasty glance at
the vast audience, many of whom were
ladies, and Immediately began his ad-
dress TO the court. Standing he pre-
scented q perfect picture of health and
physical manhood. His beard was
close clipped on the sides and pointed
at the chin, while his snowy hair was
brushed carefully back, except the tiny
curling lock upon his forehead.
He was dressed in business suit of
black, specked with white, while the
corner of q red silk handkerchief
peeked from his upper coat pocket,
and q very small purple flower was
pinned to the left lapel of his coat
A rundown collar and blue checked
tie encircled his neck, while the only
jeWelry visible about the person was a
gold watch chain and charm, which
was almost hidden by his vest.
HIS MANNER IN SPEAKING.
The great orators manner of speak
ing was slow, precise and distinct,
though at times he became very en-
phatic, when his whole mein seemed
to change. Rising upon his toes, he
would bring both hands down in a
sweeping, forcible gesture, while 8
fierce glare would shine from his eyes,
his brow would become corrugated,
and with his teeth clenched tightly, his
whole appearance was one of terrible,
savage earnestness. A pause, and
again he was the easy, graceful pleader
of the moment before. His references
to the opposing council, Messrs. E. P.
Gates and Wash Adams, while at times
cutting and sarcastic, were always
couched IN respectful language and in
variabiy accompanied by some compli-
mentary allusion.
After the argument had proceeded
for about half hour, the noise at the
rear end of the room caused by the
coming and going of those endeavor-
ing to get in, caused Mr.. Justice Miller
to order the door closed, and all that
did not care to remain during the en-
tire sitting of the court to leave. Quite
q number IN the rear end of the room
accordingly departed. The argument
was interrupted but once more before
the noon adjournment. Several times
when the speaker made some caustic
remark or rounded off an eloquent
period there was faint attempt at ap-
plause, which was promptly stopped
by the court. The large number of
attorneys present paid close attention.