The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1886-02-06

question he obtained the same reply.
By this time he realized the fact
that his witnes was no post deluvian
and his eye kindled with unwonded
lustre when again he modified the
form of his enquiry and suggested
to the old lady that she might be
assisted in fixing her probable age
by refreshing her memory by refer
ence to some circumstance or event
which she could recall and which
transpired in her early childhood,
for example her first visit to Morgan
town. For a moment the old lady
bowed her head in deep thoughtful
ness, and then answered, II could
not pretend to give my age but / am
very certain that when i was little
girl and first visited Morgantown
there was no river there" The old
lady was politely requested to stand
aside and the counsel sub rosa told
the Sheriff to call a witness who
was born after the flood"
JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.
The Virginia justice of the peace
has always been an important per
sonage in his community. The Rev.
Henry Smith, in his Reccollections,
as far back as 1895, partook of the
hospitality of Monongalia county
justice of the peace. He says, Il
believe this man could read but not
rrite; and yet he was a magistrate
and a patriarch in the settlement"
the magistrates were formerly APP
pointed by the Governor and Council
upon the recommendation of the
County Court: and being clothed
with dignity by the Commonwealth,
that dignity had to be maintained.
When he had mastered the formula
of an oath he administered it with
great solemnity and eclat, and the
form was, in the olden time, longer
and more ponderous in terms than
now. An old Morgantown justice
Esquire Ky is said to have
abbreviated the form on one occasion
thus: do you solemnly swear be-
fore Almighty God-O, d-n it to
HI you know the rest-so help you
God"
Squire Il was man OF integ-
rity and honor, and prided himself on
his just and equitable decisions.
He did not believe in avoiding an
honest debt by interposing the stat
ute, and did not think it right to al
low anyone else to do so in his court.
A defendant once appeared before
him and made defence to an action
that the account sued on was barred.
But" demanded the squire, sis it
just?' "Well, yes;,' was the reply,
sit is just enough, but it is barred
by the Imitation "Well, them
said the squire, ''if it is just l will
be id if / don't render judgment
against you, for you can't plead any
of your id Hmitashings in this
Court"
1t will be noticed from these an
ecdotes that Squire K was
somewhat addicted to the use of
profane language. 1t was his habit.
The habit had so fastened itself on
him that he did not know he was
profane. 1t is related that once
upon a time during his magistracy
there was a show in Morgantown,
and if anything in the world will
bring a crowd Of people to Morgan
town it is show. This was circus
and menagerie combined, and was of
unusual magnitude. There resided
in and aboutMorgantown at that time
a family named Bice, and one named
Hopkins, who were celebrated fight
ers. These and other kindred spirits,
being filled up with bad whisky, at
tempted to enter the tent without
paying, and on being refused admit
lance, undertook to clean up the
showmen lin fisticuff The show
men fought like desperados with
crow bars, picks, axes or any other
weapons that came in their way, and
thereupon ensued the most celebrat-
ed row that ever occurred in Nor
gantown. What added especial ter
ror to the occasion, while men were
being knocked in every direction and
the women and children were scream
ing at the top of their voices, the
showmen called about to the keepers
to turn out the Bengal tigers At
this junction Squire K rushed
upon the scene of action exclaiming,
Il command the peace in the name
of the Commonwealth whereupon
a large knife swiping about his neck,
inflicted an ugly but shallow cash
extending from the region of the
iugular vein clear across the wind
pipe. The valiant old officer of the
peace threw up his hands in great
alarm exclaiming, MAY the Lord
have mercy on my soul-some Cd
id son Of a - has cut my throat
from ear to ear"