The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-12-13
LAWYER CoRNLnsON's CRIME.
lie Must Expiate His 0ffense by Three Years
Imprisonment in Addition to Fine.
TOT UIAh IAIIOhS,
IL EAST WASHINGTON ST

LOUISVILLE, Dec. 1.-THE Court Of Appeals
affirmed the Circuit Courts decision, to day, and
decided that the lawyer. John J. Corneilson,
who cowhided Judge Reid, of the Superior
Court, at Mt. Sterling, KY, for making an ad
verse decision against Corneson, would have to
go to Jail for three years in addition to paying
fine It will be remembered that Corneison's
victim, Judge Reid, was so mortified at the cow
hiding that he committed suicide
On the afternoon of April l6 1884, the little
town of Mt. Sterling, XIV, was thrown into
ferrsegT of exeiCement by The announcement
that Judge Richard Reid, of the Superior Court,
and candidate for the appellate bench, had
peen brItally assaulted and cowhided by John
j. Corneilson, prominent member of the bar
and ex-master commissioner of the district
The story of the affair must be drawn from
Corneilsons statements. as his victim was
unable, as well as unwilling, to speak OF it,
to the time of his death, month after
ward. The assaiiant announces that he had
made up his mind TO thus attack Judge Reid
fully a month before he did so, charging that
his victim had influenced the Superior Court to
decisions against himself and clients. There
was never the slightest proof that Judge Reid
did this. and, in fact, he repeatedly denied the
charge. both before and after his humiliation.
Pretending to be Judge Reds friend, Cor.
nelson entced him into an upstairs Office, and,
without warning, assaulted him with heavy
walking cane, beating him almost to
inseAsibility without the Judge being
able to offer the slightest resistance
While MS victim lay at his mercy dazed and
bleeding. Corneison cooly drew a cowhide,
which he carried concealed beneath his clothing,
and proceeded to count fifty lashes as they were
dealt upon the poor Judges defenseiess head and
shoulders. By this time Judge Reid recovered
sufficiently to make an attempt at escape, but no
was merclessly followed up. and the cowhide
continued to rain cruel blows upon him CORNELL
Ind Rni6 oh
the pavement and receive assistance he had
given him almost the hundred lashes ne had in
lended for him.
When it became known that this assault had
been made without the least provocatien; that
Corneilson had harbored the cruel intention in
his breast for more than month, while in every
way pretending to be his victims friend, and,
above all, that of superior physical
strength had taken such mean and cowardly
advantage, not even neglecting to have a pistol
within reach, public indignation knew no bounds.
There is no doubt that Corneison would have
been stretched to a convenient tree by eager
hands the very night following his crime but
for the disposition TO allow the injured man
chance to wreak his own revenge upon him.
The opinion that Judge Reid should take shot.
gun and slay his assailant like dog was unani.
nous had he done so, 1t is not at all probable
that he would ever have been placed under ar
rest, and he would doubtless be occupying the
appellate bench which is trying the case of his
murderer to-day. But the Judge felt loath to
shed blood, and his feeling was strengthened by
the tears and appeals of his heroic wife. His
friends talked of duel, and even proposed this
mode of settling the matter to him, but Judge
Rsid answered that he could not consent to break
the laws he had sworn to uphold
Meanwhile public feeling continued to run
high, CoPneilson being hung and burned in effigy
at various places. Almost daily public places
were plaearded with cartoons and riotous in
scriptions. Tae newspapers of the State teemed
with accounts of the affair and indignant edi.
wsul~ tknln~ H. tolA
act and from day to day. gave out for publica-
ton cards claiming to give the circumstances
leading up to it. In answer TO questions he said
be was not sorry for what he had done, and
averred that he would act the same way were it
20 be done again.
During the days which followed the assault
Judge Reid was mostly confined to his bed at
home. His wife had also been Frustrated by the
shock. kilograms of comfort, coincidence and
advice poured in hourly from every section of
the State. The Commonwealth could not boast
o better, brighter and more honored and beloved
public citizen than Judge Richard Reid and the
calamity was felt TO be as great to the public as
to the victims own family Though at last en-
abied to go out occasionally, the Judge never re.
gained his naturally bright spirits, and, though
never complaining. he was known to be suffering
from injuries OF the brain inflicted by Cornell
sons cane.
On the morning of May 15 just four weeks
after the assault, Judge Reid was found dead on
the floor. having sent bullet through his own
Drain. The strain OF the injuries and indigni-
DIES he had undergone had proved too much, and
ne noble and sensitive mind had given way
An one of the Judges cards. lying near by and
written just before firing the fatal shot, were
she aespairing words: Mad, mad. Forgive me-
aear vile. and love to the boy" The news of
sno suicide was more of shock to the public
snan even that of the crime. For time il
would not be believed That n Kentuckian
should Kill himself instead of the man who had