The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1889-12-14
A TRAMP CLIENTS FEE.
A Barrel of Whisky, Developed
Into 100000 Cash.

Undoubtedly the most valuable
barrel of whisky ever distilled, said
well-known Steuben county lawyer to
New York Sun man, twas owned
some years ago in Steuben county. II
there was ever barrel of whisky more
valuable would like to hear of it, for
two gallons of this particular barrel
brought to its owner over $500, 900
gallon. There is q story connected
with that whisky that is worth telling,
and worth placing on the record, too.
'Some years before the war a young
man named Henry NJ. Sherwood was
admitted to the bar of Steuben county.
He was bright young fellow and be-
longed in the town of Woodruff. Soon
after he was admitted to the bar, and
tramp was arrested and put in Jail at
Corning. He had been guilty of some
serious breach of the peace and his
general appearance was that OF genu-
me tough. He tried to engage law
yer to defend him when his case came
up for a hearing but as he had no
money no one cared TO take his case in
hand. At last he inquired whether
there wasn't some young lawyer in the
place who hadn't had much of an OPP
portunity to distinguish himself as yet,
and who would likely be willing to un-,
dertake the management of the prison.
er's case for the chance of getting
some glory out of it. He was told that
young Hank Sherwood might consent
under these conditions, and the strang-
er sent for the briefless lawyer. Sher-
wood went to the Jail and saw the
prisoner.
1T looks is if I was in pretty
| bad scrape,' said the tramp to Hank,
but believe that lawyer can get
me through all right Now, I'm from
Kentucky, and l haven't got cent.
I'm going back to Kentucky If l get
out of this scrape, but I'll have to beg
or beat my way till get there. My
father is a big distiller, but I've been
trife wild and he and | are not on
| the best of terms. He wouldn't send
me cent even if should send word
! OF the fix l am in here. But I'll tell
you what Pll do. If you will take
charge of my case and work it for all
| it's worth and get me clear I'll
sneak out of the old mans stock when
get home barrel of the best old
Kentucky whisky there is in the Bour-
bon country and have it shipped to
you. lean do it easy. What do you
ssyp' =,
young Sherwood didn't take bit
OF stock in the mans story, but he
made up his mind to see what he could
do in the management of the case, just
to begin getting his hand in,
and he accepted the tramp as his client.
i don't remember the details of the
case, but Hank succeeded in clearing
the tramp and the latter went away,
feeling good. Time passed along and
Sherwood had forgotten all about his
tramp client and the promised Zee
when one day the station agent at Ad-
olson, where the young lawyer lived,
met him and said:
Say, Hank, there's a barrel in the
freight-house for you. It's been there
a day or two and came from Kentucky.
More than that, its markings declare
that it contains Kentucky bourbon
"The tramp paid his lawyers fee,
|
rel taken home and placed in his cellar.
He wasn't much of a tamperer with
whisky, and the barrel lay in the cellar
five years without being disturbed.
The late Constant Cook was then judge
of Steuben county. He was holding
court at Corning one term, and, as was
the custom in those days, number OF
lawyers and others gathered in the
Judges room at the hotel in the even
ing and passed an hour or two in a So
cial game of euchre. The judge en-
loved an occasional glass of whisky,
and he was thorough judge OF whis-
XIV, too. On the occasion l speak OF
Hank Sherwood was one of the judges
party. The Judge was very bitter in
his denunciation of the whisky they
sold in Corning, and said he would be
grateful for glass OF whisky that was
fit to drink. That reminded Sherwood
of his old Kentucky bourbon that had
been living so long in his cellar. He
told Judge Cook that he had some
whisky at home that he believed was
good, and that he would fetch some
down next day. He had his barrel
tapped that night, and filling two
gallon jug from it brought it to Corn
ing and presented it to Judge Cook.
The Judge tasted the whisky, and in
all his experience he had never met its
equal.
Young man. said he to Sherwood,
Il won't forget you for fetching me
this stuff. If everI see a chance to
give you a lift I'll do it.
s'Time passed. Sherwood skinned
| Al IF ha
country lawyer. The war broke out.
Judge Cook was one OF the solid men
of western New York. He, in company
with the late John Arnot, j. S. i.
Stranahan of Buffalo, Charles Cook OF
Havana, and John H. Chedell of Au-
burn had built the New York q Erie
railroad from Binghamton to Corning
and was largely interested in other
great improvements in this part OF the
state and Pennsylvania. Soon after
the war began he obtained a big gov
eminent contract and at once sent for
Hank Sherwood.
/" Pm going to give you that lift
now, Henry said he.
He let Sherwood in on the contract.
and the country lawyers share OF the
proceeds was $3.50, 000-cold, cash dol
lars. After this was done Judge Cook
said to Sherwood!
"'There's some land for sale In
Tioga county, Pa. It is coal land and
is bound to be very valuable. You
can buy some of it cheap. Put all the
money you've got in that land.
..Sherwood did so. Every dollar he
made in the big contract he put into
Tioga county land. He hadn't great
while to wait before the prophecy Of
Judge Cook came true. henry M.
Sberwood's first fee resulted in being
the biggest ever received by any law
yer on earth, for he cleared over 81
600, 900 from his investment in the
Tioga county lands and the barrel Of
Kentucky whisky his tramp client had
paid for his services was the basis OF 1t
all.
legislators Snake.
Mr.. Gordon, q member OF the
| Cooro;o bonca of Tenresantativas