The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-12-21
HIS HONOR TAKES THE CANE.
Tho Petit Jurors Show Their Regard for
Judge Hunt.

Tho Petit Jurors Show Their Regard fol
Judge Hunt.
The petit jurors of the district court were
discharged from further service yesterday
They have had quite large amount Of
work to do during their attendance, and
have been brought in close relationship
with Judge Hunt. and determined, before
separating, to show their appreciation Of
his uniform courtesy and Kindness. Sc
they presented him with handsome gold
headed cane in open court. It was suitably
inscribed. County Attorney @. B. Nolan
made the presentation speech on behalf Of
the jurors. He said:
'sIt is now twelve months since the respon-
siblllty was assumed by you to perform the
onerous duties which Of necessity devolye
upon the presiding Judge of the first judi
cial district. But twelve months of con-
slant and active duty have only tended to
confirm the impression which prevailed at
for this high and exalted Office, the people
of this county made no mistake. In that
period of time you have, by your legal at
tainments, secured not merely the con-
tidenoe of and high appreciation of the
members of the bar, but you have, in your
under your personal supervision and con-
troll, proved that not only are you an able
and conscientious jurist, but that you are
in the highest sense of the term, a
gentleman. Perhaps in no instance is
this more appreciably felt than in the case
trial of causes, and as slight token of their
high conception of you as judge and gen
tleman they desire me at this time to per-
form the pleasing duty of presenting to you
a cane. Not with the expectation that the
arduous official duties which You will be
IN n ho n kYro v1i11
necessitate its use on account of physical
infrmity, but simply that it may serve as q
reminder that this present panel of jurors
may be considered by you as entertaining
for you, officially and personally. those
high feelings of regard to which have al
ready adverted.'
The Judge was taken by surprise. but ro-
sponded feelingly as follows:
~ thank you, Mr.. Nolan, very much.
This is a surprise, gentlemen. The first
Thought that jumps into my mind, while one
of gratitude. is yet one of embarrassment
in the thought that under some circum-
stances and at most times present to a
judicial officer would be inappropriately
bestowed by the donor and inapp.oprlately
received by. judge: for I am convinced
that he is the most useful judicial officer
who is the least swerved by the common
obligation of friendship between men; who
is farthest removed from contact with
active business life in the community, I
know too, gentlemen. that each of You
endorses these sentiments; but know full
we'll that in this act OF yours,
which precedes your final discharge
by the court, You are prompted
by the most kindly motives and feelings.
Your close attention to the evidence, and
your intelligent application of the law to
the evidence you have listened to, has won
for you the respect of this bar and of the
court alike. know of no verdict that has
been rendered by the panel of this petit
jury, with but one possible. exception. that
has not been fully warranted by the testi-
mony. and that will not, in time, stand the
crucial test of the highest appellate court
OF the state. Such record is commenda-
BILE and 3attering to you all. ! accept this
present and thank you cordially and sim
cerely. wish each one of you a Merry
Christmas and Happy New Year, and /
nope you may live long,. and that your
lives may continue useful IN the future,
Again thanking you for your fidelity as
Jurors. you may be discharged by the court
from further service.''
The jurors who were subscribers to the
gift were John Brayman, G. Benedict. O.
". Carpenter, Joseph Currah, Louis Davis.
Z. w. Duncan, S. II. Douglass, Edward
Frank. N. A.. Lovely. David Morris, Gilman
Riggs. M. l.. Stone, w. D. Smith, A.
Thomas, 0. Il. Totten, F. E. Tibbetts,
james Twiford. B. Webster, w. o. Harlan.
A. G. Votaw, Oliver Allen. |