Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-06-06
THE NECESSARY BATH.
WEBSTER'S FIRST LAW CASE.
How He Brought Some New Hampshire
Selectmen to Time.


Selectmen to Time.
Richard b. Kimball in New York Times
l can probably furnish to the readers of the
Times Daniel Webster's earliest experience in
managing difficult legal case. give it on the
authority of my father, for the scene dates back
to 1905
At that period there was no good road from
what were called the PORTS" to wit, the towns
of Boston, Salem, Newburyport and Ports
mouth, through the state Of New Hampshire to
the Connecticut river at the point now known
as White River Junction The means of COM
munication Sere SO wretchedly bad that the
merchants could not send goods to the interior
except at great Inconvenience. The legislature
of New Hampshire finally chartered the Fourth
New Hampshire Turnpike 70 be constructed
over tine route mentioned The stock was prin-
clpally taken in the towns or the seaboard and
tEs corporation of Portsmouth itself subscribed
largely to the undertaking. special FAX was
levied to meet the subscription, the money col
lected and paid into the treasury. This money
was only to DC paid over to the turnpike COM
pary when the road had been finished to GER
tain point.
Ny father was tine engineer for the upper
part OF the road. and when all was ready the
proper documents were prepared to verify
what ha6 been done. These were taken b. III m
to the Office of Judge Thompson in Boscawen.
the attorney fer the turnpike company. give
what follows in my fathers own words:
''On handing the papers to Judge THOMPSON
he told me he would send his son-in-law. who
Was his partner, Immediately to Portsmouth.
and requested me TO call in a couple OF DAYS.
when the money would be ready for me- Al
the appointed time ] was at his Office His
partner had returned without The money. Ii
seems there had been change of political par
ties. and the new selectmen decided that the
action of their predecessors unconstitu-
tional and declared they intended TO test the
questions in the court.
Il was dumbfounded. / had felt sure of the
money. The company was in great need of it.
and knew how much this failure would en-
barrass them. My face must have exhibited
intense disappointment. Suddenly Judge
Thompson exclaimed:
II believe L will send Dam
AT this thin face was turned up from a
desk near by, showing pair OF imme nse black
eyes and swarthy visage. 1t was Daniel Web
ster, then twenty-five or twenty-three years
old He was law student in Judge Thomp-
sons office and had nearly finished his
course.
= Yes, will send Dam Judge Thompson re-
peated. Come again in three DAYS
''All his time Dan did not utter a word, but
continued his reading.
AT :he end of three DAYS returned. Young
Webster had collected the money. 1 exchanged
Judge Ihompsons private office asked how it
was done. This was his explanations:
Taking letter OF introduction to the
judges correspondent in Portsmouth Young
Webster presented himself and asked permis-
sion to use his Office to transact little bust
hess He at once proceeded to issue in Judge
ihompsons name separate writs for each of
the town officials. holding each to bail, after
the practice OF that time, in his individual ca
Paclty. The sheriff was sent for. the writs put
IN his hands with directions to serve immedi-
ateiy and to inform the persons against whom
they ran that Judge Thompson's representative
would be for that day at the Office designated.
In q short time they came running in
Young man, said the spokesman. Won are
making mistake. You should sue the corpo-
ration. We as individuals have nothing TO do
with the matter"
You are yourselves mistaken, gentlemen
was the reply. The corporation has nothing
to do with 1t. for the corporation has done III
duty. 1 prosecute You individually for NAL.
feasance in Office. The money has been paid
| in for this specific purpose, and the turnpike
company viii hold each Of you personally re-
sponsible for heavy damages for obstructing itu
works
Tho result was that the proper order was
signed and the money paid the next morning. -
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