The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-10-30

led not long after, and believe that en-
~ounter with legal processes killed him."
In the Poyne's Run case suit was
brought against railroad company for
damages, the charge being made that the
channel of the stream had been contracted
by the company 10 a dangerous extent.
The defense sought to prove that the flood
causing the damage was so unusual and
tremendous that no foresight could have
provided against il. A witness was put on
the stand who had been in tropical re-
gions where floods descended in rainy sea-
sons, and who testified that he had never
seen anywhere such downpour as the
one that created the Poyne's run freshet
on this occasion. On being pushed by
Harrison, who represented the plaintiff.
he declared that a man standing out in
this ram was IN danger OF drowning.
Skilfuliy urged little further. and grow
ing emphatic and slightly combative, he
asserted that man at the top of Crown
hiil--the highest point of ground near In
dianapolis have been drowned.
After these absurd statements the defend
ants lost interest in their witness.
In the same Poyne's Run case, in which,
by the way, halt the lawyers in Indiana
polls were engaged on one side or the
other, Mr.. Harrison showed such an init
mate acquaintance with water engineer
ing, and such familiarity with the tech
nicaiiues of the ealing. that he was able
to meet the engineers and experts on their
own ground. Questioned afterward as TO
where he had acquired this knowledge he
said he had picked up much Of Il from
listening 10 the talk Of government en-
gineers while he Was serving on the Mis-
sissippi river commission.
Ii is necessary, OF course. for every law
yer To- inform himself as 10 the business
involved in litigation, but this Mr.. Harm
son did to All unusual extent. In a brew
cry case he could give points 10 the manu-
facturer on making beer; in a bridge case
he could question the builder With the in
tclhgence OF an expert engineer; IN med
ical ease he needed no physician at hand
60 prompt him. Being thus well equipped
he Was never taken unaNares. II the un-
expected did happen he was not without
resource. This thorough preparation.
added IL his seli-poise. selfcontroi and
dignity of manner, naturally gave nttle
room for the occurrence OF incidents. pie
turesque or dramatic, that illuminate the
pages of other LAWYERS experience.
Whatever might happen II Is not on rec
ord that be ever showed signs OF dlscom-
future or embarrassment.
THE only sign Of nervous strain or eN-
element thai | could ever detect" said
one who knew him well, was his habit
OF tossing a bunch uI keys, a knife or
some small object. from hand 10 hand
TIE more rapid taat motion Was made
the greater was the pressure"
TN az us utENtk, however, ne VAS
not safe from lrreverent assaults. Going
into court one morning the attorney tor
the other side a man whose practice was
far from heavy, failed 80 appear and was
sent for by the court ON arriving he vas
reprimsndei by the Judge Tor keeping
himself and Gen. Harrison waiting, 20
which he responded aIrily that u he we're
like Harrison and had bur one case he
could easily ~ on time.
On similar occasion the court repri.
manded another lawyer, an eX-iuiCe OF
somewhat uncertain temper. for keeping
Harrison waiting, the Judge Fetlrt3nS
hot.y that lie wished - hsNelt understood
thai ne was Just a good As Harrison -
To this the latter replied SlsnIiy. No
one doubts t.. iudee. bat 10 yol really
think you are behaving As well IhIs morn
ingf"
On one occasion Harrison made a power
f,lI argument in a ease IN = n.Ch he had
not previously appeared. Tao proposi-
tians were conceded ay the otaes side To be
true; third was ~ dispute. hut HARRISON
a. ,umed the correctness Of the thrce. and
or This basis hj- plea vas unansscrshle.
TIE laNyer WHO rose - reply SAIL the
character o. the argument Just closed re-
minded h IN az taV uoY - 40 dec AIRED 11at
'.Nrother or sister be had none. b1t taat
mans father was h.s fathers son II lie
or Y So utiau begns what the boy lied. Ills
lus .uuatCa ccuer.uIaE Harrison roOSed
horror and Indignation n the mint 81
Partner Miller. especially - the aufacious
attorney succeeded n knocking out the A.
guuent.
An incident II me Federal court caused
mGSA amusement to persons present be
fore the repeal .! the bankrupt .as Aarri-