The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-06-01
so Years of Cures.
JUDGE HOOK LET Err RIP"
Some Stories of Gov. HerscheI v
johnson when on the Bench.


johnson When on the Bench
Sylvania, Ga, May S1.-Judge J. S. Hook
used to tell of an amusing character in one
Of his counties when he was judge of the
superior court of this circuit. There was
a case against the fellow. and the officers
called him again and again at the court
house door, but in vain. After a while.
the judge saw a kind of queer looking citi-
zen, with il-fitting clothes and straggly
hair come saunteTing into the court room
and take his stand just outside the bar
railing. Impressed with the idea that per-
haps he was the one they wanted, and very
much out Of patience, his honor asked him
if he was the man they had been calling
so long. The fellow hooded his head in a
good humored way, and the judge said to
him very sternly:
There is case here on the docket
against you, sir, What do you propose
to do about itT'
The fellows good humor was not phased
in the slightest by the judges manner
Looking up. with utter unconcern-
Well" says he, Il propose to let 'er
rip ..- - ,.,-s,...
The answer and the manner in which It
was said proved too much for the judge
and he burst out into a laugh in which
the whole court Joined him. He gave the
fellow good lawyer to conduct his de-
Tense, and he was cleared of the charge
against him.
Judge Hook also told of young attor-
ney who had just started out to practice.
and who hadn't caught on to the technical
meaning of the term Surprise" as used
by the lawyers The opposing counsel
had sprung a new issue on him. which the
young lawyer was not prepared to meet.
The presiding judge, seeing that he did
not know what move to make, thought 10
help him out by asking:
Mr.. Blank, are you surprised?"
Seeing the judge apparently on his side
the young barrister sprang to his feet
and shaking his finger at the other coun-
sci, exclaimed:
why, if your honor please, am per-
fectly astounded.''
Judge Herschel V. johnson. who presid-
ed over the courts of the Middle circuit for
a number of years, could never, with his
gigantic intellect, understand the tables of
consanguinity and affinity laid down I'm
the law books. While holding court at
Sylvania on one occasion, a distinguished
lawyer attempted, in a lengthy explana-
tion, to make a disputed point Of relation
ship clear to the judges mind. When he
had concluded the judge told him that
there were two things he never could
learn-one was to trace relationships, and
the other to play backgammon. Another
lawyer employed on the case then took
the tables laid down in Blackstone, and
after a skillful explanation thought that
he had made il clear to his honor's mind.
But the judge only shook his head and
murmured: "The fog thickens."
Judge Johnson's charges to the grand
jury are still talked about by the citizens
of Screven, though it has been many years
since the noble old Roman passed away.
His charges were masterpieces of patriot
ic and fiery eloquence. On one occasion
he denounced the crime OF carrying con-
cealed weapons so powerfully that when
the grand jury went to their room, sever
al Of the body drew pistols from their
pockets, ana, laying them on the table,
presented themselves for the offense.
Judge Johnson did not believe in divor-
ces. once, when a jury here had granted
a man a total separation from his wife
an ofhcious juryman, not knowing his pre-
judice, went up to him when the court add
journed and asked him what he thought
Of their verdict With a look of whitening
scorn, the governor replied:
Think of ~ Why sir, / think you are
all set OF perJured scoundrels!"
When Judge Holt OF Augusta, was pre-
siding over the superior court Of this cir
cult years ago, screven county citizen.
who had imblbed too freely OF the ardent
came to the front door OF the court room
while court was in session, and shouted at
the top of his voice:
Judge Holt, I'm a horse"
The judge. seeing his condition. only
smiled and left him for the bailiffs. The
happy citizen. however. advanced on TO
the front Of the stand, and shouted again.
Judge Holt, I'm a horse"
With marvellous good humor the Judge
then turned to the officer OF the court
and said:
MIR. Sheriff, please put that horse In the
stable"
-Dr nouatA roctor ~ Trinity F.,tacopai