The evening times., 1897-12-20
LAWYER AT SEVEN YEARS.
Byron Gilbert. 81 Topeka. Kan.
Passes an Ex{mination.

Topeka, Hans. Dec. 20.-Byron Howse
Gilbert, stSen years OF age. who has re
ceived from the clerk Of the Kansas su
preme court a certiffcate Of admission T.,
the lar OF that tribunal for the practice
OF law, to take effect when he shall reach
his maturity, was born In AtchisOn, Kans
His father, w. d. Gilbert, is a lawyer
and has served his sSoqpty as prosecuting
| attorney and judge,
The hoy took hisi fifst lessons at the
age of two years, #heh he began to talk
His father taught him simple propositions
OF law and by giving him a daily drill
succeeded in. providing him with store
OF information which caused the supreme
court justices to oIen their eyes in as
tonishment. when the child appeared before
them.
Judge Gilbert on saturda US, and other
lays when school is not in session. takes
the lad to the courtroom. Byron is IA g.
niiliar with the legal phrases and read
lily understands what the attorneys are
discussing. A few days ago tre father
led the boy before the supreme court
justices in chambers and requested them
to examine him for admission. They all
took the proposition as n .oke, and Chier
SNSe'NN DN'eSA iuNa y tltsItGu al
him. He answered it SO promptly and
with such a confident air that tie JUS
tices We're startled.
The chief justice asked: ..what is Iawo''
The boy promptly replied with B!a *
stones definition Other questions aske.,
by the chief Justice and answered lay
Byr"- follow:
What is murder?
Where you kill a person.
What is homicide?
Where you Kill a nj an.
What is fractricide?
To kill your brother.
What is NJ matricide?
Where you kill Your mother.
What is arson?
To burn a house.
What is larceny?
To steal something.
What is grand larceny?
To steal big things.
What is petit larceny?
To steal little things.
What is felony?
When a man is sent to to the penitentiary.
What is a misdemea nor?
When a man is sent to jail.
Can youswaer a witness?
Yes sir.
Do SO.
1ne Juv emile candidate raised his right
hand and said: '.The witness will be
swOrn.' and then went through the form
OF administering the prescribed oath COR
rectly.
The certificate given the boy was as fol-
lows:
STATE OF KANSAS, SUPREME COURT.
To all whom these presents shall come
Greeting:
Know ye that Byron HOwse Gilbert. Of
Atchison. Kans.. now seven years Of age.
a citizen OF the United States nd of the
State OF Kansas, apd who expects to be-
come regular practtcing attorney and
counsellor at law In all the district and
Inferior courts OF the State OF Kansas when
he shall have attained'the age of twenty
one years. Will then be entitled (he to be a
good mani to be dufy submitted TO practice
In the supreme courpofkhs State OF Kansas.
he having this day passed splendid ex-
animation before the justices or this tri-
bunal.
Ia witness whereof 4. the undersigned,
CLERK OF the supren court OF the State OF
Kansas. have hereunto' Bet my ha nd anda
fixed the seal or satd court. at my office
in Topeka. the 14th day OF December, A.
d. 1897. u JOHN MARTIN,
Clark Supreme Court.
The certificate. 10 which was attached
an immense gold seal siwas proudly bor le
away by its youthful owner.
Chief Justice Doster' declared that By-
ron Gilbert was. tie most reuarka,,ie tuy
he had ever seen. He is a wonder
the chief justice said. His knowledge
OF legal Questions is simply marvellous. |
and would defy telief IL rot lacked py |
indisputablc evidence |
Byron told tie men who were present |
at his examination that he was Re
publican and Methodist. He said &C
believed IN a protective tariff aud bimei- |
alism. He was in favor of Cuban in |
and the annexation of Hawaii |
Ec said that he would rather talk % |
his father about law than play marbles |
he expressed a rondness fer |
some kinds of sport and exercise. He |
likes to rido his rony and his wheel. and |
Us he will play football when he gets |
big enough.