The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1898-01-04
LEW WALLACES STORY.
Case in His Early Practice for Which
He Was Fined 500 by the Presiding
Judge.

Judge.
IL dianapols Sentinel.
Gen. Lew Wallace was in the city
the other day, and was telling stories
with Judge Baker, Of the Federal
court.
You know old Judge Bryan, of
Rockville, of course said General
Wallace. Well, | had an experience
with him as u young lawyer which
shall never forget. | mad been ad-
mitted but short time, when one day
the bar was scattered around the court
room and some fellow was brought in
for burglary. The fellow to tell the
truth, had been around to my Office
trying to get me to defend him, but
the evidence was SO strong against
him that declined, for knew he was
guilty. You knew jim Wilson, didn't
you? Well, he had gone to jim also,
and he had declined to take the ca, o
for the same reason.
The prisoner was arraigned that
day and the court asked him ii he
wanted lawyer to defend him. He
did. Looking around over the court
room the court said very delibera tely ::
Mr.. Wallace you will defend this
prisoner, and, Mr.. Wilson you will be
associated in the Defense
II walked over to jim and asked
him what he was going to do. Why
said he the fellow is clearly guilty,
and he will be convicted We can't
afford to take the case. We will de-
cline
81 walked back to my seat and Jim
arose. If the court pleases' said he.
must decline to take the defense OF
this man for reasons which to mo are
sufficient
"The court turned around to me and
| repeated the sentiment. Very
we'll, said the judge. Mr.. Clerk, you
| will enter up u fine of $50 each against
these two gentlemen
"Well, Jim and i'd another con
sultation, and we decided that there
was but one thing to do, and that was
to take the case, as neither of US had
$50 to spare. We announced to the
court that we had reconsidered the
matter and would take the case.
" We had long talk with our client
and found from him that he had 8
whole ighborhood OF relatives over
in Wayne county who would swear u
anything, and we sent for them to at
terd the trial.
"The next term the case came W
and the prosecution proved abou
everything that was necessary. Tht
prosecutor moved to have the court in
struct the jury for COMPLETION at once
We objected and created sensation
by announcing that we had some wit
nessrs.
Well, we brought in that flock o
relatives, every one OF whom eithe
was with or had seen the prisoner ii
Wayne county not only on the day tn
the burglary was committed, but 70
several days before and afterward, an
the jury brought In a verdict OF &C
quittal without leaving their seats.
"Jim aud / got out right away an
| didn't show our faces around the cour
! room for the rest of the day. Thing
looked menacing. The Judge was tel
ribly mad, and for the rest Of the da
l the poor lawyers with cases and mt
tiops Jared BADLY.
! THAT evening we both received
> summons from the Judge and we feare
D trouble. We went together to whel
3 he was stopping, and walked into h
. room. There he sat, grim and glo'
ering. Without saying word
Q walked over and shut the door behir
n him, and then turned around. To o,
8 great surprise there was broad gr
d on his face and he walked to Gu
r board and pulled out bottle and son
o glasaes. You fellows ought both
n sent ~ jail, said he. but guess l
n let you go this time
}. But Judge Bryan wouldn't rem
3 the fines. He said he guessed he won
q let them stand as q reminder tn
{, those things couldn't happen very oft
10 In mis- court, and they remained on t
,s DOCKET against us for several yea
ID 1 believe one Of the last official acts
30 old Judge Bryan was to order the
10 cancelled