Griggs courier. (Cooperstown, Griggs Co., Dak. [N.D.]) 1885-1902, 1900-08-23
THE TRUE STORY OF
HENNESSYS LAWSUIT


IT was after lunch at the club. Over
in corner of the library where the
smoke was thickest an old man, evil
IDENTIFY visitor, was sitting upright
on the edge of big leather arm
chair. Gregory. who had introduced
the old gentleman as Maj. Barnes,
an old friend of my father's-in town
for the day." was trying to be en-
Pertaining while he smoked, but the
weather was hot and nobody helped.
Major Gregory remarked with a
yawn, just after a poor joke of Buff
um's had fallen fiat, tell us that
story about that old lawsuit"
The majors eyes began to twinkle.
He responded promptly.
Chat was the case of Buggy vs..
Hennessy. Buggy had procured sum-
mons for Hennessy, which had been
issued and served, and on the return
day two double sledloads Of people
from the lower end of our county
came driving up and filled the little
courtroom full. 1 was justice of the
peace then-am yet, in fact, and have
been this 40 years Well, case was
called. James X. Buggy, plaintiff,
smooth sort of lawyer there in our
town. answered for Buggy. Gillette
was his name Your father knew him
we'll, Gregory. Timothy Hennessy, de-
PENDANT, and an old Yankee of the
name of Hadley was on his feet for
Hennessy
'First thing in order, of course, was
reading the bill of particulars. Tim
othy Hennessy to James X. Buggy,
Dr., for digging we'll "a feet deep, at
one dollar a foot, $24; credit by cash
$14; balance, $40
II had hardly finished reading it
before Hennessy's lawyer said: That
bills all right. We admit it,
"'You do says Gillette. You adj
NIT this bill?'
"'Yes, certainly.
"'Well, then. your honor says Gill
lette, we've nothing more 20 say. We
rest
"'Well. Mr.. Hadley I said, what
have you to say to this??
Simply this, your honor, drawlec
old Hadley We want to offset ou1
damages. We intend to prove that Mr.
Hennessy's well went dry, and that
in consequence. he was compelled t.
haul water from the creek. Ions
distance off. and was at great troubl,
and expense for men and teams
"'All right, Hadley,' l said Cal
your witnesses
Flanagan, come up here, say
Hadiey. Flanagan came striding-;
big, tousle-bearded six-footer, in
brown knit shirt, decorated with sus
penders.
'''Stand there and be sworn say
Hadley. Flannigan's left hand Wen
up and his big left foot went out
planting itself halfyard in front 0
the other-so. Right hand. snappe
Hadley, and Flanagan shifted to tn
right hand and foot like dancing ele
plant.
Now. Mr.. Flannigan.' Hadley be
gan. when the oath had been admir-
istered. do you know these parties
"Flannigan pretended to look bt
wildered. and pretended mighty wei
too PARTIES, is it? An is it PART,
then? Shure, a thocht it was Il law
suit
"Hadley cleared his throat. M
Flanngar,' he repeated, sternly, d
you know Mr.. Hennessy, here?'
"'Av coorse | do know him! y
know it yerself that l know hin
An is it a question like that yen /
wantin' to AK me-
Very well-you know him. [
you know anything about his havin
we'll dug?
CAV coorse know that Buggy dr
him a well. An is it Twin in ii
wurrld l am an seem nothin' wi,
me eyes, do ye thnk??'
'Hadley began to get on an awf
dignity. Tell me what you kno
about that wells going dry?
'''Divil bit at all know why wei
go dry I'm no well-digger AK Bugs
why it went dry
Look here, Flanagan; you mea
ured that we'll, didn't YOU?
"'Av coorse l did measure it..
"'And how deep was it?'
"'An' why should be after tellin'
that? Shure. an it's free chan
an We can go measure it yersclf if
want to know
"I don't want to know. man.
""rhcn what did We AK me for?'
"'The court has to know