Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1901-05-22

ers like Vest, instead of narrow-mind-
ed, bull-headed dictators like some 9TH
er men who are trying to run the par
ty.-Atlanta Journal.
COURT ROOM TALES.
Some Georgia Stories That Garry
Points of Humor.
Judge J. S. Hook used to tell Of an
amusing character in one Of his coun-
ties when he was judge Of the superior
court Of this circuit. There was case
against the fellow and the officers call
him again and again at the court house
door; but in vain. After awhile the
Judge saw kind Of queer-looking cit
izen, with ill-fitting clothes and strag-
ely hair, come sauntering into the
court room and take his stand just out
side the bar railing. Impressed with
the idea that perhaps 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 nodded his head In good
humored way, and the judge said to
him very sternly:
There Is q case on the docket
against you, sir. What do you pro-
pose to do about it?"
The fellows good humor was not
phased in the least by the judges man.
ner. Looking up with utter unconcern,
WELL" says he, II propose to let 'er
rip"
The answer and the manner In which
1t was said were so ridiculous that the
Judge could restrain himself no longer
but burst into a laugh, In which the
whole court joined him. He gave the
fellow a good lawyer to conduct his de-
fense, and he was cleared Of the charge
against him.
Judge Hook also told Of young at
torney who had just started out to
practice, and who hadn't caught on to
the technical 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 to 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
counsel, exclaimed:
"Why. If your honor please, I am per-
fectly astounded!"
Judge Herschel V. Johnson, who pre-
sided over the courts Of the middle cir
cult for a number Of years, could never,
with his gigantic intellect, understand
the tables of consanguinity and affinity
laid down in the law books. While
holding court at Sylvanla on one occa-
sion a distinguished lawyer, In a very
lengthy explanation, tried to make a
disputed point of relationship clear to
the judges mind. When he had con-
cluded, the governor told him that
there were two things he never could
learn-one was to trace relationships,
and the other was to play backgam-
mon. Another lawyer employed on the
case then took the tables laid down in
Blackstone, and after careful and
skillful explanation, thought that he
had made it clear to his bonor's mind.
But the governor only shook his head
and murmured: 1.-THE fog thickens."
Judge Johnson's charges to the grand
Jury here 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 mas
terpieces of fiery and patriotic elo-
uuence. On one occasion he denounced
the crime Of carrying concealed weap-
ons so powerfully that when the grand
Jury went to their room, several of the
body drew pistols from their pockets
and laying them on the table presented
themselves for the offense.
Judge Johnson did not believe in di-
vorces. Once when jury had granted
man total separation from his wife.
an officious juryman, not knowing his
prejudices, went up to him when the
court adjourned and asked him what
he thought of their verdict. With a
look of whitening scorn the governor
replied:
"Think Of it. Why, sir, think you
are all a set Of perjured scoundrels!"
When Judge Holt, Of Augusta. was
presiding over the Superior court OF
this circuit, years ago, Screven coun-
ty citizen who had imbibed too freely of
the ardent, came to the front door of
the court room while court was in ses-
sion and shouted at the top Of his
voice:
Judge Holt, I'm 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 shout
ed again:
Judge Holt, I'm a horse"
With marvellous good humor the
Judge then turned to the officer Of the