The Sunday globe., 1901-05-19
THE ART GALLERY
AT Chamberlain'S the Scene of a
Gambling Story.
MAHONE, REED, AND JOE CANNON
In a Stiff Game Of Poker, are Broken in Upon
BY an U. S. Judge In Search Of a Ralse-The
Same in Which Judge David Davis Sat -Four
Days with Joe Cannon and Judge MOlane,
Court and Bar Escape Indictment.

Judge McLane, former resident and
burgher of Springfield, H., was speaking
of the good old times the lawyers had
nearly half a century ago in that town to
reporter of The Sunday Globe at a
downtown hotel. Said the Judge; 1--WE
had a very able bar and mighty clever
set of young fellows at the period of
which l speak. recall just now story
the incidents Of which happened at cer-
tain court in my state. In those days we
had to ride on horseback to attend the
courts. 1t was before railroads had
girded the state as now. Joe Cannon,
the present Congressman from Illinois,
came from Springfield, poor, struggling
young saddle-bag lawyer, to make his
start in life. The older members of the
bar took kindly to Joe and pushed him
along as much as they could.
"There was prosecuting attorney to be
elected by the people in our district. We
advised Joe to run for the office, but he
put up the plea that hehad not the money
to make the canvass.
"'Barkus is willing, but without the
means," said Joe.
1--WE raised a sufficient amount and
started the young son of Blackstone to
make the race for the Office. He took the
stump and showed much energy i'm the
campaign, and by the help of strong
friends was elected. David Davis was
judge of the district, afterwards on the
supreme bench of the United States and
L. S. Senator. A new county had been
formed in the circuit, and the courthouse
was a good days ride from Springfield.
When the time for court to meet occurred,
the lawyers from a distance would try TO
reach the village on a Saturday night, so
as to rest on Sunday, ready for work on
Monday morning. There was at that
time a very strict law in the state against
any kind OF gam bling. At this term OF
the Supreme Court of which | speak
David Davis was the presiding Judge.
Joe Cannon, ED. Baker, Ward Lamar,
Dan Norhees, and myself started on Sat
urday morning tor this new courthouse.
We reached the village about night after
hard days ride across the prairie.
There we met several otherlawyers from
different places in the circuit. Judge
Davis and tue bedistrictattorney weregiven
the best rooms in the tavern, and the
landlord and servants lavished their at
tentions profusely on the two. After we
had finished our supper it was proposed
by some one to go into Judge Davis
room and have game OF cards, to which
all consented.
"The game was opened in good order,
the Judge and District Attorney Cannon
taking hand. We played until the
tavern bell rang for breakfast on Sunday
morning. We adjourned for the meal
and a short recreation, but active busi-
ness was soon resumed. The game be-
came interesting as the day rolled by and
continued through the night until Mon
day morning. We took a recess for
break fast and to get ready for court
which met at 10 o'clock. Among the
party in the game of cards was a gentle
man who was reading law under Oliver
Davis, a cousin of the Judge. Oliver
lived in the village. When the grand
jury was called this same student was
one Of the Jurors. Being very bright
fellow, the Judge named him foreman of
the grand Jury. The members of the bar
looked at each other and wondered what
on earth the judge was thinking about
A motion was made by oliver Davis to
nave lnt uldu ulSCuaIBSus bub 0uhBO
Davis said no. Ward Shannon made an
appeal, followed by Dan voorhees,, ED
Baker and Others, but the Judge did not
seem to understand what this meant, his
bar being so anxious to have the young
man discharged.
at looked as though we would all be in
dicted; at last District Attorney Joe Can
nonwentup TO the judge ndintormed him
that the foreman that he had selected
was member of the card party that bad
been playing in his room for the past
forty eight hours.
els that the fellow that won $50 from
me last night said Judge Davis.
"'He is the same fellow replied Can
non. Then the Judge remarked to the
young man that he was excused from
jury service for that term OF his court.
"When the court adjourned for dinner