Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1910-09-20
MADE HIM SING AS EVIDENCE.

/ MADE HIM SING AS EVIDENCE.
How a Shrewd Lawyer Won a Hope
less Case.
Sam Dysart and were law partners
at Lancaster, Mo-, some 25 or 30 years
ago, and it was one of the most con-
genial associations l have ever enjoy
ed," remarked Judge n. M. Shelton,
of the Second Judicial circuit, recently.
"One spring Sam was employed to
defend lot of country boys and girls
who were charged with disturbing re-
| ligious worship. The information al
| legged that by their boisterous laughter
and unseemly conduct they had bro
ken up the meeting. The worst Of it
was there seemed to be no defense.
They admitted they laughed loudly
right in the midst of the services.
Brother T. Spears, the preacher
was the prosecuting witness. He was
tall, serious man, and dreadfully in
earnest about this case. The prosecu-
tor, T. C. Tadlock, shared Brother
Spears Indignation over the outrage;
nothing could be more sacrilegious
than for youngsters to cut up in
church. In his opening statement to
prosecutor said here was a splendid
opportunity to teach budding anarch-
lists lesson lest they go on and on in
their evil ways and become confirmed
lawbreakers.
"'Call Mr.. Spears! said the prose-
cutting attorney.
THE tall preacher, with dignified
step and solemn countenance, took the
witness box, placed the palms of his
hands together, picture Of prosecuted
innocence. With pious earnestness he
described the little assembly in the
back country, how he had striven to
develop a desire for right living and
the commendable progress being
made. He spoke more in sorrow than
in anger concerning the inexcusable
conduct Of the young disturbers Of his
meeting, and felt certain that the only
way to save them from a life of crime
would be to inaict such punishment
here as would cause them to remember
ever after; he did not mean to be
harsh; he was only actuated by a feel
ing of eood towards the defendants-to
be just to them.
"yben the witness was turned over
r. him Sam couqbed IN the drv wav he
had and then began the examination:
Brother Spears Won led the meet
IN, that night ."
"I did sir,
".you nraved9
"T did sir,
".And nreachedq,
"J tried to,
"And sungq'
"I sung
".what did Won sinp?'
"0Tbere is q Fountain Filled. with
RIood" sir,
"Here Sam nuIed q hvmn hook ont
of his pocket and handed II TO the wit
ness with the remark:
".Please turn to that song, Brother
Shears
"The witness did so.
""That's what Won sunp that night p
"Tt 10 cir,
".yyeII stand I'm and sing II now If
Won nIease,
".What,'
lyon heard what I said, Brother
Shears
".Rut 7 can't sing before this sort of
crowd"
.No-no-but, YOU see
Your honor said Sam. turning to
the court, I insist that the witness
shall sing the song denominated in the
evidence lust as he did on the night of
the alleged disturbance. 1t is a part of
orr evidence and very important. The
reason for II will he disclosed later on
"There was a long iangle between
the LAWYERS and the court finally or
derad the witness to get I'm and sing.
".And mind Won Brother Spears'
cold Con, sariousIv 'vou must sing II
iust as Won did that night. If you
change q note Won will have to go back
and do il over again
mThe witness got I'D and opened the
hook There is q difference between
sineine- to q conereeation in svmpathv
with Won and q crowd of people in
court- room Brother Spears was pain
frlIv oonscious of the fact You know
how those o,d-time HYMNS are sung
in tho backwoods settlements. You
begin IN the basement and work I'D to
tho roof ond tben lean off from the
dizz,, beiebt and finish the line in the
ho,or,o,t Tbot,s tho wav the witness
ala 11a bod GOOD voice-tbat is II
gets out of whack he could utilize that
voice and wake the dead just as read
ily. 1t seemed to threaten the window
lights. The crowd didn't smile-it just
ya1Iad with laughter The iurymen