Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-01-13


then going through the Episcopal
services. recitIng in loud tones his
own revisions, wherein he had omit
ted all reference to the Trinity.
His death occurred in the autumn
of 1898, when a passenger on a
schooner from Pownalboro to Boston
The vessel was lost in n storm at sea
and all on board persisted"
In those days the necessities de
veloped a class of men who were per-
mitted to practice in the courts and
who perhaps may properly be termed
quasi lawyers. They were generally
men OF education and clerical expert
ence, frequently graduates of Hary
ard, but their legal learning was only
superficial and fragmentary. yet they
were often of much assistance. This
was especially true in Cumberland
county. as no regular lawyers were
there until the county was organized
Yet, we should never lose sight of the
fact that these primitive times de-
veloped strong characters and great
lawyers at the Bar of Maine. The
old fashioned lawyer worked without
frills, show or publicity. None of his
successors have maintained the an
cient dignity of the high office. The
celebrated John Alfred Poor at that
time took a great railroad case and
put In bill for IS day for a period
Of six weeks The heart of the
bountifully paid railroad attorney OF
these times would probably throb
with indignation at this.
The first term Of the Supreme Ju-
dicial court in Kennebec county was
held at Augusta on the third Tuesday
next following the fourth Tuesday of
June last (being July l6 A. D., 1899.
Justices, Robert Treat Paine. The
ophilus Bradbury, Thomas Dawes,
Jr. John Davis, Clerk.
There seems to be no record of any
examining committee" during the
early years Of the court in this coun-
ty.
From the Bar Rules of Kcnnebec
| county, adopted at tho December
term of the Court of Common Pleas.
1910, is taken the following:
No business shall be done at a Bar
meeting, unless six members are
present. Every member shall be liza
BILE TO pay fine of one dollar, to BE-
disposed of by the Bar, who shall
neglect TO attend a Ear meeting.
! after receiving due notice from the
Secretary thereof, unless a reason
able excuse can be given.
The sum of money which every
student shall be required to pay for
i his law education shall be two hun
dred and fifty dollars
| No gentleman shall be recon-
mended for admission 10 the G. C.. L.
unless he shall have studied law for
| one year in the Office of Counselor
| of the Supreme judicial Court, in
this County.
At the September term. 1900 Asa
hel Blake. il, indicted for conspiracy,
was convicted and sentenced: 1T is
thereupon considered by the Court
that the said Asahel Blake Jr, be put
in the pillory for the space of one
hour in some public place, be impris-
oned for the term of six months from
the 9th day of September current ="
AT the September Term. 1901, in
dictment Of the Inhabitants of Vas
salboro for not having "A minister
And now the said town having
procured a minister and paid the
costs. the solicitor General SAYS he
will no further prosecute this indict-
mcnt."
Timothy Hill indicted and tried at
the. September term of the Supreme
judicial Court. Kennebec County.
1902 for the crime of theft. He was
convicted. after trial and sentenced
as follows: Also that the said Tim
i othy Hill shall be put upon the Cal
lows FOR the space of one hour, with
| ~ rope around his neck and one end
thereof cast over the Gallows: and
shall be severely whipped fifteen
stripes, and shall pay the cost of this
prosecution and stand committed tin-
til this sentence shall he performed.
! And the court further order that said
Timothy shall pay the said Pitts and
| Soule (the complainants) the sum %
| twelve hundred dollars, being with
the good restored. treble the value ~
the goods stolen. And if the said
timothy be unable to pay the same
the SAID Pitts and Soule are autho..
lzed to dispose of the said Timothy
IN service to any person whatever
Tor the term of twelve years. COM
mencinG from and after TIE second
uay of October current"
1t is nearly impossible for thr
lawyer of 1920 to realize the adverse
conditions, as compared with fine
present time. which his brother az
the profession encountered in obtain
ing a legal education in 1920. Law
DOCKS were rare and expensive dur
ing and for many years following the.
Revolution. Until within the past
quarter of century, the Maine law
yer who graduated from q school OF
1 law was quite the rare exception. For
| example, lawyers of such achieve
ments as John Appleton. Joseph W
Symonds. Nathan CIeaves. William
Pitt Fessenden. Josiah Crosby. vii
liam +. Frye and Thomas j. Reed
were graduates of Bowdoin, but
never entered law school This
was fact although the Harvard
college of law was established rs
carly as 1917 and that eminent
Maine lawyer, Simon Greenleaf, was
for some years one of its faculty.
Among those of the Maine b9r
who have engaged ins political affairs
80 have been members Of the Ma
tional House of Representatives and
10 have served in the United States
Senate. There have also been ~
lawyers who were among the Cover.
nors of Maine, including Governor