USA > Michigan > Newaygo County > Portrait and biographical album of Newaygo County, Michigan : containing portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county also containing a complete history of the county, from its earliest settlement to the present time > Part 55
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Newaygo County has never had a large debt. It has negotiated small loans at several times, for poor farm, county buildings, or temporary purposes. In 1882, about $15,000 were paid on indebtedness; in 1883, several thousands more have been paid, and, at the present writing, the county has bonds outstand- ing amounting only to $4,500.
Jan. 10, 1882, the 21st and last township was organized, by the name of Goodwell, out of township 14 north, range I I west. The first annual meeting was appointed to be held at the school-house in district No. 8, on the first Monday in April succeed- ing, and John Bennett, James Bennett and Joseph Graham were named as Inspectors of meeting.
"RUSSELL COUNTY."
HE normal size of a county is 16 townships, or a square tract 24 miles long, and of the same width. Newaygo, Kent and Mont- calm, adjacent counties, all exceed the size of a " model county," and the idea has been broached at different times in the last 15 years of forming a new county, by detaching portions of each of these counties. This plan has not yet gained the favor of the Legislature, which is the arbiter on such matters. In the early part of 187 1, a bill was introduced into the Legislature to create a county to be called " Russell," by taking eight townships from Kent, four from Montcalm and four from Newaygo. The struggle over this measure was perhaps the hardest in that session. The opposition to the scheme was skillfully managed by the Hon. E. L. Gray, of Newaygo, and the bill, notwithstanding a strong pressure brought to bear in its favor by an active lobby, was badly beaten on the order of its final passage, after a strong debate and keen strategy. The vote was 49 nays against 36 yeas. A motion to reconsider was also defeated.
The people of the southern part of Newaygo would rather lose the northern part of the county, than to see the southeastern part detached, as in the latter event the county seat would most surely be removed from the village of Newaygo. Probably the
497
NEWAYGO COUNTY.
county will be divided some time ; but in the present state of development of the country, it is certainly not a wise policy for the State to increase the number of its counties, by. decreasing their size and wealth. The more counties there are, necessarily, the more county governments, each with its full body of county officers, and the more jails, county houses, almshouses, county printing and county expenses generally there must be; and every additional one swells just so much the total amount of taxation, present and future, in the State. Newaygo is yet a poor county comparatively, and the year 1900 will be soon enough to reduce its size.
THE PRESENT BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
consists of 21 members, as follows :
Township.
Supervisor.
Ashland
Orvin T. Headley
Barton
James Duffy
Beaver
Benjamin Candee
"'
Big Prairie
James Barton
Bridgeton
Frank W. Squier
Brooks
William Glanville
Croton
David Collins
Dayton
S. V. Walker
Denver
W. A. Anderson
Ensley
George Wright
Everett
J. Ohrenberger
Garfield
F. M. Pike
Goodwell
John Russell H. C. Cole
Grant
Lincoln
L. R. Fenton
Monroe
Lemuel C. Hartt
Norwich
Charles Neale
Sheridan
A. G. Meade
Sherman
Lafayette Waters
Troy
Frank A. Basford
Wilcox
R. S. Trask
SUPERVISORS OF NEWAYGO COUNTY.
1852-3 .- Isaac D. Merrill (Chairman), E. H. Utley, Christopher Culp and John Betts.
1853-4 .- James Barton (Chairman), John A. Brooks, I. D. Merrill and J. Ryan.
1854-5 .- James Barton (Chairman), Isaac D. Merrill, Sullivan Armstrong and Hugh Rice.
1855-6 .- James Barton (Chairman), George Back- art, Ashley B. Furman, Alfred A. Maguire and Sullivan Armstrong.
1856-7 .- James Barton (Chairman), John A. Brooks, Alfred A. Maguire, Ephraim H. Utley, Christopher Culp, Alfred A. Maxim and Daniel Weaver.
1857-8 .- James Barton (Chairman), C. J. Bigelow, Hiram Baker, Sullivan Armstrong, I. D. Merrill,
Melvin Scott, Loyal Palmer and J. H. Cogswell. 1858-9 .- Ephraim Utley (Chairman), George Ful- ler, James Barton, Melvin Scott, W. L. Stewart, Theodore Wilson, Loyal Palmer, I. D. Merrill, Jesse C. Shaw and George I. Barker.
1859-60 .- James Barton (Chairman), Justus C. Hubbard, Andrew Squires, George Backart, Melvin W. Scott, Augustus A. Kellogg, Isaac H. Cogswell, Sullivan Armstrong, Benjamin H. Coolbaugh, Jesse Barker and Luther Cobb (the two last, of Mecosta County, became the Board of Supervisors of that county in 1859).
1860-1 .- James Barton (Chairman), Sullivan Arm- strong, Laban Putnam, Amasa B. Watson, Sidney Seacord, George Backart, Everett Douglass, John V. Crandall, Isaac H. Cogswell and Melvin W. Scott.
1861-2 .- James Barton (Chairman), Alfred F. Armstrong, Amasa B. Watson, James M. Hyatt, George Backart, Melvin W. Scott, Ransom E. French, Everett Douglass, Isaac H. Cogswell and A. Squires.
1862-3 .- James Barton (Chairman), Alfred F. Armstrong, Warren P. Adams, Isaac D. Merrill, James M. Hyatt, George Backart, Melvin W. Scott, Everett Douglass, John V. Crandall, Jonas Waters.
1863-4 .- James Barton (Chairman), John A. Brooks, jr., Everett Douglass, Tracy Woodard, Mel- vin W. Scott, Wm. Martin, Zera Misner, George Fuller, Nathaniel L. Garish, Jerome A. Bottsford, Dexter P. Glazier and Charles Carmichael.
1864-5 .- James Barton (Chairman), Alfred F. Armstrong, W. N. Bevier, Amasa B. Watson, Charles Carmichael, Jacob Barnhard, Smith Cook, C. J. Bige- low, Wm. Martin, Zerah Misner, J. B. Jewell and John L. McLain.
1865-6 .- James Barton (Chairman), Milo White, Carlos Marsh, Amos Slater, Amasa B. Watson, George Backart, William Martin, Smith Cook, Everett Douglass and Thomas Stewart.
1866-7 .- James Barton (Chairman), Milo White, Lemon D. Reynolds, William T. Howell, Amos Sla- ter, George Backart, William Martin, Everett Doug- lass, Abram Terwilliger and John Delamater.
1867-8 .- James Barton (Chairman), Milo White, William D. Fuller, William Martin, Smith Cook, Willard M. Howell, William A. Anderson, Andrew J. Squires, William Davenport, George Backart, Everett Douglass, Samuel W. Glover and Charles W. Stone. 1868-9 .- James Barton (Chairman), Milo White,
498
NEWAYGO COUNTY.
Amos Slater, Augustus Paddock, William Daven- port, Arthur Truesdell, W. W. Irons, John Brother- ton, William A. Haskins, Everett Douglass, Ransom E. Erench, Stephen L. Marvin, Willard M. Howell and Charles W. Stone.
1869-70 .-- James Barton (Chairman), Milo White, Stephen L. Marvin, A. J. Spencer, W. D. Fuller, Alonzo Yates, Charles W. Stone, H. W. Craford, Frank H. Hooker, Amos Slater, B. H. Cool- baugh, M. W. Scott, George Backart and R. E. French.
1870-71 .- James Barton (Chairman), Sullivan Armstrong, Wilkes L. Stuart, F. H. Hooker, Alonzo Yates, Amos Slater, George Backart, A. J. Spencer, Melvin W. Scott, C. J. Bigelow, R. E. French, J. H. Shaw, Charles W. Stone and Willard M. Howell.
1871-2 .-- James Barton (Chairman), Sullivan Armstrong, William D. Fuller, Francis H. Hooker, Alonzo Yates, Amos Slater, William Rice, Melvin W. Scott, A. J. Spencer, C. J. Bigelow, T. S. Frey, D. C. Hyde, Benjamin Alton and R. M. Curtice.
1872-3 .-- James Barton (Chairman), Sullivan Arm- strong, Sanford Brown, Amos Slater, Alburtus Andrus, Luther Dodge, William Rice, A. J. Spencer, Parley E. Howe, C. J. Bigelow, R. E. French, David Hebel, Willard Barton, Charles W. Stone and Henry C. Stone.
1873-4 .- James Barton (Chairman), Alfred F. Armstrong, John A. Brooks, Alfred A. Maxim, James Barton, Alburtus Andrus, Eugene Decker, David Collins, J. B. Jewell, Solon Webster, C. J. Bigelow, Ransom E. French, David Hebel, Abraham Ten Eyck, Charles W. Stone and R. M. Curtice.
1874-5 .- James Barton (Chairman), Sullivan Arm- strong (part of year succeeded by S. W. Peterson), George H. Brown, T. S. Frey, C. J. Bigelow, C. W. Stone, R. M. Curtice, Solon Webster, Alburtus Andrus, David Collins, Abraham Ten Eyck, William Spore, J. B. Jewell, David Hebel, Eugene Decker and Sanford Brown.
1875-6 .- James Barton (Chairman), Andrew T. Squier, James Herron, H. M. Woodward, Alburtus Andrus, Eugene Decker, P. L. R. Fisk, Solon Web- ster, J. B. Jewel!, C. J. Bigelow, T. S. Frey, David Hebel, William Spore, Benjamin L. Ewing, C. W. Stone and Henry C. Stone.
1876-7 .- James Barton (Chairman), Andrew T. Squier, Sanford Brown, W. S. Merrill, Eugene
Decker, Alburtus Andrus, William Rice, J. B. Jewell, Solon Webster, C. J. Bigelow, T. S. Frey, Eugene O'Connor, T. E. Fales, A. J. Bennett, Charles W. Stone and Henry C. Stone.
1877-8 .- James Barton (Chairman), Andrew T. Squier, Sanford Brown, H. D. Woodward, Benjamin Candee, Eugene Decker, M. S. Kline, Solon Webster, I. C. Fox, J. M. Gibbs, George M. Osman, S. E Fales, C. W. Stone, G. N. Wade, T. S. Frey and Benjamin L. Ewing.
1878-9 .- James Barton (Chairman), A. T. Squier, Sanford Brown, Eugene Decker, Benjamin Candee, William Rice, I. C. Fox, Solon Webster, J. V. Cran-, dall, J. M. Grovesteen, Lewis Trexell, James W. Hoffman, Newton Ewing, C. W. Stone, George N. Wade and H. D. Woodward.
1879-80 .- James Barton (Chairman), George Ful- ler, George W. Frey, George W. Heath, Benjamin Candee, Henry D. Woodward, William Rice, Joseph B. Jewell, Solon Webster, John M. Grovesteen, John V. Crandall, Lewis Trexell, Amos W. Whipple, A. J. Meade, Lafayette Waters and Newton Ewing.
1880-1 .- James Barton (Chairman), Orvin Headley, Eugene Decker. Sanford Brown, Benjamin Candee, H. D. Woodward, David Collins, resigned, followed by M. T. Kline, Irwin C. Fox, Solon Webster, John Crandall, J. M. Grovesteen, Lewis Trexell, A. W. Whipple, Newton Ewing, A. G. Meade, Lafayette Waters, Frank Basford and James M. Smith.
1881-2 .- James Barton (Chairman), Sullivan Arm- strong, Sanford Brown, Benjamin Candee, F. W. Squier, James Duffey, David Collins, Irwin C. Fox. Solon Webster, J. M. Grovesteen, George Wright, E. O. Shaw, Thomas Ryan, J. L. Alexander, A. W. Whipple, Newton Ewing (resigned, and succeeded by Charles Neale), A. G. Meade, L. Waters, F. A. Basford and J. M. Popple.
1882-3 .- James Barton (Chairman), W. Seaman, James Duffey, Benjamin Candee, Frank W. Squier, C. K. Carter (part of year, succeeded by Frank H. Hoag), P. A. Harrison, W. A. Anderson, Irwin C. Fox, George Wright, J. M. Grovesteen, Thomas Ryan, F. M. Pike, John Russell, James L. Alexander, H. S. Swan, Charles Neale, J. B. Mallery, A. G. Meade, F. A. Basford and R. S. Trask.
1883-4 .- James Barton (Chairman), Orvin Head- ley, Frank W. Squier, James Duffy, Sanford Brown (part of term, succeeded by William Glanville),
499
NEWAYGO COUNTY.
Benjamin Candee, David Collins, S. V. Walker, W. A. Anderson, J. Ohrenberger, George Wright, F. M. Pike, John Russell, Thomas Ryan (part of terni, succeeded by H. C. Cole), James L. Alexander (part of term, succeeded by L. R. Fenton), H. S. Swan (part of term, succeeded by Lemuel C. Hartt), Charles Neale, Lafayette Waters, A. G. Meade, Frank Basford and R. S. Trask.
SUPERINTENDENTS OF THE COUNTY POOR.
1852 .- James Barton and William Smith.
1852-4 .- James Barton, William Smith and G. E. G. Wonch.
1854-5 .- Martin Hunter, Samuel M. Woodward and P. C. Spooner.
1855-6 .- A. P. Carpenter, C. C. Mitchell and Samuel M. Woodward.
1856-7 .- A. P. Carpenter, C. C. Mitchell and Samuel M. Woodward.
1857-8 .- Justus C. Hubbard, Wm. Dunham and George Backart.
1858-9 .- Justus C. Hubbard, Dexter R. Glazier and Nelson Ganong.
1859-60 .- Gideon D. Graves, Thomas Trask and William Darling.
1860-I .- Justus C. Hubbard, William Darling and Thomas Trask.
1861-2 .- William Darling, Thomas Trask and William S. Utley.
1862-3 .- Justus C. Hubbard, M. Daniel Bull and Harry Monroe.
1863-4 .- Asa P. Carpenter, John F. A. Raider and William J. Jewell.
1 864-5 .- M. D. Bull, Asa P. Carpenter and John F. A. Raider.
1865-6 .- Dexter P. Glazier, M. D. Bull and Asa P. Carpenter.
1866-7 .-- Asa P. Carpenter, Dexter P. Glazier and M. D. Bull.
1867-8 .- Justus C. Hubbard, Asa P. Carpenter and M. D. Bull.
1868-9 .-- M. D. Bull, Justus C. Hubbard and Asa P. Carpenter.
1869-70 .-- Justus C. Hubbard, A. P. Carpenter and M. D. Bull.
1870-1 .- John Brotherton, Justus C. Hubbard and Asa P. Carpenter. Carpenter resigned in the spring of 1871, and was succeeded by Lewis E. Wright.
1871-2 .-- Lewis E. Wright, John Brotherton and Justus C. Hubbard.
1872-3 .-- John Brotherton, Lewis E. Wright and Justus C. Hubbard.
1873-4 .-- John Brotherton, Justus C. Hubbard (died during the term), Lewis E. Wright and Aurelius P. Day.
1874-5 .- Aurelius P. Day, John Brotherton and Lewis E. Wright.
1875-6 .- Lewis E. Wright, Aurelius P. Day and John Brotherton.
1876-7 .-- Irwin C. Fox (resigned, succeeded by Edwin Lore), Lewis E. Wright and Aurelius P. Day. 1877-8 .-- Edwin O. Shaw, Edwin Lore and Lewis E. Wright.
1878-9 .- Lewis E. Wright, Edwin O. Shaw and Edwin Lore.
1879-80 .- Edwin Lore, Lewis E. Wright and Ed- win O. Shaw.
1880-1 .-- H. J. Orton, Edwin Lore and Lewis E. Wright.
1881-2 .- William Rice, H. J. Orton and Edwin Lore.
1882-3 .-- Edwin Lore, William Rice, and Henry D. Woodward.
1883-4 .- Henry D. Woodward, Edwin Lore and William Rice.
SHERIFFS.
James P. Berry 1852- 4 | John H. Chubb 1869-70
S. W. Matevey 1855- 8 George Utley 1871- 4
Joshua Mills 1859-60 David Collins 1875- 6
William Rice 1861- 4 George W. Fry 1877- 8
John F. Wood 1865- 6 Elisha Pangborn 1879-82
Hiram S. Walker 1867- 8
William Kimball 1883-
COUNTY CLERKS.
L. Palmer 1852- 4 | J. H. Simmons 1869-72
J. H. Standish
1855- 8 Sanford Brown 1873- 8
Wm. S. Utley 1859-62
G. F. Cole 1879-82
W. P. Adams 1863- 3
Seth Watrous 1883-
M. W. Scott 1864- 8
COUNTY TREASURERS.
John Butler 1853- 4 | W. W. Dickinson 1867-72
J. H. Swartwout 1855- 6 M. S. Angell 1873- 8
W. P. Adams 1857-60 C. W. Stone 1879-82
S. Armstrong 1861- 6 Theo. S. Frey 1 883-
REPRESENTATIVES TO THE LEGISLATURE.
John A. Brooks 1855-60 S. Armstrong 1873- 6
Wm. T. Howell 1861- 4
Jos. B. Jewell 1877- 8
Wm S. Utley 1865- 6
Jno. W. McNabb 1879-So
C. W. Deane 1867- 8
E. E. Edwards 1881- 2
Ceylon C. Fuller 1869-70
Chas. W Stone 1883-
Edgar L. Gray 1871- 2
500
NEWAYGO COUNTY.
REGISTERS OF DEEDS.
L. Palmer, ex off. 1852- 4 [ W. Persons 1859-78
J. H. Standish, ex Geo. E. Taylor
1879-
officio 1855- 8
JUDGES OF PROBATE.
Jas. Barton 1855-60 | A. H. Giddings 1869-72
I. H. Cogswell 1861- 4
Jas. Barton
1873-
Everett Douglass 1 865- 8
PROSECUTING ATTORNEY.
E. L. Gray 1855- 8
W. D. Fuller 1869-72
A. H. Giddings 1859-62
Albert G. Day
1873- 6
J. H. Standish 1863- 4 Geo. Luton
1877-82
Jas. Barton 1865- 8 Wm. D. Fuller
1883-
CIRCUIT COURT COMMISSIONERS.
Edgar L. Gray 1855-60 W.D.Leonardson 1877- 2
Jas. Barton 1861-64
E. L. Gray, 1879-80
Edgar L. Gray 1865-70 W.D.Leonardson 1881- 8
A.D.Cadwallader 187 1- 4
Tim. Edwards 1883-
COUNTY SURVEYORS ..
Wm. S. Utley 1855- 6 | John C. Brewster 1875-6
WV. P. Adams 1857- 8 Jonh C. Manly 1877-8
Wm. A. Hoskins 1859-62 J. C. Brewster 1879-80 W. S. Merrill 1881- 2 A. E. Upton 1863-70
C. Carmichael 1871- 2 Alfred G. Meade 1880-
W. S. Merrill 1873- 4
CORONERS.
James B. Cook and Ashley B. Furman 1855-8 Pomeroy C. Spooner and Asa P. Carpenter 1859-60 Asa P. Carpenter and Sherman Mosher 1861- 2 Dexter P. Glazier and W. Irving Latimer 6 Asa P. Carpenter and Samuel W. Matevey Anson Root and Thomas G. Terry Anson Root and Marshall S. Cory Anson Root and David W. Flora 1863- 4 1865- 1867-8 1869-70 187 1- 2 1873- 4
Henry D. Root and Reuben M. Curtice Robert M. Luton and Reuben .M. Curtice Sheribiah H. Manly and David W. Flora Leland S. Weaver and George J. Ambrose James T. Farley and Hollis T. Reed Volney Van Lieu and James M. Webster
1879-80 1881- 2 1883-
THE BAR.
UDICIAL tribunals of justice and legal advocates will al- ways be found in every civil- ized community. Newaygo County is no exception to this rule, although its citizens are not much given to litigation, and its criminal cases are remarkably rare.
In regard to the Bar, we should bear in mind that the prosperity and well-being of every community de- pends upon the wise interpretation of its laws, as well as upon their judicious framing. Upon a few prin- ciples of natural justice is erected the whole superstructure .of civil law, tending to re-
lieve the wants and meet the desires of all alike. But when so many interests and counter-interests are to be protected and adjusted, to the judiciary is pre- sented many interesting and complex problems. Change is everywhere imminent ; the laws of yester- day do not compass the wants and necessities of the people of to-day. The old relations do not exist, and new and satisfactory ones must be established; hence the true lawyer is a man of the day, and his capital is his ability and individuality. He cannot bequeath to his successors the characteristics that distinguish him, and at his going the very evidences of liis work disappear.
In compiling a sketch of the Bar of a county, one is surprised at the paucity of material. The pecul- iarities and the personalities which form so pleasing and interesting a part of the lives of the members of
1875- 6 1877- 8
Jas. Barton 1875- 6
501
NEWAYGO COUNTY.
the Bar, and which indeed constitute the charm of local history, are altogether wanting. The court records give us the main facts, but the auxiliary facts and interesting circumstances of each case are pre- served in the memory of but few, and even there they are generally half forgotten.
The first attorney in the county was named Henry. He came in 1851, and was in the county about two years, a portion of the time being a Deputy United States Marshal. While in the performance of his official duties, he was accidentally drowned in Grand River. But little is known of him, except that he was of rather ordinary talents, and had but little to do, as a lawyer.
Nearly all of those who have entered upon the practice of law in Newaygo County have remained here, and are still alive. The first attorney after Henry was John H. Standish, who still resides in Newaygo, and who has been one of the most promi- nent men in the county for 30 years. He came in 1852, and has since been Prosecuting Attorney a number of years, a gallant officer in the war, U. S. District Attorney a number of years (during which time he lived at Grand Rapids), and State Senator two terms.
E. L. Gray came to the county in 1853, and has been prominently connected with the county ever since; has been Prosecuting Attorney, Circuit Court Commissioner, Representative and Senator, and has been at the front in many important business enter- prises.
W. D. Fuller read law with Col. Standish before the war, and while the latter was away in the service of his country, he attended to the Colonel's business. After the war, Mr. Fuller was formally admitted to the Bar, and for some years practiced in partnership with Col. Standish. He is the present Prosecuting Attorney.
James Barton was admitted to the Bar shortly after the war, but has practiced before Justices of the Peace ever since the organization of the county.
Fred. Day and William Barton read law with Col. Standish, and were admitted to the Bar, but never practiced in this county. The former is now in Mex ico, connected with some mining enterprises, and Mr. Barton has become a " Philadelphia lawyer." A. G. Day read law with Mr. Fuller, and has practiced in Newaygo about 12 years. George Luton came from
Canada a few years ago, and has since been Prose- cuting Attorney for one term. The attorneys residing and practicing in the county at the present time are as follows:
James Barton Big Prairie
A. G. Day.
Newaygo
George Luton
E. L. Gray.
T. Edwards.
William D. Fuller
Warren D. Leonardson . Fremont
Ed. E. Edwards.
Orlando McNabb
6
A. F. Tıbbitts
Wm. Tiffany. Hesperia
John Harwood . White Cloud
For the following very interesting reminiscences of Judges and members of the Bar of Newaygo County we are indebted to Mr. E. L. Gray, a gentleman whose mind is stored with an inexhaustible fund of interesting historical matter.
Upon the organization of Newaygo County, its first Circuit Judge was George Martin, then Louis S. Lov- ell, of Ionia, and later, Flavius Josephus Littlejohn, of Allegan. The latter was from Herkimer Co., N. Y. He was a brilliant lawyer in his younger days, but hemorrhage of the lungs recurring several times after his admission to the Bar caused his removal to Michigan and he settled in the (then) wilds of Alle- gan County. He kept a law office, operated as a surveyor, occasionally tried a case and accompanied the celebrated Dr. Houghton in his explorations of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan in 1843-4, and came down to the Democratic State Convention to nominate the Doctor for Governor, but failed by two votes. Littlejohn was informed by Dr. Houghton before leaving that he had discovered a mine that would make both rich; but Dr. Houghton was drowned during his absence, and the secret was hopelessly lost.
For many years Judge Littlejohn was a prominent member of the Legislature, where he distinguished himself as an orator, but was always on the wrong side politically. He was finally elected Judge of this Circuit. One of the first cases that was tried before him was a suit for divorce. A dissipated young Irishman had married a buxom girl in the State of Vermont, who had a previous understanding of his love for the ardent, but trusted to her influence and the strength of his affection for her to effect his re-
502
NEWAYGO COUNTY.
form. Soon after their marriage a chance visitor to Newaygo from the Green Mountain State gave the young couple a glowing account of the possibilities of this part of Michigan. So they came hither to carve out their fortunes; but the husband, frequently intoxicated, desired to enter into the general business of earning in a manner not sanctioned by the law. He went from bad to worse, until the wife filed a bill for divorce, alleging habitual drunkenness on the part of her husband as ground for her action. On the trial, the bill of the complainant was read to the de- fendant, and, as he understood it, he was charged with being a perpetual drunkard. This aroused him. While he stated he had no serious objection to his wife's having a bill, he wished no decree rendered by which he was declared a perpetual drunkard, " be- cause, you see," said he, " that would blarst any future matrimonial prospects that might be entertained by . meself." On the conclusion of the evidence, his solic- itor urged for the defendant that the rule of law ought to be, as it has since been decided by our Supreme Court, that the complainant, having had reasonable knowledge of the habits of the man she had mar- ried, be estopped from now making that charge, and the counsel also requested the Court to define, as had then never been done by our Supreme Court, what amount of participation in the use of colored liquids was necessary to constitute the participator an habitual drunkard. The eloquence of Voorhees in the case of the People vs. James Nutt, could not have surpassed the fiery outburst of our oratorical Judge on that occasion. He said : "As requested, the Court will proceed to discharge the solemn duty imposed upon him by the law. The Court emphat- ically holds that any one who, like the defendant, becomes intoxicated whenever he comes to a village like this, where liquor is sold, even if he does not visit it oftener than once in six months, and becomes intoxicated on any other than a public occasion like the 4th of July, Thanksgiving, New Year, or Christ- mas, or when there is a large political gathering and intense political excitement prevails,-this Court will hold such a man, becoming voluntarily intoxi- cated on any other than on the occasions alluded to, an habitual drunkard. Besides,-just think of it,- this young complainant in the simplicity of her heart thought she could reform the defendant. Poor girl ! in this she has ignominiously failed. This Court will no longer compel her to be tied to one who is
liable to come home any night, his senses benumbed, his reason gone and seize a broad-ax and dash out the brains of this complainant and consign himself by such a deed to a living death. Never more shall this complainant be compelled to inhale a forty-rod whisky breath as her daily portion, and listen at night to the deep breathing of a besotted man in which she hears the last gasps of the expiring hopes which filled her maiden dream with bliss." Both parties were present with numerous friends and the defend- ant was chagrined beyond expression ; but he ceased drinking, married again and is respected, prosperous and happy.
During the early period of the late rebellion, the sympathies of the Court were not with Lincoln and his supporters. The Judge frequently remarked that he only stayed in the State; he did not call it living. An honest and intelligent Scotchman, Alexander Dalziel, an old Free Soiler and a strong Republican, became impatient aud considered himself insulted by the plainly expressed political sentiments of Judge Littlejohn; and one day, while both were dining at the Brooks House, Mr. Dalziel asked the Judge if he had not proclaimed in the halls of the State Legisla- ture years before that he hoped the time would come when he might be permitted to sit therein by the side of the sable African, and, " besides, was you not the Free-Soil candidate for Governor in the fall of 1849?" Judge Littlejohn assumed a peculiarly grave expression and replied : "My friend, change is written on the whole face of nature; the issues of a quarter of a century ago between the political par- ties of the country are now obsolete. New questions are now before the country ; and that man who has not the progressive spirit of the times, who cannot accommodate himself to the changed condition of our glorious country, is not fit to be an American cit- izen. To be sure, I expressed the sentiments you credit me with, but to-day it appears to this Court that this is a war for the emancipation of the slaves of the South and the destruction of our glorious Constitution." Dalziel replied : "I have not your learning and cannot cope with you in argument ; but as I know your past career, permit me to say that while I respect your position as Judge, as a man I despise you." The "Court " for some time held himself aloof from bar-room jangles. However, in spite of his peculiar position on "issues"
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