Cass County, Indiana - Chapter 12: Courts, Law and Lawyers, 1913

Chapter 12: Courts, Law and Lawyers

The first law passed after the adoption of the constitution in 1816 was for the creation of a supreme court. The second act was one creating and defining the powers of the circuit court, the third concerning proceedings in suits at law and chancery and the fourth act was one regulating the jurisdiction of justices of the peace.

The circuit court of Cass county first met and organized on May 21, 1829, in the Old Seminary, a one story brick building, the first public building erected in the county, which stood on the lot at the northeast corner of Fourth and Market streets, the place designated by section 5 of the organization act for holding courts for the time being in Cass county.

Bethuel F. Morris, of Marion county and judge of the fifth judicial circuit composed of the following fifteen counties: Hendricks, Morgan, Monroe, Bartholomew, Johnson, Marion, Hancock, Shelby, Decatur, Rush, Henry, Madison, Hamilton, Carroll and Cass, presided.

The associate justices were Hiram Todd and John Smith. Judge Bethuel F. Morris of Marion county directed the sheriff, Wm. Scott, to make proclamation that the first session of the Cass circuit court was then open and ready to transact business. The record shows the following proceedings pertaining to the organization: May term, 1829; at the first term of the Cass circuit court in the fifth judicial circuit of the state of Indiana, held on Thursday, May 21, 1829 ; Bethuel F. Morris produces his commission as president judge on which is endorsed a certificate that he has taken the oath required by the constitution of the state and takes his seat as the president judge of said Cass circuit court. William Scott now produces his commission as sheriff and makes proclamation that the first session of the Cass circuit court is now open. Hiram Todd and John Smith each produce their commission as associate judges and take their seats as such.

John B. Durett produces his commission as clerk of said court with a bond in the penal sum of $25.00 with Alexander McAllister and Gillis McBean as sureties, all of which is approved by the court. Albert S. "White, of Tippecanoe county, and afterwards a United States senator, Andrew Ingram and Henry Cooper are severally admitted to practice as attorneys and counselors at law at the bar of the court and are each sworn as prescribed by law. The clerk produces in court an oflBcial seal of the Cass circuit court which is ordered to be used in all oflBcial acts. With these proceedings the first term of the Cass circuit is adjourned sine die by B. F. Morris, judge.

This first oflBcial seal of the Cass circuit court, an impression of which may be seen on the left hand margin of page 2 of order book No. 1, in the clerk's oflBce of Cass county, has a rudely engraved device or insignia, representing the busts of two human figures, a white man. and an Indian in costume, surrounded by a circle inclosing the words, **Cafis Circuit Court of Indiana.'' The device on the seal had its origin from the treaty between the United States and Pottawattomie Indians at the mouth of the Mississinnewa on October 16, 1826, where Lewis Cass represented the United States, and Aubbenaubbe, the principal chief, represented the Indian. The figures in the device represent these two lejuiing spirits in the act of concluding the compact by shaking hands.

On the 15th of August, 1842, a new seal was adopted, the device oi^ which represented the same idea as the first bust in a more artistic form, yet commemorative of the same event, and the same design is still used by the clerk in the attestation of oflBcial papers. The first term of the Cass circuit court thus passed into history, its proceedings consisting entirely in its organization, the adjustment of the oflBcial ermine, and prescribing the routine of business. Soon, however, cases began to be docketed for disposal at the next and subsequent terms and the Cass circuit court was firmly established.

The first grand jury convened on November 19, 1829, consisting of John Scott, Samuel Ward, Daniel Bell, Ephraim Dukes, Cyrus Taber, John R. Hinton, Moses Barnett, Anthony Martin, James Newbrow, Edward McCartney, Samuel Bock, Wesley Johnson, Alexander Chamberlain and Nicholas D. Grover.

The grand jury returned thirty-nine indictments at the November term of court; one for murder, against Ho-zan-de-ah, an Indian; one for larceny against George W. Hicks; five for assault and battery; eight for gaming; twelve for betting; seven for retailing and five for vending merchandise. Of these but two were disposed of by trial - convictions in both ; one for gaming ; fine 37i^ cents for the use of the Ca« County Seminary; the other for betting, fine $7, which also went into the exchequer of the seminary.

The grand jury made the following report: **That the jail is in an unfinished condition and altogether unfit for use. The grand jury believe that the jail begun, when finished in the manner designed, will be of little value and not calculated for a public prison."

The second term of court convened on November 19, 1829, in the '* Seminary'' with Bethuel P. Morris, present judge; John Smith and Hiram Todd, associate judged; John B. Durett, clerk; James H. Enitner, sheriff, and Wm. H. Wicks, prosecuting attowey^ p^'esent. At this session Wm. W. Wicks, Thomas J. Evans, Calvin Fletcher, Aaron Finch, David Patten and Benjamin Hurst were, on motion of Albert S. White, admitted to practice in this court.

The first cause in which proceedings were had was one represented by Thomas J. Evans on behalf of Jean Baptiste Cicott, for partition of certain real estate between himself, Sophia and Emily Cicott, and Chauncey Carter, John Scott and Alexander Wilson were appointed commissioners to divide the land. The first notice by publication in this county in a court proceeding was in this case. The official notice was published in the Pottawaitomie and Miami Times, the first newspaper published in Cass county by John Scott and the first issue appeared August 15, 1829.

The first case submitted to a jury in the Cass circuit court was on the second day of the November term, 1829. The case was an action for ^ebt, wherein Charlott Ewing, executrix, was plaintiff and Thomas Robb, defendant. The cause was submitted to the following jury, the first ever called in Cass county. Alexander Wilson, George Smith, Joseph Guy, Jacob R. Hall, Silas Atchison,^ Aaron Speaks, Samuel D. Taber, James Wyman, Joshua Merriman, Ira Evans, David Patrick and Wm. Speaks. The jury heard the evidence but before a verdict was rendered, the parties agreed upon a judgment of $12 against the defendant and the first petit jury ever called together in the county was discharged without rendering a verdict, in November, 1829.

After a session of three days in which fifteen civil cases were heard and decided the second term of the Cass circuit court adjourned, November 21, 1829.

The third term opened April 26, 1830, the Old Seminary still being occupied as a courthouse, with John R. Porter, president judge of the first judicial circuit and Edward A. Hannegan, prosecuting attorney and afterwards a United States senator from Montgomery county. George Lyon, Porter A. Patterson, James Rariden of Wayne county, Thomas D. Brown, Wm. M. Jenness, David Wallace of Warren county and one Tatman were admitted to practice. This term occupied only three days and adjourned April 28, 1830.

The same judges appear at the November term, 1830, and April term, 1831. The first indictment for assault with intent to kill was returned at this term against **Kaw-bose," an Indian.

The first appeal to the court from a justice of the peace was at this term, also the first action for a divorce although not decreed until October 25, 1831. This first divorce case was Stephen A. Brown vs. Delia Brown.

The first action in chancery was begun at this term and was entitled John Hall vs. Zachariah Cicott, et al., and was brought to enforce a contract for the sale of real estate at Georgetown.

At the October term, 1832, the court received the report of an election held on September 5, 1832, to determine whether Logansport should be incorporated or not. The returns showed forty-five for incorporation and two against.

At this term also, prison bounds, that is the district in which certain prisoners might be permitted to go at will, were fixed as follows: Commencing at the north bank of the island in the Wabash river opposite the south end of Walnut, now Third street, thence along Walnut street to the south bank of Eel river and to a point opposite the north end

History Op Cass Coxjnty 101

This prison zone was more especially applicable to persons imprisoned for debt and Mr. Pratt speaks of a pitiable case of Andrew Waymire, a millright, who constructed a number of the first mills in Cass county but misfortunes overtook him on the journey of life and when his hair was white, in his declining years, he was cast into the Cass county jail because he was unable to pay his creditors. Mr. Pratt writes feelingly of Mr. WajTnire strolling slowly around this prison zone in 1836, or sitting in the old log jail with a Bible in his lap, reading the precious promises of that other life on whose brink he stood *' where the wicked cease from troubling and the weary are at rest." He mentions another case where a fond parent was prevented from following the remains of a loved child to the grave because it was outside the jail bounds. Mercifully in 1843 the jail limits were made co-extensive with the lines of the county by legislative enactment. It will scarcely be credited that the barbarous law disgraced the statute books of Indiana until the year 1851, when it was abolished by the new constitution.

At the spring term, April 22, 1833, Gustavas A. Everts became president judge and John W. Wright and J. A. Liston were admitted to practice. July 17, 1834, Samuel C. Sample and James B. Niles, of St. Joseph county, were admitted to the bar and the following day Hyacinth Lasselle, James W. Dunn, Daniel G. Gormeley and Spier S. Tipton. The late Anthony F. Smith became deputy clerk of the court September 8, 1834, and continued in that capacity for nearly fifty years.

John Pettit, afterwards United States senator and judge of the supreme court, was admitted to practice February 16, 1835. Williamson Wright, August 10, 1835; John W. Patterson, February 8, 1836, and George W. Blakemore, February 10, 1836. Samuel C. Sample became president judge with George Bostwick and Robert Edwards associate judges August 8, 1836, on which day Rufus A. Lockwood and Joseph L. Jemegan were admitted to practice. On August 9, 1836, James Dennison, Daniel D. Pratt and William Z. Stuart were admitted; in 1838, John F. Dodds; in 1840, Horace P. Biddle.and John B. Dillon; in 1843, Chas. B. Lasselle. These were all the prominent lawyers of Cass county admitted to .practice prior to 1850.

Up to 1834 Cass county had been in the fifth judicial circuit, but in that year it was assigned to the eighth and Robert Edwards became associate justice. The fifth judicial circuit as constituted in 1829 when the court' was first established in this county was composed of the following fifteen counties: Hendricks, Morgan, Monroe, Bartholomew, Johnson, Marion, Hancock, Shelby, Decatur, Rush, Henry, Madison, Hamilton, Carroll and Cass.

At this early day the state was sparsely settled and the counties comprising this district were heavily timbered, with no railroads, interurbans, or even gravel roads, and in Cass county the Michigan road had not yet been opened and the judge visiting these fifteen counties in his circuit had to go on horseback over dirt roads, and often wagon roads were not opened through the forests and he had to follow Indian trails and carry his law library in his saddle bags strapped to his saddle. There were, however, but few text books and but few decided cases and it was no hardship for the lawyer or judge to take his law library with him, consisting of Blackstone's commentaries, Pleading^ and Practice and Digest.

This being the first conviction for murder in Cass county excited a great deal of interest at tiie time and some incidents connected therewith may be of general interest to posterity. On Saturday night, February 10, 1838, the community was shocked at the wild rumor that David Scott had been fatally stabbed by Jeremiah H. Harrison. The homicide had occurred on the north bank of Eel river, a short distance east of the Sixth street bridge, where, at that time, there was a tavern, into which Harrison, a shoemaker by trade, had moved from Rising Sun, Indiana, the previous fall. Harrison knew Daniel D. Pratt in Rising Sun in 1833 and sent for him at 9 o'clock the night of the murder and Mr. Pratt describes the scene: **I found Mr. Harrison in the bar or east room where Scott lay bleeding on the floor in an insensible condition, with pools of blood about him. There were two other men in the room, but they were too drunk to give any information. Harrison stated that he had a sick wife in an adjoining room. Scott and the other men came in drunk and made a noise and disturbance, that he tried to quiet them but could not and ordered Scott out of the house; he resisted and he defended himself with his shoe knife with fatal results to Scott as was plainly manifest.''

Coroner Yopst held an inquest on the following Sunday and Harrison was arrested and confined in the county jail, a building made of hewed logs and standing at the southwest comer of our present courthouse. On Monday, February 19, 1838, the circuit court met in the **01d Seminary" with Charles W. Ewing president judge, Thomas Johnson, of Ft. Wayne, prosecuting attorney, and James Horney, sheriflf. A grand jury was impaneled consisting of Jesse Julian, foreman ; Abraham La Rue, John A. Calvin, Daniel Bell, John Clary, John Adams, Jonathan Martindale, William Murphy, David Patrick, Thomas Kinneman, John Kistler and Alexander Gray. The grand jury returned an indictment on February 21st, charging Harrison with murder in the first degree. The trial began on Tuesday, February 27th, Williamson Wright assisting the prosecuting attorney, Thomas Johnson, and the court appointed Daniel D. Pratt and William Z. Stuart to defend the prisoner as he was not able to employ an attorney.

The **01d Seminary" being small and in a dilapidated condition, the court adjourned to meet at once in the Presbyterian church, which still stands on the back end of the lot on the south side of Broadway, between Fifth and Sixth streets. Here a jury was impaneled composed of the following persons : Lewis Johnson, Jos. Galbreth, Christian Arma, Peter Berry, Robert Bryer, John Rush, John McMillen, Richard Tyner, John Adair, Joseph Corbet, Thomas McMillen and Joseph Ballew.

The trial lasted two days. The jury was out just half an hour and returned a verdict of guilty of murder in the first degree. Motions for a new trial were overruled and on March 2, 1838, sentence was pronounced. Mr. Pratt in his reminiscences states that the verdict was a foregone conclusion, as Harrison was not known and Scott enjoyed a high degree of popularity among pioneer settlers. **He was a farmer and had influential brothers, and possessed a happy wit which made him a welcome presence in any crowd. When 'half seas over' - a condition common to him whenever he came to town - he was in his happiest vein, and public sentiment was indulgent to this one bad habit." Had the trial been postponed six months and the public excitement subsided, the verdict would have been different. Mr. Pratt made two trips to Indianapolis on horseback to present a petition to Gtovemor Wallace for a reprieve, but only succeeded in delaying execution and because

**The early risers were struck with astonishment/' says Mr. Pratt, **on seeing a figure resembling my own, but eight or ten feet in height, and the legs extended like the Colossus of Rhodes. I was indebted to the friendly hand and heart of John B. Dillon, Indiana's historian and one of the sweetest poets, for taking down the image and denouncing the outrage." ,

Mr. Pratt was allowed a fee of $20.00 for his services. This munificent sum may proyoke a smile from the present generation of lawyers. The prisoner was finally condemned to be hung on Friday, June 1, 1838. The sheriff had erected a gallows near Tenth street, between North and Broadway, then in the woods, but on the night of May 31st, the prisoner hanged himself in the old log jail by twisting into a rope the siflj handkerchief his wife had left in the cell. He formed a noose and fastening it to the wall on a peg in the log, bent forward as if in prayer, and met his doom. As the stars were fading out before the approach of day, his soul went forth into the vast expanse of its joumeyings. A multitude, estimated at five thousand people, came from far and near on the. day preceding the execution. All the livelong night, the crowd outside the jail had added to the horrors of the prisoner's condition by the uproar, its unfeeling jests, its cruel revilings, and the band that was to precede the procession next day to the place of execution, practiced the dead march in close proximity to the jail. When it was known that the prisoner had cheated the gallows, the crowd was furious at its disappointment. They would not be convinced that he had anticipated the executioner's work until his body was brought forth and each man could satisfy himself by lifting the stilBfened limbs or placing a finger upon the marble cold chefek. For many months, until bleached by sunshine and storm, the gallows stood, a ghastly spetjtacle on the hillside north of Broadway, near Tenth street. Thomas Richardson erected the gallows and the record shows he was allowed $20.00 for its construction at the September, 1838, term of commissioners' court. Also that William Sellers and Christian U. Kreider were allowed $135.00 for guarding the prisoner, Harrison.

The suicide's body was buried outside of the old cemetery, near the northeast corner, where his shoemaker's sign marked his grave for many years, but its identity was finally lost and when Tenth street was improved about the year 1894, the writer, then in the city council and chairman of the cemetery committee, removed the bones of many unknown and unclaimed human remains to Mount Hope cemetery, and no doubt all that was mortal of this unfortunate victim of drink was included among them.

There have been a number of murders in Cass county since the above case, but the murderer has always escaped the hangman's noose, although Brooks and Carr, who knocked Mr. Slater down and killed him in hk little grocery near Twelfth street in April, about 1872, were convicted, and the former paid the penalty of death, yet the trial was held at Delphi, on change of venue, and the execution took place there, thus relieving Cass county of such an extreme penalty.

Again in 1880, Andy Monehan was convicted of the murder of one Jack^n on the south side, and the extreme penalty was pronounced and Sheriff Himmelberger had erected the gallows in the courthouse yard, just outside the jail, but at the last moment Gov. James Williams commuted the sentence to life imprisonment, again saving Cass county the unenviable act of executing the death penalty.

Probate courts were established by an act of the general assembly of January 23, 1829, to consist of one judge but not required to be a lawyer or to possess a professional or legal education. ,

This court was given exclusive original jurisdiction in all matters involving the probate of wills, granting letters testamentary, administrators, guardianship and settling estates. The act went into effect August 1, 1829. The term of the judge was for four years. There were four terms a year: February, May, August and November.

The first term of the probate court was held in the Old Seminary on Monday, November 2, 1829. The first case was that of Francis Godfrey, administrator of the estate of Francis Lafontaine, by Thomas J. Evans, his attorney, wherein he petitioned for the sale of real estate to pay the debt of said estate, and Chauncey Carter and Hiram Todd were appointed to appraise the real estate of said Lafontaine.'

The first letters of administration issued in this county were granted on November 2, 1829, to James Nixon. **0f the goods and chattels, rights and credits, moneys and effects which were of Asa Davis, late of Cass county, who died intestate." On the same day letters of administration were granted to Jacob R. Hall to settle the estate of John Hall, deceased.

These two cases comprised the recorded transactions of the term, which occupied only one day. The second and third terms in February and May, 1830, were no longer than the first. This court continued to transact the probate business of the county until 1852, its last session closing on August 15th of that year, when the court was abolished by an act of the legislature passed May 14, 1852, under the new constitution and its business was transferred to the newly created court, the common pleas court.

By the provisions of an act approved May 14, 1852, the court of common pleas was established and its powers defined. Its jurisdiction was similar to the old probate court which it superseded and related to the probate of wills, guardianships and settling of estates of descendants; also had jurisdiction over criminal cases which did not amount to a felony. An appeal lay to the circuit or superior court, direct, at the option of the appellant. The judges could practice law in all courts except their own. The -clerk of the circuit court and the sheriff of the county served also the probate and common pleas court. The Cass common pleas court was organized January 7, 1853, with Robert F. Groves as judge. The first case was one for retailing liquors without license. This court continued to have jurisdiction of probate business generally and the class of civil and criminal cases, as in the act prescribed until February 18, 1873, when by an act of the general assembly the court was abolished and its business transferred to the circuit court, where the jurisdiction over probate business still rests, the business of that class, in part, being transacted by a ** probate commissioner,'' whose duties are to examine probate business and report to the circuit judge for final adjudication.

The constitutional convention of 1851, of which Judge Biddle was a leading member, and in which he took a prominent part, provided that the circuit court should consist of but one judge instead of three, and by act of the legislature of 1852 it was provided that there should be ten districts in the state and Cass was assigned to the eighth circuit along with Miami, Howard, Wabash, Fulton, Pulaski, White, Jasper and Carroll counties. The term of the circuit judge was fixed at six years, and John U. Pettit was the first judge after the triple judgeship was abolished.

This court was established by an act approved June 11, 1852, and vested with jurisdiction over claims and controversies, submitted for the purpose of compromise or conciliation or for determination of cases by the judge of the court of common pleas, who was made ex-officio judge of this court. Causes involving actions for libel, slander, malicious prosecution, assault and battery and false imprisonment, were designed to be first submitted for conciliation as a means of settlement at small cost. But few cases were brought to this court and the act was repealed November 30, 1865. It had been practically a dead letter in the statutes.

This court was created by an act of the general assembly approved March 3, 1877, and was organized March 12th of that year with John C. Nelson as judge, who continued as judge until the court was abolished by act of the legislature approved April 2, 1881. This court had original and concurrent jurisdiction with the circuit court and was created to relieve the crowded condition of the circuit court docket. It did good work and served a useful purpose but it was no longer a necessity and was abolished.

From the organization of the court in 1829 until February, 1838, the sessions of the court were held in the old seminary located on the northeast comer of Market and Fourth streets from that time until November, 1840, the Presbyterian church which stood on the south side of Broadway, east of the alley, between Fifth and Sixth streets, and at this writing still stands in the rear of No. 521 Broadway, and is used as a storeroom - was occupied as a courtroom. From April, 1841, until August, 1842, court was held in the old Methodist church that was then located at what is now known as No. 212 and 214 Sixth street, between North and Broadway.

The contract for building the old courthouse was let in 1839 but was not completed until 1844, but court was held there in the uncompleted building in the fall of 1842 and thereafter. In 1888 this old building was remodeled and enlarged into the present commodious structure. A bit of local history is connected with the rebuilding of the courthouse.

The first county jail was erected in 1829 near where the present jail stands. It was a simple hewed log building twelve feet square. This simple structure was replaced in 1833 by a two-story building 14x27 feet, made of hewed logs twelve inches square, and this was superseded by prison rooms in the basement of the courthouse in 1842 to 1844. The present sheriff's residence and jail were erected in 1870 and later remodeled and improved.

Hon. Bethuel F. Morris, of Marion county, as president judge of the fifth judicial circuit, composed of fifteen counties heretofore enumerated, was the first judge to open court in Cass county in the old seminary on May 21, 1829, when the organization of the Cass circuit court was perfected as elsewhere shown. He also presided at the November term with Hiram Todd and John Smith as associate judges. But little is known of Judge Morris' personal characteristics further than is disclosed in the court records. These show a methodical disposition, ready in the settlement of issues and clear in the enunciation of decisions. Before the commencement of the third term of the Cass circuit court a re-adjustment of the districts took place and this county became a part of the first judicial circuit, composed of the counties of Vermilion, Parke, Montgomery, Fountain, Warren, Tippecanoe, Carroll and Cass, and later Clinton and St. Joseph were attached.

Came to the bench as president judge of this circuit April 26, 1830, with Hiram Todd and John Smith associates. The sessions of court were held in the seminary, comer of Fourth and Market. Like his predecessor, we know but little of Judge Porter. The records show a lack of method and a non-observance of strict rules of procedure and practice. He was more practical and not technical. He occupied the bench in this county until the close of the October term, 1832.

Judge Gustavus A. Everets began his judicial work in Cass county at the April term, 1833, and closed it with the February term, 1836. At the first term Hiram Todd and John Smith continued to act as associate justices but in 1834 Robert Edwards and Hyacinth Lasselle, Jr., took their seats as associates. This, the eight judicial circuit, was then composed of the counties of Carroll, Cass, Miami, Wabash, Huntington, Allen, Lagrange, Elkhart, St. Joseph and Laporte.

Judge Everets was a man of great tact, fine address, astute in the management of witnesses, but not remarkably studious or learned in the law. He could arouse the emotions and touch the feelings of a jury, but appealed more to their passions than their understanding. As a teller of amusing stories he was inimitable and always had a fund of ready anecdotes.

In August, 1836, when Judge Sample held court in Cass county he was a resident of South Bend, where he died in middle life. Dr. Geo. T. Bostwick and Robt. Edwards were his associates; J. L. Jemagan, prosecuting attorney, and Job B. Eldridge, sheriff. Judge Sample was raised in Connersville, Indiana, where his father and several brothers occupied high positions in society. He was an ordinary man; plain, but practical. At the bar and as judge he stood high. He later represented his district in congress with ability. He had a fine physique, large forehead and dark hair.

Came upon the bench of the eighth judicial circuit in February, 1837, holding court in the old seminary with the same associates as his predecessor, with Thomas Johnson as prosecutor. Judge Ewing was a lawyer of superior ability and stood high in his profession. As a judge, he was ready in grasping facts and seldom committed an error. He was deservedly popular. His term of service as judge of the Cass circuit court closed with the February term, 1839. His untimely death was a source of regret to all his acquaintances. He died by his own hand January 9, 1843, in the meridian of life.

Was the sixth judge of the Cass circuit court. He was appointed August 20, 1839, by Gov. David Wallace, to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Judge Charles W. Ewing.

Lagrange and Allen. Judge Henry Chase taught school in St. ClairviUe, Ohio, in 1825, and studied law. He practiced in Adams county, Mississippi, in 1828, and moved to Carroll county, Indiana, in 1830, and settled in Logansport in 1834. He was a ready pleader, never asking time to prepare his papers ; had a clear and logical mind. As judge he was dignified and self-reliant. His style was brief yet reliant. He left Logansport in 1845 and located in New York City and in 1852 settled in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, and died there in July, 1854, aged fifty-four years. He was the father of Judge D. H. Chase.

Was elected president judge of the eighth judi'cial circuit by the legislature of 1839-40. He began his first term of court in Cass county, May 14, 1840, with Dr. Bostwick and Mr. Edwards as associates and continued on the bench until August, 1846. He was a man of marked peculiarities; not a profound lawyer but ready in arriving at conclusions and prompt in announcing them. The business transacted during his term was unusually large and yet few appeals were taken from his decisions. Later he was mayor of the city of Logansport and became interested in the construction of the first railroad into our city. In this field he was very active and influential. Later in life he moved to Washington, D. C, where he died many years ago.

Was the successor of Judge Wright and began his first term of court in this county February 24, 1847, with Hewitt L. Thomas and Jesse Julian as associates. The latter, however, soon after died. In 1852, he was elected a delegate to the constitutional convention to revise the state constitution and was one of its most influential members. After his term of service expired he returned to the practice of law until 1860, when he was again returned to the bench and served two terms of six years each until 1872. In 1874, he was elevated to the supreme bench of the state, serving six years and leaving that high position full of judicial honors. Judge Biddle has also become known in the literary world as a versatile writer of prose and poetry. He died in 1900.

Came to the bench in 1852 and served one term. He was then a resident of Delphi and the ninth circuit was composed of the counties of Lake, Laporte, Porter, St. Joseph, Marshall, Starke, Pulton, White, Cass, Pulaski, Howard, Carroll and Miami. Judge Milroy was a lawyer of considerable ability, wide experience and high integrity, which qualities he exhibited on the bench in a marked degree, leaving no stain upon his judicial ermine.

He possessed a military instinct and attended a military school at Norwich, Vermont. On the breaking out of the war with Mexico in 1846 he. raised a company and served as its captain. During the Civil war he also raised a company but was later commissioned colonel of the celebrated *' Bloody Ninth."

Was the tenth judge of the Cass circuit court, which belonged to the eleventh judicial district, and assumed judicial honors in April, 1853, and closing in April, 1854, when he resigned and was elected to the thirty- fourth congress in the lower branch of the national legislature. He was again elected to congress in 1865 and became speaker of the house, which position he filled with distinction and credit and he was one of the most polished presiding officers that ever filled the speaker's chair.

He studied law in the office of D. D. Pratt in this city and was admitted to the local bar in February, 1841. In 1842 he settled in Wabash, where he continued to reside until his death, March 21, 1881. He was professor of law in the State University in 1850 and served his country with honor for two years as consul at Maranham, Brazil.

Was judge of the Cass circuit court at the October term, 1854, having been appointed to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Hon. John U. Pettit. He was a lawyer of fair ability and made a creditable judge. He resided in Grant county.

Was a native of Franklin county, Indiana, and was elected from the eleventh judicial district, which at that time included Cass county. His first service in this county began April 16, 1854, and he served one full term of six years. He ranked high both as a lawyer and judge. As a man he was gentlemanly in manners and of easy address. He served with credit in the Mexican war and was commissioned colonel of the Twelfth Indiana Infantry in the Civil war and later became pajnmaster in the regular army. He died in Grant county, Indiana, some years ago.

Was the immediate successor of Hon. Horace P. Biddle as judge of the eleventh judicial circuit, composed of the counties of Carroll, Cass, Miami and Wabash. His first term began in this county, November 11, 1872. He was re-elected in 1878 and thus served twelve years, when he declined a renomination in 1884 and resumed the practice of bis profession; but in 1894 he was again elected over his opponent, Moses B. Lairy, and began his third term of six years in November, 1896, thus occupying the bench of the Cass circuit court for eighteen years. Few judges of his age acquired so high a reputation for soundness in the knowledge of the law and careful application of its principles. Fortified by his convictions of right, he seldom committed errors and his decisions were generally sustained by the higher courts. As a lawyer he was a safe counselor and judicious practitioner.

Succeeded Judge Chase and began his term on November 3, 1884, and resigned the judgeship in February, 1889, to resume the practice of law. He was admitted to practice in Cass county, December 17, 1868, and stands high as a lawyer and jurist and his opinions were regarded as sound and ably presented. When the superior court was abolished in 1881, Cass county was made a circuit to itself and has been known since that date as the twenty-ninth judicial district.

On the resignation of Judge Winfield in 1889 the governor appointed D. B. McConnell to fill out his term, which did not expire until November, 1890, but prior to this, in 1888, Mr. McConnell had been elected as judge of the Cass circuit court for the full term of six years beginning November, 1890. Judge McConnell declined to run for a second term in the election of 1894 and Judge Chase was asked to stand for the judgeship, but hesitated to do so owing to the fact that the election occurred nearly two years before he would begin the term. Accordingly Judge McConnell had an understanding with Chase that in case of his election in 1894 that he, McConnell, would resign with the recommendation that Chase would be appointed at once. Mr. Chase was elected in

November, 1894, and Judge MeConnell resigned April 5, 1895, During the election of 1894 party spirit ran high and Moses B. Lairy, a Democrat, who was beaten by Judge Chase, brought influences to bear upon Governor Matthews and had himself appointed instead of Chase to fill the unexpired term of Judge MeConnell.

Mr. MeConnell was a dignified judge and by his conduct and decisions maintained the high standing of the Cass circuit court, which it had gained through the decisions of Judges Biddle, Chase and others.

As above portrayed. Judge MeConnell resigned on April 5, 1895, and Claude Matthews, then governor of Indiana, appointed Mr. Lairy to fill out the unexpired term extending from April, 1895, to November, 1896, which he did with credit and honor to himself and the appointing power, which was later recognized by his elevation to the judgeship of the appellate court of the state, which will be noticed later on. Following Judge Lairy, Judge Chase occupied the bench for a third term from November, 1896, to November, 1902, as previously mentioned.

At the election of 1900 Judge Chase was again a candidate for reelection but was beaten by John S. Lairy and the latter assumed the duties as judge of the Cass circuit court (the circuit consisting of only the one county of Cass) November, 1896. He was re-elected, defeating George A. Gamble in 1906 and was elected to a third term in 1912, being opposed by George W. Funk on the Republican and Charles H. Stuart on the Progressive ticket. If he lives to fill out his term of oflSce, Judge John S. Lairy will have occupied the bench for eighteen consecutive years, an honor not accorded to any other judge of a Cass county court. Judge Lairy is a brother of Moses B. Lairy, who filled the unexpired term of Judge MeConnell, as previously mentioned. He is a Cass county production, having been born and reared in Harrison township and the county is thus doubly honored. As a jurist he is courteous yet dignified, fair in his rulings and his decisions are generally correct and sustained by the higher courts.

As noticed on another page this court was commenced in Cass county in 1829 and was discontinued by a revision of the judicial system of the state under the constitution of 1851, the entire probate business being transferred to the court of conmion pleas which was then established. The following persons, some of whom were not professional lawyers, have acted as probate judges: John Scott, 1829-32; Chauncey Carter, 1833-34; James McClurg, 1835; Henry La Rue, 1836; Thos. J. Wilson, 1837-44; John S: Patterson, 1845-47; Robt. F. Groves, 1848; John F Dodds, 1849-50 ; J. M. Lasselle and Alvin M. Higgins, 1851 ; Henry M. Edison, 1852.

As elsewhere stated the common pleas court superseded the probate court in 1852 and was discontinued in 1873 and its work transferred to the circuit court under the direction of a probate commissioner. Their names and terms of service are as follows: Robert P. Groves,

Was admitted to the Cass county bar February 20, 1837. He was one of the most learned men that ever practiced in our local courts. He was a close, logical and judicious pleader and his papers were prepared witii great skiU and caution. He was prosecuting attorney in 1844-45. He occupied a seat on the supreme bench from 1853 to 1857. Returning to private practice he was the attorney for »the Wabash Railroad for many years prior to his death, which occurred May 7, 1876.

Who as circuit judge is mentioned elsewhere, served a full term of six years from 1874 to 1880 on the supreme bench, leaving that high X>osition full of judicial honors.

Served as judge of the appellate court of the state one full term from January, 1893, to 1897, after which he returned to private practice and is now acting as legal adviser of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company in Logansport. The appellate court was created in 1887 to relieve the congested docket of the supreme court.

Judge of the federal court, was bom at Millville, Ohio, November 20, 1866. Educated in the public schools of Logansport, Indiana. Graduated from Union College of Law in 1891 ; married July 25, 1905. Private secretaiy to Secretary of State Gresham. Appointed judge of the United States courts for the northern district of Illinois March 28, 1906, and still holds the judgeship, which is a life appointment or during good behavior. Judge Landis was admitted to practice in the Cass circuit court July 13, 1889, and rose rapidly in his profession until he finally received a life appointment on the federal bench, which position he has filled with honor and credit to himself and the county where he was educated and reared.

We will give a brief mention of sonje of the more prominent lawyers who have practiced at the Cass county bar during the early days and those who have passed to their reward. It will b^ impossible to speak of all, and many worthy and equally prominent men may be omitted as it is our expectation to only mention a few of those whom we have heard spoken of most frequently and prominently.

Was the first lawyer to be admitted to practice in the Cass circuit court at its organization May 21, 1829. He was a resident of Lafayette. Although he never became a resident of this county, yet his scholarly attainments and professional acumen have been so well and favorably spoken of that he is entitled to be mentioned as the senior member of the local bar. He was a small, wiry, wide-awake, nervous man, with aquiline nose, thin visage and near sighted. He was learned in his profession and of literary tastes. He afterwards became congressman and United States senator and judge of United States district court.

Although a resident of Indianapolis, was among the first practitioners in our courts and was one of the bright lights in his profession and often honored our courts with his presence in pioneer days when Cass county belonged to the Indianapolis circuit.

Of Wayne county was early admitted here and recognized in his day as one of the ablest attorneys in the state. He was a congressman from his district in 1838-39.

A resident of Montgomery county, was prosecuting attorney of this judicial circuit in 1830-31 and one of its most distinguished lawyers. He was United States senator from 1843-49.

Was the first prosecuting attorney of our circuit court in 1829, was a good lawyer and later a representative in the lower house of congress.

One of the earliest attorneys admitted to the bar, was a man of scholarly attainments and was the second school teacher in the county. He opened a school in the old brick seminary, northeast corner of Fourth and Market streets, November 8, 1829. He was the first deputy prosecutor of the Cass circuit court.

Prepared and filed the first cause upon which action was had in the Cass circuit court in November, 1829. He was a man of eccentric character, but a bright lawyer.

Was one of the early attorneys, but was elected to the office of justice of the peace, which he held for many years, and his practice in the higher court was limited.

a military education and when the war with Mexico broke out he raised a company and was sent to Mexico ; was engaged in many battles from Vera Cruz to Mexico City, but died there and never returned.

Brother of Judge John W. Wright, became a member of the Cass county bar August 10, 1835, and rose to be a successful and popular attorney. For many years he and John S. Patterson controlled a large portion of the legal business of the county, but gave up active practice many years before his death, which occurred in 1896.

Was one of the old-time lawyers, possessing only ordinary ability, but had a fair practice in his day. He was county auditor for one term and represented Cass county in the legislature two terras.

Studied law in the oflSce of Calvin Fletcher, of Indianapolis, and in 1836 located in Logansport. He was studious, careful and painstaking in the preparation of Ms cases and deservedly rose to become the most prominent and forceful lawyer in Cass county. He frequently secured verdicts at the hands of a jury by skillful and logical arguments which were presented with great magnetic force. He served one term in the legislature and represented Indiana in the United States senate from 1869 to 1875. He died in Logansport June 17, 1877.

Came to Logansport in 1837 ; was prosecuting attorney in 1843-44, judge of the supreme court 1853-57, and attorney for the Wabash Railroad for many years prior to his death, which occurred May 7, 1876. Mr. Stuart was very thorough and methodical and logical and ranked among the best lawyers in the state.

Judge Biddle was admitted to the Ca^s county bar in 1840 and became one of the most distinguished lawyers of the state and as a local judge and on the supreme bench was well and favorably known throughout the state as a judge and lawyer of high repute. He died in 1900.

Became a member of the Cass county bar May 14, 1840, but never practiced his profession to any extent. He was a close student, a deep thmker and forcible and fluent writer, both of prose and poetry. He was editor of the Logansport Canal Telegraph for several years in the early forties, but his greatest work was his History of Indiana. He moved to Indianapolis, where he died in 1879.

Studied law in the oflSce of D. D. Pratt and was admitted to the bar in 1842. In 1847 he was elected prosecuting attorney. Prom 1862 to 1866 he represented Cass county in the lower house of the state legislature, and from 1868 to 1872 in the state senate. He was also mayor of the city in 1863-65. Mr. Lassalle was not a brilliant lawyer, but patient and painstaking and his faculty of writing and preserving papers and documents relating to local history of early times was commendable and Cass county owes much to Mr. Lassalle for records of the past. At his death, which occurred September 28, 1908, the state library purchased Mr. Lasselle 's collection of old papers and manuscripts, paying therefor $250.00. This was a valuable collection of old papers, including the Pottatvaftomie and Miami Times, the first paper published in Logansport in 1829. This collection should have been retained by the Cass County Historical' Society, but we were then only just organized and not in a position to buy or store the papers.

Brother of Charles B., was admitted to practice September 1, 1841. Had only limited success as a lawyer. In 1851 he served a part of one term as probate judge. Ill health, which ended in death, prevented the complete fulfillment of the term.

Was a student in the office of his uncle, Horace P. Biddle, and was admitted to practice in 1845 and soon became a partner in the firm of Bid- die & Peters, which continued until his death, May 22, 1857. He was buried in Mt. Hope cemetery and his monument was the first to be erected in that burial ground. Mr. Peters as a lawyer compared favorably with the Cass county bar. 'He. showed his patriotism by enlisting with the Cass county volunteers at the breaking out of the Mexican war in 1846.

Was a small, precise and refined appearing man; admitted to the bar about 1865. He was a creditable lawyer, but his practice was not large and he went west locating in Spokane, Washington, where he became quite prosperous and died there.

Mr. Chamberlain came from New York state in 1851. By his critical knowledge of the law, his energy, tact and logic he soon occupied a high position among the leading lights of the profession in the state. Later in life, however, and in the midst of a lucrative practice, a shadow passed over his intellectual horizon, shutting out its light forever. He died in the Central hospital for the insane at Indianapolis in 1874, a comparatively young man. His afSictions were largely due to dissipation, it is said. Thus was eclipsed one of the brightest intellects that ever appeared at the Cass county bar.

10, 1852, was soon after elected district prosecutor in the common pleas court and in 1856 judge of that couH and served one term of four years. Later he was elected to the legislature and mayor of the city and in 1876 clerk of the circuit court and re-elected in 1880. As a lawyer, he did not excel but as a good natured, convivial story teller he was unexcelled.

his preceptor under the firm name of Pratt & Taber, and the firm had an extensive practice, but on the death of his father, Cyrus Taber, in 1855, he retired from active practice to take charge of the extensive estate left by him. He died July 16, 1908.

Studied law in the oflSce of Daniel D. Pratt in 1849 and later moved to Monticello, but in 1868 returned to Logansport where he continued in practice until 1872 when he moved to Indianapolis and died there April 21, 1909. Mr. Turpie was a profound lawyer, able speaker, erudite writer and a rare linguist, being master of seven languages. He was a judge, member of the legislature and United States senator and one of the ablest lawyers that ever practiced in the Cass county courts. He was a Democrat in politics. .

Probably the most energetic and forceful lawyer at the Cass county bar, to which he was admitted February 5, 1855, came from the state of New York the year before and studied law in the ofiice of his uncle, D. D. Pratt. As a criminal and jury lawyer, he had few superiors. He was not a close student, but energetic and resourceful and sometimes not over scrupulous in his methods. He was a bom leader and exercised this faculty in his party (Democratic) in the city council, state senate and other positions which he filled. He died February 23, 1911, from the effects of repeated strokes of paralysis of which he was seized for several years prior to his demise.

Who was admitted to practice May 10, 1859, was a prominent attorney for many years, but moved to Kansas and later to Oklahoma when that territory was about to assume statehood and laid out the town of ** Guthrie," named in his honor and now the capital of that state. Later he returned to Topeka, Kansas, where he had already become a prominent attorney and was serving his second term as postmaster when he died in August, 1906.

Son of Dr. J. M. Justice, a graduate of the law department of the University of Michigan, admitted to practice in 1868, was a close student and thoroughly mastered the law and being a cripple, not walking without crutches, had to sit in his oflSce when not in the court room, and became a sitting encyclopedia of legal lore and many of the attorneys on "rogues row" would appeal to him to unravel knotty questions on technical subjects. He died January 5, 1905.

Attended Hanover college and Michigan University law school, admitted to practice in the Cass circuit court about 1865 and was prosecuting attorney in 1873. He was a fair lawyer and a good writer and often wrote for publication. He died at his home, 1015 North street, August 20, 1889.

Was a farmer of Bethlehem township, but studied law and about 1866 was admitted to the bar. He was a great student and constantly poured over his law books for he had plenty of time as his clients were few and far between, and he read law for the love of the subject and he was known as * * Common Law Powell. ' ' He died July 13, 1905, a^ed 86 years.

Having occupied the bench for eighteen years, is mentioned elsewhere and we will only say that he was a bright lawyer of the strictest integrity, quick of perception, a ready pleader and ranked high as a lawyer.

Brought up in Cass county, admitted to the bar November 26, 1859, was colonel of the Forty-sixth Indiana Infantry in the Civil war, a leading attorney and prominent citizen until 1882, when he moved to Kansas and died at Emporia in 1893.

Was a small, but spirited man with one lame foot; admitted to practice May 8, 1860. He was full of energy and force and a good lawyer, but, it might be said, he lacked a balance wheel or regulator. He was interested in newspaper work and other business speculations. He moved to Qoodland, Indiana, and died there March 17, 1895, and lies at rest in Mt. Hope cemetery. His son, Thomas Wilson Annabal, is a lawyer now practicing in Peru, Indiana.

Was a Cass county production, tall, slender and sinewy with an acute mind ; admitted to the bar July 24, 1865, and rapidly rose to prominence as a lawyer. Having married an eastern woman, he moved near Philadelphia, where he died October 9, 1901, and lies in an eastern cemetery.

Son of Dr. D. N. Fausler, studied law in the office of D. B. McConnell, was admitted to practice in 1881 or 1882 ; elected prosecuting attorney iu 1884 as a Democrat. He was a versatile and resourceful lawyer, a free talker and a good pleader. He died May 6, 1896, leaving one son, Michael L. Fausler, who is now serving his second term as prosecuting attorney.

Was a native of West Virginia, came to Logansport in the seventies; studied law in the office of S. T. McConnell, admitted to the bar February 19, 1878 ; prosecuting attorney from 1880 to 1884, and soon after moved to Chattanooga, Tennessee, where he built up a good practice, later he moved to the West where he died about the year 1900. Mr. Daniels was a tall, slender man with dark hair and piercing eyes.

Graduated from Madison University in 1856 and from Columbia Law School in 1860, and his educational advantages were unexcelled, and being a natural student and possessing literary tastes, was probably the most learned attorney at the Cass county bar. Theoretically, at least.

Mr. Baldwin had no equal as lawyer and scholar, but in practice others might have outclassed him. He was a forcible speaker and always displayed great care and deep thought in what he said. He was adinitted to the bar November 16, 1860, and rose rapidly to leadership in the local courts under the firm name of Pratt & Baldwin. He was appointed judge of common pleas court in 1870, and in 1888 elected attorney general of Indiana, both of which places he filled with credit. He died suddenly at his home in Logansport, December 13, 1908.

many years the attorney for the Pennsylvania railroad in Logansport. He was not a brilliant man or a great orator, but was a careful, painstaking lawyer; his pleadings were models of simplicity and few had greater power to unravel evidence and lay it before a jury. He was the father of George E. Ross; was born in Kentucky in 1819 and died July 22, 1901.

Soon after returning from his army service in the Civil war, Mr. Swigart became a member of the Cass county bar, September 12, 1865, and met with fair success in his chosen profession. He died suddenly, June 7, 1912, at his home, 715 North street, soon after having been elected commander of the G. A. R. of Indiana.

Prior to 1847 there was not a railroad in Indiana and the first railroad into Logansport was built in 1853. When the Cass circuit court was first organized in 1829 it was a part of the Marion county circuit and extended to the northern part of the state with not only no railroads, but wagon roads were not opened up through the dense forests and it is said that in 1833 there were but two bridges within the state and none north of Indianapolis. Lawyers, like every one else in those days were not over-burdened with ** filthy lucre'' ajid could not even afford a horse, but would go on foot in making the rounds of their circuit. Oliver S. Smith, in his ** Early Sketches," tells that he and General Noble were eighteen days traveling from Brookville to Washington city in 1827; and Calvin Fletcher, in 1821, was fourteen days on the road from Urbana to Indianapolis.

These poor but plucky young men who came to Indiana to practice law, in courts held in the woods, in settlers' cabins and in log courthouses, were generally educated men, but after a few years men had grown up in the wilderness and began to enter the legal profession, they were called ** woods lawyers," and were generally deficient in learning of the schools.

Their fees, too, would provoke a smile of derision on the face of the modem automobile attorney, when it is stated that the fees for making a complete and final administrator's report would be the munificent sum of one to three dollars. But be it remembered that oflScers' salaries were correspondingly low. The governor's salary was then $1,000 per annum ; judges of the circuit court, $700; ministers who received $300 a year were well paid, and Bayard R. Hall, president of the state seminary at Bloomington, received $250 per year. These early lawyers were poor but energetic, and often went on foot, wading streams or ferried across in canoes, and if able to own a horse, would always look out, in purchasing a horse to get one that was a good and fearless swimmer, in order to swim the rivers in high water.

It needs no word painter to present a picture of the toiling incidents to circuit practice in pioneer - days. If we will but keep in mind the great distances they h&A to travel, the execrable condition of the roads, the swollen and bridgeless streams to cross, the dense forests through which to pass, often infested by wolves and other wild animals and wilder and more ferocious Indians, with no road but an Indian trail to guide the way, we may catch a glimpse of the trials, difiiculties and hardships of the pioneer circuit rider. The pioneer lawyers may not have been so profound in theoretical law but they were nojie the less skillful in its practice. Their want of manuals begot in them a spirit of self-reliance and ingenuity that made them formidable as trial lawyers. They were dramatic. They never suffered their cases to drag, nor their juries to nod ; but kept up the interest to the end. Their victories were won or lost in short, sharp, dashing encounters and their courtrooms were always crowded with people in early days to listen to the sharp wit and humorous encounters ef opposing counsel.

Judge Qustavus A. Everets was holding court in the old seminary in 1836. He was a convivial man as well as some of the members of the Logansport bar, and did *' sleep o' nights." One night his rest had been broken and the next day in court he fell asleep while John H. Bradley was addressing the jury. Everets began to snore, Bradley touched him and he awoke. Everets begged pardon, but soon slept and snored again. This scene was repeated, and finally he snored so loud that he startled the whole courtroom. Bradley felt insulted and appealed to the court. The court reprimanded Judge Everets, who on being told what he had done rose to apologize and said: **May it please the court, it was simply an involuntary burst of applause at the gentleman's eloquence.''

During the year 1859 when Samuel L. McPaddin was judge of the common pleas court, Lewis Chamberlain was trying a case, and Judge McPaddin ruled against him concerning the relevancy of a question, but Chamberlain persisted in asking the question and insisted on the witness answering it. McPaddin deliberately came down from the judge's bench and gave lawyer Chamberlain a trouncing. There was a great commotion in the courtroom, but Job Eldridge, who was then sheriff, interfered, not, however, until the judge had beaten the refractory attorney into submission to his rulings. L. B. Custer was an eye witness to this incident and relates the same as an actual fact and not a court yam.

D.' B. McConnell in his reminiscences relates a laughable incident that occurred in the court of Judge John W. Wright, when a well-known but corpulent man of the town, somewhat under the influence of **fire water," came into the courtroom during the trial of an important case, fell down on his rotund abdomen, emitting a loud grunt, attracting the attention of the entire court. Lifting himself up with great difficulty, he stared about the courtroom and exclaimed with an oath: **I'm a boss." The judge turned to the sheriff, Wilson K. McElheny, and said: **Mr. Sheriff, take that horse down and lock him in the stable until his keeper is found, as we are not running a fat horse show."

Lewis Chamberlain was a good pleader and a resourceful lawyer. It is related of him, that while making a very strong argument in a case in which he had been suddenly called, his partner pulled him by the coattail and whispered to him that he was on the wrong side. Having been made to understand that, he straightened up and said : *^The propositions which I have ju^t stated are the propositions, as the court will have observed, of the plaintiff. Representing the defendant, I will now proceed to show their utter fallacy," and did so with great power.

Mr. Pratt was a very large man, while Mr. Biddle was small in stature. They were often pitted against each other and their encounters show great quickness. Their struggle in court often led to much bitterness and frequent quarrels.

uncomplimentary language and Biddle slapped him in the face with the flat of his sword, and the two men clinched, but Pratt's powerful frame soon stood over his antagonist's frail form in triumph, when the latter unsheathed his sword and was about to thrust it into Pratt's ponderous abdomen when the sheriff (Wilson McElheny) quickly interfered and separated the combatants. The judge, John U. Pettit, fined Biddle $1,000 for contempt of court, but the fine was never collected.

Some of the partnerships in legal business are the following firms: McConneU, Jenkines, Jenkines & Stuart; Rabb & Mahoney; Kistler & Kistler; Long, Yarlott & Souder; Wilson & Wilson; Pansier & Poskett; Hillis & Bradfield; Howell & Conant; Fickle & Arthur.