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The Chariton Leader, Chariton, Iowa
Thursday, February 7, 1907
'THE BAR OF CHARITON'
As They Appear in Court in the Interest of Justice.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
E.W. DRAKE never gets excited while addressing a jury but talks in an even
tone like the ripple of the south winds through the arbor vines -- pleasing
and with a rhythm which captivates. He never presumes on anything but talks
to each member of the panel separately and then collectively as though he
has a feeling that some one might feel slighted. He seldom thrusts his
thumbs into the arm holes of his vest with an assumption of wisdom but
reasons along the lines of a shrewd practitioner who is capable of keeping
the witnesses and what they said in his mind. His attitude would not make a
striking model for the cartoonist or cause a general feeling of ennui in the
jury box. He does not talk in parables or resort to figures of speech which
need explanation or which leave doubt as to what he means. He is as
cautious as a politician during a "reform" campaign and never fails to tell
the jury that they are to decide on the evidence, the court being the
interpreter of the law, and that his client is but a modern Elijah held to
each by an unfortunate chain of circumstances. He has been known to extract
tears but usually passes over dry shod.
E.S. WELLS is poetic and dramatic and has a tongue like a Damascus sword and
keeps it well whetted up. Sometimes the jury is awed by his eloquence and
his power of repartee is a faculty with which few are endowed. He
frequently illustrates with passages from Shakespeare and often brings Dante
into court. When he gets through with his plea he has usually said all that
has a bearing on the case. He has a native wit about him that opens the way
to the jury's understanding and is willing to relieve the court of one of
its prerogatives -- that of instructing the jury, and you may be sure the
cause of his client would not suffer therein.
When S.C. HICKMAN arises to address a jury, his attitude is of one just
returned from a long journey. He arranges his authorities, sorts up the
papers in the case, bows blandly to the court and with a wave of his right
hand addresses the jury thus: "Gentlemen, it is this way." Then he proceeds
with his arguments. He is a smooth talker and is at no loss for words. You
would think he was under oath not to deviate a hairs breadth from the facts
and when he does not win out it is simply because he is on the wrong side of
the case. He is sure of his contention whether the others are convinced or
not and strictly confines his speech to the points at issue. His voice is
well modulated and he treats the jury like they were his personal friends
and were letting them into his confidences and in return they listen
attentively.
G.G. FANCHER is as much at ease before a jury as a shylock in a chamber of
commerce. He gets directly in front of it and for the time being there are
but thirteen people on earth -- he and the jury. He would shake hands with
each one separately were it not against the rules of court. His sentences
are short and positive. His ideas are clear, and his language plain. He is
not tragic in his manner, and gestures only between expressions of thought.
He is somewhat technical and no juror goes away feeling that he had been
treated to a humorous lecture at public expense. He talks as though he
wanted his client to get the worth of his money -- and would say more did he
deem it necessary.
To Be Continued . . .J.D. THRELKELD.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Copied by Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert
November 16, 2004
iggy29@rnetinc.net
http://www.rootsweb.com/~ialucas/Main.htm
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