in the County, law abiding and never had and never intended to do harm to any one, and certainly not to the Court or Judge. Whereupon, after an hour in the County jail, Mr. Dryer was released by order of the Judge." The Bar of Montgomery County has always been in favor of internal improvements. In 1852 when the question was submitted for subscription by the County of $50,000.00 of the Capital Stock of Alton & Terre Haute R. R., Judge E. Y. Rice, William Brewer and Francis Springer, D. D., and others made a vigorous campaign resulting in carrying the measure favorably. The road was built through the County in 1854. Again in 1868 what is now the Wabash Railroad was contemplating its construction. The County, through the efforts of the members of the Bar voted and subscribed for $50,000.00 of stock of the Company. Many incidents might be related, which would add humor, but one or two more will have to suffice. Robert W. Davis, a son of James M. Davis, who came from Bond County, was a licensed attorney but was more of a politician than a lawyer, gave but little attention to the law, although he had his card in the local papers as follows: "Robert W. Davis, attorney at law, will practice in Justice Court and in easy cases in the Circuit Court." Perhaps one of the most brilliant lawyers in the County, if not one of the best jurists, was the late Jesse J. Phillips, gallant Colonel of the Ninth Illinois Vol., Circuit Judge and afterward Justice of the Supreme Court of the State. His analysis of the evidence was clear and comprehensive and his application of the principles of law to a given state of facts was good. As illustrating his sense of Justice in the prosecution of criminals, the following case will show: In 1882 Ezekiel Perrine, a farmer living near Girard in the West side of our County, was robbed of $4,000 in gold, which he hoarded at his home, rather than trust it in the banks. The family were bound and gagged, and the gold taken by three men, one a negro. A man by the name of Brown, was arrested in Chicago, as one of the guilty parties and the negro was arrested in St. Louis. The third man was never detected. The two were indicted and put upon trial at Hillsboro, Judge Phillips presiding. The negro had no money and the Court appointed the late Judge E. Lane and Major Robert McWilliams to defend him. He agreed to tell all about how the robbery was committed and enter a plea of guilty. The Court room was crowded with spectators. The case was made against Brown without the evidence of the negro. However, the State, before closing the case, put the colored man on the stand. He told a straight story, corroborating the other evidence in the case. It was time for adjournment when his direct evidence was concluded. After supper the negro was called for cross examination. The story developed by his cross examination contradicted his statement made on direct examination. The jury however, convicted Brown, and fixed his punishment at the maximum,—twenty years in the penitentiary. When the negro was called to enter his plea of guilty, Judge Phillips before announcing the penalty, said: "When a person accused of a crime enters a plea of guilty and thereby saves the County the expense and time of a trial, he is entitled to due consideration, and should not receive the maximum punishment, therefore taking into consideration your plea of guilty and the facts in the case, the Court sentences you to imprisonment in the pentitentiary at Chester at hard labor for the period of nineteen years, one day thereof to be in solitary confinement." At this his attorneys vigorously protested and asked to withdraw his plea. The judge replied it was too late. The evidence shows that this defendant held a hammer in his hand and threatened to kill the two girls of the family if they attempted to move or make an outcry. The County of Montgomery has a population of about 40,000; many are of the third generation of the pioneers who first settled in the County. They are frugal, industrious and law-abiding, and One Hundred Per Cent American. She has given 1500 of her sons, in whose veins flow the red blood of patriotism, ready to make the supreme sacrifice, that the autocratic military castes of Germany may be brought to their knees and that a lasting Peace, founded on Justice and righteousness may be secured. Behind these boys stand our people, willing and ready to do everything possible for their comfort while at the front. Every drive for funds for the Red Cross, Y. M. C. A., Liberty Bonds and Thrift Stamps have been subscribed for over 100 per cent over the top in each instance. The spirit of patriotism runs high. The ideals of our people are of the loftiest. This condition has been aroused to a higher degree than ever before, through the influence of the local press of our County, and especially the "Montgomery News," the editorials of which gave expression to the thoughts and ideals of the rural population, far better than those of the metropolitan press. We are a people who love peace, but not peace at any price. The diabolical atrocities of the Huns must be avenged, and the principles for which our flag stands, democratic ideals, must and will prevail through the nations of the earth, so that a lasting Peace may be established and this old war-stricken world made a decent place in which to live. Following remarks by Judge T. M. Jett, and J. Earl Major, the meeting adjourned. The meeting was followed by a very enjoyable automobile ride, and reception to the visiting lawyers at the home of President George D. Chafee. |