PENDLETON COUNTY

Falmouth, KY., Feb. 17, 1875

Editor Journal

  The Pendleton Criminal Court convened on the 15^th inst., Judge Perkins presiding. Besides the local attorneys, there were present Messrs. Nelson and Webster, of Newport, Harry Ward, of Cynthiana, and R. T. Baker. Of Alexandria. The docket is large, but the cases, with one or two exceptions are trifling. The most important is the Digby murder case from Campbell county. This case was called on Monday, but owing to the absence of important witnesses, for whom attachments were issued, it was set for to-day, and will probably be called the first thing this morning.

   Judge Perkins is determined to have order in his court, in furtherance of which laudable purpose he has already fined two luckless individuals for standing in the Court-room, against the peace and dignity of the Commonwealth. The moral effect of this stroke of policy is good.

    Mr. Cleary makes a thoroughly efficient Prosecutor, not leaning too heavily on the individual who is more fortunate than criminal, but dreadfukky in earnest when discussing the reverse of the proposition. Messrs. Perkins and Cleary are both popular officials in Pendleton county.

    But it is aggravating in the extreme to witness the testimony of the average witness at this Court. His Honor is very determined that witnesses shall talk to the jury, and not to the attorneys, a task of Herculean dimensions, but within Judge Perkins’ capacity. I have seen his Honor condescend to fix the witnesses’ chair so that its occupant cannot fail, when rightly esconced therein, to face the jury. But when the first query is propounded by an attorney, the winess is as certain to face the interrogator, inslanter, as he is to answer, and often more so. And when the compulsion is so strongly brought to bear on him, that move his body he cannot, his head will rotate on his shoulders with a suddenness that brings to mind Gabriel Ravel of old. It is doubtless, deucedly irritating to have to look at the fellows that are not talking to you, and away from the fellows that are, but the law says, “you must do it, and if you don’t, you’ll wish you had.”

    The Criminal Court will probably last all of next week, and immediately thereafter comes the Quarterly Court, to be followed by the Circuit. What with Courts, and one blowed thing or another, Falmouth is likely to be kept pretty lively all spring.

    The Pound Gap railroad will surely terminate at Falmouth. The required stock is said to be taken, and other conditions being harmonious assurances are given which quiet the anxious beatings of the hearts of our enterprising citizens, which with one accord, beat in the direction of the Cumberlands.

    The community was startled this evening by the report of the death of Mr. John Pendergast, which occurred about 3 o’clock in the afternoon. Mr. Pendergast’s disease was, I believe, congestion of the lungs. He was in tolerable health yesterday, and his sudden decease caused surprise as well as grief to a large number of friends. Mr. Pendergast was a young man of probably thirty-five.

    The vote on the town of Falmouth taking $20,000 additional stock in the Pound Gap road, resulted in 142 votes in the affirmative to one solitary one in the negative. The vote was taken on the 13^th inst.

    Editor JOURNAL, hide your blushes while I whisper in your ear that Mr. Jake Simon, our popular County Attorney says that the JOURNAL is the best unmetropolitan newspaper he has ever seen. Jake is a lad of penetration and generally knows whereof he speaks. Now, you may unveil, while I finish this rambling communication.

    Legislative aspirants for both Houses are lifting their stately heads, but of this matter I will treat as developments increase. Be patient, then, if you possibly can.                                                                                                                               CON.

Falmouth Independent

BIRTH, - On the 16^th inst., to the wife of W. B. Riggs, a son.

DIED, - On the 2^nd inst., in this county, Mrs. Mary Bonar, wife of Mr. Samuel M. Bonar.

HYDROPHOBIA, - There is danger of our county becoming afflicted with mad-dogs. Two have been killed within the past week; one in Demossville and one at Butler.

Religious revivals have been in progress during the past week, conducted by the Presbyterian and Christian denominations. Six additions have been made to the former, and fourteen to the latter.

GENERAL ROW IN SCHOOL – On the 2^nd inst., so we are informed, a general fight took place in school district No. 55, taught by a young man by the name of Clifford. It seems that the teacher attempted to correct a young man, when he and his two brothers turned upon him and would undoubtedly have used him badly had it not been for the interference of other scholars. After the separation the obsifeperous young men repaired to their home, and were reinforced by their father and two brothers-in-law; all making a charge upon the school-house, armed with a number of knives and an axe. After making violent threats the party left the house without causing any blood to be shed. The whole party was arrested and tried before ‘Squire Knight and jury; who assessed a fine of twenty-seven dollars and fifty cents. The teacher was exonerated. The affair was disgraceful in the extreme. County Attorney Simon was present and attended to the prosecution, and Judge Simmons appeared for the defendants. The fine, costs and lawyer’s fee amounted to about seventy dollars. They paid for their whistle.