Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly vol. 24.djvu/435

 Diary of Rev. George Gary — IV 403 will have a trial between his bragging and clamorous honor and his fears of personal danger. I am satisfied Judge Thornton will run any risk rather than retract. So here we are, not knowing what an hour or a minute may bring forth. With regard to the election, the strife is between tem- perance and alcohol; George Abernethy, temperance; A. L. Lovejoy, red faces. Evening: The county has given a small majority in favor of Mr. Abernethy. The day has passed without bloodshed between our road hunter champions and Judge Thornton. Nismith sent a challenge for a duel, it is supposed, but Judge Thornton refused to receive any communication from him or have any conference with him; and the mighty bustle has ended (I suppose) in a scurrilous hand bill issued by the said Nismith and posted up in sundry places, filled with low and villifying epithets concerning the judge. 13 Is this the mouse the mountain has brought forth? When I was a boy, if I remember right, I heard it said, "A barking dog seldom bites." The Supreme court organized or opened today and then adjourned until tomorrow. Tuesday, 8. From the reports of election from ad- joining counties, there is reason to apprehend that alco- hol has gained the day. Wednesday, 9. The Supreme court this day reversed the judgment obtained in circuit court against H. B. Brewer for a yoke of oxen left in said Brewer's care in the fall of 1843. The cause is referred back to the circuit 13 The hand bill referred to was as follows: To the World!! J. Quinn Xhornton, having resorted to low, cowardly and dishonorable means for the purpose of injuring my character and standing, and having refused honorable satisfaction, which I have de- manded; I avail my self of this opportunity of publishing him to the world as a reclaimless liar, an infamous scoundrel, a blackhearted villian, an arrant coward, a worthless vagabond, and an imported miscreant; a disgrace to the profession and a dishonor to his country. Oregon City, June 7, 1847. James W. Nesmith.