Page:The Green Bag (1889–1914), Volume 03.pdf/196

 The Supreme Court of Missouri. paper, and placed his lines far apart. His Hannibal, etc., R. R. Co., 69 Mo. 416; Ford practice not to dot his "i's," nor to cross his v. Hennessey, 70 Mo. 580. "t's," and to eschew loops, so that all let William Scott. ters above and below the line bore a striking similarity, made his manuscript appear as Without the benefit of the same early Greek to one unfamiliar with it. Those who advantages, and denied the same graces of knew the peculiarity of his writing found it person and intellect which fell to the lot of an easy thing to read the page before them, his friend and associate Judge Napton, Wil unraarred by blot, erasure, or interlineation, liam Scott's sterling integrity, sound com

and the careful pro mon-sense, and deep duct of deliberation knowledge of the law by one who was a nevertheless gained thorough and intel for him a place in the ligent master of the front rank of Missouri subject touched upon. jurists; and many ac During his last cord him the very first term of service Judge place. Warrenton, Napton was in the Fauquier County, Vir full possession of a ginia, was his birth well-stored mind, and place, and he first saw the light of day June delivered a large num 7, 1804. Tradition ber of opinions which will ever stand as has it that Mr. Justice splendid monuments Swayne and Senator to his pre-eminent Henry S. Foote were abilities. Full com among his classmates. pensation will come The former also stud to him who will read ied law at Warrenton, and study his deliv and the latter was like erances in State ex wise a native of Fau rel. v. Vail, 53 Mo. quier County. Judge 97; State v. Clarke, Scott was admitted to the bar in Virginia, 54 Mo. 17; Vogler PHILEMON BLISS. p. Montgomery, 54 but at once removed Mo. 577; Kane v. to Missouri, settling at McCowan, 55 Mo. 181; De Jarnette v. De Old Franklin in 1827. He remained there a Giverville, 56 Mo. 440 (dissenting); Wan- few years, and then removed to Jefferson City, nell v. Kem, 57 Mo. 478; Morrow v. Ben the State capital. Here he practiced his pro son, 61 Mo. 345; Paris v. Haley, 61 Mo. fession, and in his spare moments kept the books of the then State Treasurer, and taught 453; Miller v. Dunn, 62 Mo. 216; Hamil ton v. Boggess, 63 Mo. 233; Grayson v. the higher branches to the sons of prominent Weddle, 63 Mo. 523; Owen v. Ellis, 64 Mo. citizens. About 1834 he was appointed Cir 77; Scotland County v. Missouri, etc., R. R. cuit Attorney for the judicial circuit east of to., 65 Mo. 123; Ranken v. Patton, 65 Mo. Jefferson City, which caused him to remove 378; Brannock v. Dyer, 66 Mo. 391; Don- to Union, Missouri. In following the plan of nell v. Harshe, 67 Mo. 170; Stillson v. Han verifying the existing histories and sketches nibal, etc. R. R. Co., 67 Mo. 671; Reinders of the judges of the early days, it is to be re v. Koppelmann, 68 Mo. 482; Cagney v. gretted that those of Judge Scott are found