Democratic Sentinel, Volume 18, Number 39, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 October 1894 — The Court Drew the Line. [ARTICLE]

The Court Drew the Line.

Judge W. W. Walling, who ha* been holding court out in the late Judge Marr’s old district by a special appointment by the governor, tells a characteristic story of Marr. The latter, though a stickler for the bench, was a great pipe smoker and allowed the attorneys the privilege of smoking in court. On one occasion he was trying a murder case at Carrizo Springs, in which there was much suppressed excitement and so much bad feeling that it was feared trouble might break out at any moment. Late one afternoon, while the opposing counsel were arguing the case and the feelings of the spectators were wrought up to the highest pitch, a solid old citize'n sitting just under the judge’s stand deliberately filled his pipe and with a graceful sweep of his arm drew a parlor match across his jean pants leg in such a fashion as to light it with a loud, sharp crack. The court and jury were startled and everybody looked around in a startled manner, as if expecting a general fusilade to follow, whereupon Marr, quickly apprehended the situation and rebuked the pipe smoker as follows: “Gentlemen, the court tolerates smoking in the courtroom. In fact the court smokes itself, but it must draw the line at gentlemen lighting their pipes with their six-shooters.” [Galveston News.