Spirit of Jefferson
Court of Appeals
July 29, 1873.
In pursuance of an act of the last Legislature, the first Court of Appeals ever witnessed in Charlestown will commence its August term on the 6th of next month. At each August term of the Court, which under the law as it now stands must always be held in Charlestown, will be tried all cases of Appeal from the second judicial Division, composed of the third and fourth Circuits, embracing the eight counties east of the Alleghany mountains. We may reasonably expect therefore a little sprinkling of the legal fraternity from most of these counties; and possibly some of the litigants will think it necessary to follow on behind in order to keep an eye upon those whom they have employed to look after their interests. Our town will no doubt be full to overflowing with strangers. Fourteen or fifteen years ago, when Peace and Plenty, twin sisters, reigned supreme in Jefferson county, these visitors would have been shown an hospitality worthy of any other portion of the Old Dominion in her palmiest days. But Plenty has long since abdicated her throne, and instead of her sister Peace, an entirely different female of that name, of the strong minded sisterhood, and who passeth all understanding, has come among us, and with her as an inseparable friend, has brought Poverty, the mortal enemy of Plenty. We are afraid, therefore, that our visitors, from no fault of ours, will not fare as well under the new order of things as they would have done in days of yore; but, nevertheless, we will ensure them a hearty reception at the hands of our people.
Upon last Friday, the Law Library Association of Jefferson county received four hundred of the books purchased by the county for the use of the Court, and we understand there are about three hundred more expected. These, with the Washington Library, borrowed by the Association, and the contributions by the several lawyers from their private libraries, will amount to about 1,600 volumes.
The docket of the Court shows eighteen cases set for trial at the coming term, and we are informed there are some five or six more not upon the docket which, by consent of parties, will probably be tried. If after a few sessions of the Court among us, the people of Jefferson regret any little outlay which was necessary to render the Court a permanency at Charlestown, we shall be greatly mistaken - that's all.