History of Vernon County, Wisconsin. Together with sketches of its towns and villages, educational, civil, military and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens.

              HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY.
188
mer. The following morning Johnson returned to his home, some distance from Westaby, and shortly afterward hauled some wood from the timber. A few days after the occurrence he was taken very ill, went crazy, and soon died. Olson was arrested, charged with the crime of manslauhter. He denied that he knew any¬ thing about who struck the blow, and plead "not guilty." The trial excited great interest. Sixty witnesses were summoned and examined and the jury found Olson "not guilty."
The case of State vs. Bradly G. Emmons and Sally L. Tripp, for adultery, came before the circuit court at the fall term, 1880. Emmons was the hired man of Mr. Tripp, the husband of the co-defendant, in the tow^n of Hillsboro. She plead guilty, and was sentenced by the county judge to pay a fine of $200. It was paid by her husband. Emmons was tried by circuit court, found guilty, and sentenced to two years in the penitentiary.
In the summer of 1881 Thomas and James Riley were arrested for burglary.    They had
entered the store building of Albert and Au¬ gust Zabolio, at Genoa, and stole $92. They were bound over to the circuit in the sum of $200 each, and upon depositing the amount with the sheriff they were released upon their own recognizance. Upon gaining their free¬ dom they both fled to some of the western ter¬ ritories and forfeited their bail.
COUNTY  COURT.
County courts, or as they are generally termed, probate courts, were created by the constitution
of the State, adopted in 1848. For a time they were vested with civil and criminal jurisdiction but this was soon taken from them. The name probate court expresses the jurisdiction which county courts now possess. Terms of this court are held monthly. In connection with the chap¬ ter upon county representation, the office of county judge is treated at length, showing who h ve filled the position since the reorganization of the county.
CHAPTER     XVI.
THE BAR OF VERNON COUNTY.
There is no class or profession which has more influence in social or political matters than the bar. Even the press, which wields a mighty power among the masses, does not sur¬ pass it, as matters treated are generally local and varying. The pulpit, a great worker of good, is more devoted to the moral and spirit¬ ual welfare of man. But the profession of law embraces all under one grand aim. Upon the few principles of natural justice is erected the whole superstructure of civil law, tending to relieve the wants and meet the desires of all alike.   The grand object of law is equal justice
to all. Laws are formed as exigences arise de¬ manding them, by the representatives of the people. Change is necessary. The wants of the people of to-day, and the lawful restraints to be thrown around us of the present age differ from those of past years. They are either too lenient or too severe; in one case to be strength¬ ened, in the other modified. The business of the lawyer does not call upon him to form laws; but it lies with him to interpret them and make their application to the daily wants of men. Every matter of importance, every question of weight among all classes and grades of 80ci<aty,