by Alex Brooks
In the last episode, Holcomb was hauled into court because of a quarrel with one Zachariah Chapman. Chapman apparently owed Holcomb money, which was not paid soon enough to suit Holcomb, and according to Chapman, Holcomb accused him of having money stashed in his clock with which he could pay his debts if he chose. Chapman apparently angry upon hearing that Holcomb said this about him, marched over to Holcomb’s door-yard, where there was some kind of confrontation. The matter was submitted for arbitration at the house of John Russel, which is where we join the scene now.
“I was accused of assault and battery by said Chapman. Chapman witnesses were John Russel and Barnum Clark. They swore that I came out the barn and pushed him and elbowed and run him down the hill. My witness was Benedick Woodward and sister Eleanor. They swore that said Chapman came to my barn door and threatened me if I came out the barn he would split me down with my sled stake or anything that he could get hold of, and I went out the barn to him and folded my arms and stepped up to him but did not touch him, and dared him to strike, but neither of us touched.”
The arbitrators decided that there was no cause of action, and the proceeding was dismissed.
“Now our trouble and expense is as follows: in addition to my two dol 80 cents (paid to the arbitrators) I am to pay said Booge (Holcomb’s lawyer) one dol and 75 cents, and said Chapman had to pay one Toby, attorney at law of New Lebanon two dol and 50 cents for writing me a saucy letter, and I am told that he had to pay Hosey Moffett two dol for pleading his case, and we each had a quart of liquor drunk. This evening I took the single wagon and carried said Booge home, and I paid Benedick Woodward 63 cents for leaving his school and tending to the said arbitration. Said Woodward did not charge anything, but I gave him that for walking out here and leaving his school.
A good many people tended said arbitration to the house of John Russell and were disappointed in said Chapman’s finding no cause of action, according to his report round about the neighborhood.”
Feb. 15, Thursday: “I took the sleigh and carried E.F. Booge three bushel of corn and one bushel of rye at 3/6 pence per bushel, which pays him for his services on Monday the 12th.”