After
exhibiting his character in its true light, ringing all the changes upon
his worthlessness, and ridiculing his opponent for bringing him there,
he closed by saying, "Gentlemen of the jury, I will convince you that
this degenerate specimen of humanity is not the son of the saintly and
exemplary Elder Asbury Newman, but that he is the legitimate son of
Beelzebub the prince of devils. He is an eyesore to his father, a sore
eye to his mother, a vagabond upon earth, and a most damnable liar!"
Poor Asbury never appeared in court as a witness afterwards.[76]

Jordan would never submit to being imposed upon by sharp practice. On
one occasion, as he was returning homeward in the early evening from the
trial of a case in a neighboring village, his wagon broke down. There
was some snow on the ground, and a farmer in a lumber sleigh was gliding
by, when Jordan requested his assistance to reach Cooperstown, some five
miles away. The two put the broken wagon on the sleigh, and leading the
disengaged horse, drove on to Jordan's home. No bargain had been made,
and when, at the journey's end, Jordan inquired what he should pay, the
sharp farmer named a most extortionate sum. Jordan then declared that
the pay demanded was three times as much as the service was worth; yet
rather than have any hard feeling about the matter he would pay double
price: but more he would not pay. The offer was refused, and the farmer
departed, breathing threats.

Within a few days a summons was served on Jordan to appear before a
justice who was a near neighbor and friend of the farmer. On the trial
the justice gave judgment for the plaintiff for the full amount of the
claim, and costs. As soon as the law would permit, execution was issued
on this judgment, and placed in the hands of a deputy sheriff for
collection.

Jordan managed to have information of the coming of the officer to
collect this judgment. His law partner, Col. Stranahan, was the owner of
a handsome gold watch and chain, which for that occasion Jordan
borrowed, and hung up conspicuously from a nail on the front of the desk
at which he was writing, in the little office building which then stood
on Main Street, near Jordan's home.

When the officer entered, saying that he had an execution against him,
Jordan asserted that he did not intend to pay it.

"Then," said the officer, "my duty requires me to levy on your property,
and I shall take this,"--at the same time taking the watch, an