d putting
it into his pocket.

"My friend," said Jordan, "I advise you to put back the watch. If you do
not, you will get yourself into trouble."

The deputy was obdurate, however, and left the office, taking with him
the watch. With all possible expedition a writ and other papers in a
replevin suit were prepared for an action of Stranahan against the
deputy sheriff. The sheriff of the county was found, the replevin writ
put into his hands, which he at once served on the deputy, took back the
watch and delivered it to the owner. The deputy sheriff called on the
farmer to indemnify him in the replevin suit, which he felt compelled to
do. The result of the affair, which was soon arrived at, was this: the
plaintiff succeeded in the replevin suit, the costs of which amounted to
over one hundred dollars. The judgment obtained by the extortionate
farmer was about twenty dollars, and he finally had to pay over to
Jordan, as Stranahan's attorney, the difference between these sums.[77]

When Ambrose Jordan began the practice of law in Cooperstown he planted
an elm tree on Chestnut Street in front of his home, at the northwest
corner of Main Street. This elm, grown to mighty proportions, celebrated
its one hundredth birthday in 1913. Within a few paces of the corner,
facing on Main Street, and in the rear of the dwelling which fronts
Chestnut Street, stood the small building that Jordan occupied as an
office. This is one of the few remaining examples of the detached law
offices which were common in Cooperstown, as in other villages, in early
days, and often stood in the dooryard of a lawyer's residence.[78]

[Illustration: _C. A. Schneider_

JORDAN'S HOME, AND HIS LAW OFFICE]

Jordan's partner, Col. Stranahan, was less conspicuous as a lawyer than
as a soldier and politician. He was in command of a regiment throughout
the War of 1812, and received official commendation for gallantry. On
his record for military service and personal popularity he was elected
senator, from what was then known as the Western District, in 1814, and
again in 1823. During this period he became the recognized leader of the
Otsego Democracy. Stranahan was a poor man, and his official service was
rendered at the sacrifice of his law practice. When Cooperstown
celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of our national independence, Col.
Stranahan, because of his debts, was a prisoner in the county jail. A
multitude of people from every part of the county had