Into the Archives: Transcription Tues…Thursday
If you have browsed our Tumblr, our main blog, our website, or our collection in the UMN Law Library catalog, then you are probably aware of our unrivaled collection of Clarence Darrow letters, books, etc. Most of our Darrow letters have been transcribed, digitized and made available via our Clarence Darrow Digital Collection, but some of the original purchase of letters, and some newer acquisitions, have not been. For that reason, we have begun a new project to transcribe and upload as many of the remaining letters as possible. It is easily one of my favorite parts of working with old correspondence and can really give you a unique look into the writer’s brain, but it can also be challenging. The letter above was one such example, which was worth the extra effort. (Stay tuned for a more detailed main blog post in the future...)
This letter between Clarence Darrow and Judge Nelson G. Hyde was written in Darrow’s second year as a practicing attorney. In the letter, Darrow requests a continuance of a case due to his inability to travel to court in Jefferson City from Ashtabula because his wife, Jennie Ohl, was ill. The letter gives an interesting look at the early years of Darrow’s practice, when he is a “simple” country lawyer. Here he is refining his craft and gaining valuable experience in the courtroom, working with judges and opposing counsel. The stakes in Ashtabula County are lower than when he starts getting involved with the big labor cases that will make him one of the nation’s first celebrity lawyers. Perhaps this small corner or northeast Ohio turned out to be the perfect training ground for him.
I’ve included our working transcription below, and would love any suggestions on the words five missing words. We have done these sorts of quizzes with our students; I hope you find it as enjoyable as they do!
May 2nd 1881
Mr. Hyde
Dr. Sir
I wrote you at New Lyme this morning but I see by Pettibone’s dispatch that you are at Jeff. [Jefferson, Ohio]. My wife was taken very sick & I did not dare leave her or I should be over there today. I got notice today that ____ by ____ would make a motion to dismiss Heath’s attachment tomorrow at 2pm, of course it is done to let [the] claim in ahead. His grounds were, first, insufficient affidavit, 2nd affidavit not true. Of course if the first existed it could be remedied if you know the evidence or surrounding the second … I can not leave my wife and go to New Lyme tomorrow so I will be obliged to get a few days continuance of the case & will trust you cared that no advantage is taken of Heath in my absence. Of course ____ mention is made simply to get ____ claim ahead ____ he has made no more in Randolph’s case. I would grant continuance in Randolph’s case to accommodate you or Pettibone if it would not hurt Randolph’s interest by narrowing it over time of sale of real estate.
Very truly
Clarence Darrow
I see you are before the grand jury
