Senator Vest's World Famous Tribute to Old Drum
The shooting of Charles Burden's prize hunting dog became the center of a heated court battle featuring four lawyers, each partnered with their opponent from the Civil War era.
The original site of the trial of "Old Drum", the 1838 Old Courthouse, has been restored and is maintained as a museum by the Johnson County Historical Society just north of the Mary Miller Smiser Heritage Library and County Archives at 302 North Main.
Follow Gay Street four blocks west to Main Street and turn left to find the Old Courthouse Square. Visitors welcome.
——————————
(By Senator George Graham Vest)
"Gentlemen of the jury: the best friend a man has in this world may turn against him and become his enemy. His son or daughter that he has reared with loving care may prove ungrateful. Those who are nearest and dearest to us, those whom we trust with our happiness and good name, may become traitors to their faith. The money that a man has he may lose. It flies away from him, perhaps when he needs it the most. A man's reputation may be sacrificed in a moment of ill-considered action. The people who are prone to fall on their knees to do us honor when success is with us may be the first to throw the stone of malice when failure settles
this page online
Gentlemen of the jury a man's dog stands by him in prosperity and in poverty, in health and in sickness. He will sleep on the cold ground where the wintry winds blow and the snow drives fiercely if only he may be near his master's side. He will kiss the hand that has no food to offer he will lick the wounds and sores that come in encounters with the roughness of the world. He guards the sleep of his pauper master as if he were a prince. When all other friends desert he remains. When riches take wings and reputation falls to pieces, he is as constant in his love as the sun in its journey through the heavens. If fortune drives the master forth an outcast in the world, friendless and homeless the faithful dog asks no higher privilege than that of accompanying him to guard him against danger to fight against his enemies. And when the last scene of all comes, and death takes the master in its embrace and his body is laid away in the cold ground, no matter if all other friends pursue their way, there by his graveside will the noble dog be found, his head between his paws, his eyes sad but open in alert watchfulness, faithful and true even in death.
Topics. This historical marker
Location. 38° 45.893′ N, 93° 44.43′ W. Marker is in Warrensburg, Missouri, in Johnson County. Marker is at the intersection of Holden Street and Hout Street, on the left when traveling north on Holden Street. Monument is at the SE corner of the county courthouse grounds. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 300 North Holden Street, Warrensburg MO 64093, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Johnson County Courthouse (a few steps from this marker); Pertle Springs (within shouting distance of this marker); Johnson County Centennial (within shouting distance of this marker); War Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Welcome to Blind Boone Park (approx. 0.4 miles away); John William Boone (approx. half a mile away); Old Public Square (approx. half a mile away); Johnson County's Old Courthouse (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Warrensburg.
Also see . . .
1. George Graham Vest's Tribute to the Dog. Great Speeches Collection website entry (Submitted on July 15, 2015, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
2. George Graham Vest. Biographical Directory of the U.S. Congress website entry (Submitted on July 15, 2015, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
3. Warrensburg, Missouri, History. City website entry (Submitted on July 15, 2015, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Credits. This page was last revised on July 7, 2022. It was originally submitted on July 15, 2015, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 437 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on July 15, 2015, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.
