The Pike County Journal Zebulon, Pike Co., Friday, December 15, 1893 ‘Round About Short Items for Home Folks Especially Mr. John W. Hamil of West Pike was in town last Tuesday to settle up the cost in a famous little case growing out of the stock law. Several years ago, J.J. Cox, a neighbor of Mr. Hamil put up two small pigs belonging to the latter and charged him six dollars damage to his goober patch. A board of arbitration was selected and that board found that no damages had been sustained and that Mr. Hamil was entitled to his pigs, which were worth about $1 each. Cox refused to deliver them and Hamil told him that he would take one of the pigs and let him (Cox) have the other as damages. But Mr. Cox would not entertain any such proposition. Then after six or eight months, and after having refused to allow Hamil to give bond and take his pigs, Cox sues for about $16 for feed and attention to hogs. This case was won by Cox. Hamil employed Judge Dupree to represent him and the case was carried to the superior court where Hamil was again defeated. But not content with the decision of the court he carried his case to the supreme court where every decision in the bill was sustained and Cox was directed to pay all cost which amounted to about $50. Hamil had been paying the cost as it accrued himself, and his trip here on Tuesday was to put back into his pocket the money that had eaked [sic] out to the amount of $50. (Transcribed 9/25/02 Lynn Cunningham)