Why is there a bronze bust of Old Drum displayed in the Supreme Court of Missouri? The story of Old Drum was a favorite of Judge Warren Welliver, who served on the Court from 1979 to 1989. Welliver’s family presented the statue to the Supreme Court of Missouri Historical Society, which Judge Welliver personally
The real story of Old Drum even inspired a film in 2000 called The Trial of Old Drum, which resets the story in the 1950s and recasts Charles Burden as a child. Fortunately, in this version Old Drum is only incarcerated on suspicion of killing sheep. In addition to the bust of Old Drum at the Supreme Court of Missouri, there is also a statue of the dog outside the Johnson County Courthouse in Warrensburg. Recognizing the truth that the most unselfish friend one can have is a dog, the Missouri Senate officially designated Old Drum as “Missouri’s Historical Dog” in 2017. Reprinted with permission. Article taken from The Missouri Bar website; https://news. mobar.org/old-drum-missouris-official- historic-dog
The Old Johnson County Courthouse, Warrensburg, MO The old courthouse, in use from 1842 to 1898, has been restored to its appearance when the trial took place in 1870
Cockrell. These four lawyers would later become so successful that they would become known as Missouri’s Big Four. The fourth trial over Old Drum began Sept. 21, 1870. Hornsby admitted to having his nephew shoot at a dog, but vehemently denied that the dog was Old Drum. George Vest took the floor for closing remarks and delivered a speech that never mentioned Charles Burden or Old Drum, but rather, presented an emotional tribute to the relationship between dogs and their owners. Later, his closing statement would be written down and titled “Eulogy of the Dog.” This speech swayed the jury in favor of Charles Burden. The litigation did not stop there. Hornsby appealed the decision to the Supreme Court of Missouri, based on both allowing the first request to be amended and because a new trial was granted. In 1872, the Supreme Court of Missouri decided it was perfectly proper to make the correction to the claim from $100 to $50 but that it was also proper to grant a new trial based on additional evidence. Charles Burden had finally won his case and justice for the death of Old Drum.
founded in 1982 to preserve the history of the Court and its architectural splendor for future generations.
Missouri Pet Breeders Association | Page 11
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