Judge Doolittle held a special term of court for Rock County

The evidence

• “In September, 1853, James R. Doolittle, of Racine, was elected, and entered upon the discharge of the duties of Judge of the First Judicial Circuit, and first held a special term for Rock County, commencing on the 7th day of February, 1854. The celebrated case of the State vs. David F. Mayberry, for the murder of Andrew Alger, was tried before Judge Doolittle in July, 1854, particulars of which are hereafter given. Judge Doolittle gained the confidence and esteem of the bar, and all with whom he came in contact.”

  1879-history-of-rock-county/10-rock-county-ch04-early-maps-courts-railroads.md, PDF p. 361 / book p. 365

  Butterfield, C. W., et al. The History of Rock County, Wisconsin: its early settlement, growth, development, resources, etc. Chicago: Western Historical Company, 1879. Cornell University Library via the Internet Archive, archive.org/details/cu31924028871585.

  Grade A: Found on a page of one of our sources

  

• “Doolittle, of Racine, a lawyer of distinguished ability, and a man of the highest character, was elected judge of the First judicial district. A special term of court for Rock county was convened under Judge Doolittle on February 7, 1854, and he continued in that office, winning the esteem of all by his courtly and dignified demeanor, his fairness and thorough knowledge of the law, until March, 1856, when he resigned. During the interval until an election could be held, Mr. Charles M. Baker, of Geneva, served by appointment, and in April, 1854, Mr. John M.”

  1908-brown-rock-county/32-courts-and-legal-profession.md, Vol. 2, PDF p. 211 / book p. 715

  Brown, William Fiske, editor. Rock County, Wisconsin: A New History of Its Cities, Villages, Towns, Citizens and Varied Interests, from the Earliest Times, Up to Date. Chicago: C. F. Cooper & Co., 1908. 2 vols. archive.org/details/rockcountywiscon01brow, archive.org/details/rockcountywiscon02brow.

  Grade A: Found on a page of one of our sources