th century, when public amusements were
few, the people of Cooperstown found a pleasant relaxation from the hard
tasks of pioneer life in attending the trial of suits at law in the
court house. Here were large crowds of interested spectators, and the
matters of litigation were widely discussed in the taverns and homes of
the village. Cooperstown, as the county seat, was the chief battle
ground of an endless warfare among the lawyers of the region, and the
forensic struggles of the first twenty years of the century developed an
array of legal talent in Otsego county which gained the reputation of
being the ablest in the State west of the Hudson. In those days the best
lawyers were orators, and some were actors who would have done credit to
the dramatic profession. The public had its favorites among them, and
their names were known in every household. The trial practice of that
day was a keen encounter of wits between men of high native talent who
perfectly understood each other's motives, and showed infinite
dexterity in twisting facts and arguments to serve their purposes.[75]

[Illustration: AMBROSE L. JORDAN]

The ablest lawyer in the county from 1813 to 1820, when he removed to
Hudson, was Ambrose L. Jordan, who began his career in Cooperstown in
partnership with Col. Farrand Stranahan. Jordan was a commanding figure,
six feet tall, slim and graceful in figure; blue eyes that were at once
keen and kindly added lustre to the impression produced by the
sensitive features of his countenance. He had a profusion of brown curls
and a complexion as fine as a woman's. Dignified and courtly in manner,
he was as brilliant in conversation as he was impressive and powerful as
an orator. In natural eloquence Jordan was a man of the first rank.
Added to this he was a close student, and prepared his cases with great
care. He had great powers of endurance, and in long trials always
appeared fresh and strong after other advocates were exhausted. In his
pleadings before a jury he used every resource at his command, indulging
in flights of oratory that kindled the imagination, dazzling his hearers
with rhetorical tropes and figures, at times humorous and playful, with
a tendency to personal allusion most uncomfortable for his opponent.
Jordan was terrible in sarcasm. One Asbury Newman, a poor, worthless,
drunken fellow, ever ready to testify on either side for a drink of
whiskey, was brought upon the witness stand. Jordan knew his man.