Dansby v. Beard

Thomas Dansby brought ejectment against Alexander Beard in the Circuit Court of Bradley County for a tract of land. At the return term (September, 1880), the defendant filed an answer, and the Circuit Judge announced that he was disqualified by reason of his being related to the plaintiff, etc.; whereupon, it was agreed by the parties, a record entry shows, that ‘William P. Stephens, Esq., an attorney practicing in the court, should preside as judge in the cause, by consent, and thereupon he was sworn, and entered upon his duties as such special judge. It appears of record that he made…