"Saga of the bitten ear", from:
Clerk of Courts Office
Whitley County, Kentucky
Williamsburg, KY 40769
Court Order Book 2
July Term 1820
John Hart appeared in court under an attachment awarded against him on yesterday for his contempt in not appearing as a witness for the commonwealth vs. Cornelius Gatliff and being sworn cleared himself of the contempt alleged: whereupon by order of the court the said John Hart was recognized in 200$ to appear here on the 1st day of the next term to give witness upon this indictment against the sd. Cornelius Gatliff for feloniously biting off part of the ear of the sd. John Hart.
July Term 1820, next entry:
The commonwealth vs. Cornelius Gatliff. Upon an Indt. for feloniously biting off part of the ear of John Hart. The said deft. appd. in discharge of his recognizance and by order of the court the said Cornelius Gatliff with James Gatliff his surety was recognize in the amount of 300$ with conditions to appear.
July Term continued, next entry:
Cornelius Gatliff vs. John Hart dismissed by order of the plaintiff.