This is the history: One morning Charles Burden discovered that his greyhound Old Drum has been murdered. Given the evidences such as the munition type and the place where the body was found, he knew that the perpetration was no one else but his neighbor. He also knew that the neighbor did not do it for self defense but it was a cold blood act.

This is how Charles Burden decided to start a prosecution against Leónidas Hornsby, his neighbor, the Old Drum killer. It was 1872 and Doctor George Vest gave this speech to the court jury of Warrensdburg, Missouri on the United States:

“Gentleman of the jury: The best friend that a man could have, can turn against him and become his enemy.  His children that were raised with love and dedication can show ingratitude. Those that are closer to our heart, those who we consider worthy of our trust can become traitors.

The money that a man can collect can also be gone and in the moment that will be most needed. A man can lose his reputation in a moment of temporal madness and insanity.  People are always there to cheer us up on our success, but they will be the first that will throw us the stone if we fail.

The only absolute friend that a man can have in this selfish world, the only one who will not betray him or deny him, is his DOG.

Gentleman of the jury, a man’s dog is always on his side on prosperity and poorness, on health and sickness, the dog will sleep on the cold floor where the wind blows and the snow falls only to be next to his owner.

It will kiss the hand that will not have food to offer, it will lick the wounds and bitterness produced by the daily battle against this bitter world.

If the misfortune leaves its owner without home and friends, the dog will only request the privilege of join its owner to defend him from his enemies.

And when the last act comes, and death appears, the body is buried on the cold ground, nevertheless how many friends have gone by then. There, next to the tomb, the noble animal will remain with its head between its legs, sad eyes but wide open and alert, noble and sincere beyond death.”

A deep silence filled the room when the Dr. Vest ended his speech. The jury decided in a unanimous way to punish Leónidas Hornsby, and the phrase “The dog is man’s best friend” became popular forever.