If the judge of a court fail to attend at the time and place appointed for holding his court, the sheriff shall have power to adjourn the court, from day to day, until the regular or assigned judge attend or a judge pro tempore be selected; but if the judge be not present in his court, nor a judge be assigned or a judge pro tempore be selected, within two (2) days after the first day of the term, then the court shall stand adjourned for the term. The sheriff shall exercise the powers and duties conferred and imposed upon him by the statutes of this state and by the common law.
R.L. 1910, § 5338.