Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1849-02-26
ALABAMA JUSTICE.

Inv io@o"iii5s3 CIGrei toiu ny oOIieS
pendent of the N. York Spirit of the Times, il
the last number Of that Journal:
When the Creek Indians inhabited Alabama
there We're several magistrates appointed who hac
extensive jurisdiction, Their power, and The
extent OF territory over which it spread, made
these magistrates, in power, equal TO a ters.oria
governor One OF these magistrates was a well
known 'character,' Who resided in Turkey Town,
an Indian village On the Coosa liver He had q
marshal who was known in his tribe as Money
CRIES" This magistrate WIS remarkable for his
contempt of legal opinions and judicial forms
Z guiiy' was his lobby-and when his notions
Of right and justice came in contact with 'aw :,
the latter was forced to give way. He thought
The customs of the Indians more 'E cuitabe' than
the law OF Congress, and he never failed in such
cases to set aside the latter, 'Moneycries' CO
operated heartily with She court'-and by theil
combined efforts they managed to deal out justice
with certainty, but sometimes with real Indian
severity.
The following scene once occurred 'in court: ,
MAGisTRaTE-'Ihs court is held to try case
in which Little Chubby Greek Indian is de-
PENDANT, and Tom Dale, grocery keeper is plain
tiff. Dale claims $40 fiom Little Chubby : and
Chubby says he paid it sin beaver skins Sen
tiemen, continued the magistrate, addressing the
bystanders, 'Eugins amt likely to lie when they
owe white man. But white men WILL lie,
when they trade with the Ingins. This is the
experience of my court Proceed gentlemen,
with this case
The attorney for Tom Dale proceeded to make
ont his case. Dale swoie that his debt was Just,
true and a,apaid.' He then introduced witness
to prove that Little Chubby had only caught ten
beavers in the last month, and that he had sold
them to the deponent THE Indian had no wit
ness, and the case was made out
The attorney remarked, addressing the court
MAY it please your honor, claim 4 judgement
for my client. There is TO defence, except the
averment of Chubby and this the court can't
regard"
.tGentlensen," said cur magistrate, II AMI
satisfied, and | amt going to allow It. Ingn to
be swindled," said he, addressing Nioueycr'es.-
Mr. Marshal, please hand me that book-I'll take
a swar in the case myself" and suiting the action
to the word, he kissed the book, addressing Money
cries, remarked, Mr. Marshal, constitute you
this court, and will take swar in this easel
"hlay it please the court said he 'there's cheat
ne around this board, and intend to expose il to
this court.
I'd rather take an Ingia's word than whiskey
sellers oath anytime. But this court can't decide
in favor Of the ingn without swar in his be-
half-and that swar (hissing the book) am now,
MIR. Marshal, going TO take"
He then proceeded to state that Little Chubby
had come to his house and he offered to buy from
him ten beaver skins. Chubby declined selling
.tesa as h haa promised them 10 Nir. Lac IL pay
deet $3.50 dollars duo him. He saw Chubby
90 into Mr.. Dale's and leave the skins, and when
he came out Chubby told him he had paid his
debt. When lie had concluded, he resumed his
seat.
Dsle's attorney protested against ths taking
swar in the case, but he was interrupted by tie
magistrate, who informed him that this was his
mode of dispensing Equity.
ATrogNEy-"NIay it please the court, will
take an appeal in this case"
MAGIsTRATE-''rEile court is satisfied that the
evidence is in favor of Little Chubby and no ap-
peal will be allowedo
ATTORNEY our court may 60 to the devil
if your honor please"
understandable. Marshal will take Mr.
Nh into custody till he pays it,, the marshal will
summon posse Of lneins. and tie him up, and
thereupon mfct on him twenty stripes according
10 lngin custom, and then inform him that it will
improve his health to get out OF the reach Of my
court in twenty four hours"
ArroRNEy-"May it please the court, will
give my note for the fine-if the court will agree
to it.
MAcIsrRArE-"'Ihe court won. be hard, pro-
vded the character Of his court is hereafter re-
spected."
This MIR. Editor is slightly colored sketch Of
the early history Of the admins ration of justice in
the Greek county in Alabama SATcnELL.