The Wyandot pioneer. (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1853-1868, 1862-11-07
SNisfGll lNntnNS.
RIDING ON A RAIL,
OR,
JUDGE LYNCH OUTWITTED.

Some years ago, Judge Lynch claim
ed broad jurisdiction, in and about the
Vicinity of T., Florida. lie took cog
nzance Of all matters, and punished all
offences, which were not otherwise pro-
vided for by law. No inlormality, or
lack of proof positive, screened the cul,
prit from the inhicton of his summary
mode of punishment. If an individual,
by any iudiscretion or improperly of
conduct, relfiered himself obnoxious,
Judge Lynch was sure to apply the cor
reclive. The public constituted the
Judges grand jury, and just so sure as
an individual excited the public voice a
gainst him, just so sure he was compell-
ed to undergo the sentence of the judge,
without the benefit of clergy.
l forget who was the first railroad
man in Florida, but | well recollect that
not a few passengers were conveyed out
of the corporate limits of I, on single
rail, that being the punishment in ordi-
nary cases, But | have not forgot the
first time that the judges sentence could
not be executed, and when the executive
officers met with resistance which they
could not overcome.
John Rodgers was given to drink, and
when under the influence OF the brain
stealer, was, in his own estimation, the
most unfortunate man living Natural
ly quiet, welldisposcd Iellow; when in
toxicated he became noisy, quarrelsome,
and disagrecable. On that day, he Lad
INDUCED to excess, and had got into nut
merous quarrels, in one of which he fired
horse pistol on Il small boy, who return
ed the compliment by peppering him with
a full charge Of shot from Il fowlng piece
The distance between the parties, how
ever, prevented any serious damage be-
ing done, and but for the great dispro-
portion in the size and age of the aniago-
nists, the duel between John Rodgers
and the race rider, would have passed of
without notice. 1t soon became the town
talk, however, and as John went stagger-
ing through the streets, swearing ven.
geance, and exhibiting his wounds-his
right ann and hard having received sew
cral of the shot-his conduct tended
much to increase the excitement against
him. Judge Lynch was not slow to
make a decision in the case, and before
dark, it was currently given out that
John Rodgers was to be ridden upon a
a rail that night.
'ow, of all other men perhaps, John
Rodgers had the greatest aversion to
"sittin on rail" He would rather
have died lhan suffer such an indignity,
and Immediately on receiving this intel
lgence, he resolved that he would moi
be caught "slcepin' berry sound" He
then took another large drink, and after
clearing his throat, exclaimed in whi-
ming tone of voice.
''Ride on a rall!--Why, III be shot il
I'd be rid on rail for five thousand dol
lars"
"Well, you'd better put oat then
said the gentleman Of the bar, as he sci
back the bottle, and popped the "pick,"
into the drawer. Judge Lynch has said
it."
"Well, now, I'm not gwain to be serv-
ed no such trick" said John. "Judge
Lynch be hanged" F."
John sauntered out, crying and NUT
tering to himself-"I'll blow 'em all to
-, if they come projectin' about this
child"
He then stepped into store, and pur-
chased three pounds OF powder, which he
tied up in silk pocket handkerchief
As it grew towards dark, John with
his handkerchief under his arm walked in
to confectionery, kept by good old
Frenchman, and purchased few cigars
lighted one OF them, and commenced
smoking. Already the officers OF the
high court of Judge Lynch were in pur,
suit of him; and as he saw them gather
round the door, he began to puff away at
his cigar, and mutter curses against "the
whole pack of EN-
"Yes,' said he; "you come tryin' that
ere. and you'll set walked up worse than
ever You saw afore-blast nation seize
! r,,1 ,,,t, II :.