The Lake County star. [volume] (Chase, Mich.) 1873-current, 1875-05-20
Communication.

UUillluulCduUL.
f"We endeavor to accommodate all
those who desire To express their opin-
ions for public good, but decline to hold
ourselves responsible for such opinions
as may not receive the sanction Of all
our readers''-except George Washing
ton, Tecumseh, Andrew Jackson, Hem
~ Clay, Foster, Towner, cor any other
man. "-EDIToR.]
NIRvANA, May 18th, 1875.
EDITOR STARING had a suit here,
yesterday, that knocks the Beecher
case higher than kite. A boy about
fourteen years old, and young man
got into a little squabble about tea
pot of water, during which the boy got
cuffed slightly. Smarting under his
defeat, the youngster hied him to JUS
tice and got warrant against the
young man for assault and battery.
This warrant was model of legal pre-
cision, in spelling, composition, form,
&c. BY its general run, it was hard for
the constable to tell who was the COM
plainant, and who was the accused.
The matter of form and other defects,
were, however, waived by the defend
ant, who avowed himself ready to salts
fy the vengeance of the law.
But before the papers for arrest were
put into the hands of the officers, the
complainant, had got over being mad;
had repented. He found he was not
hurt as bad as he had supposed. He
reflected that the mark on his face,
which he had told he got during the
fracas, was only little engine grease,
he had received week before. He
was anxious to drop the complaint, and
so told the Justice. Others, also, went
and advised the Court to issue no pa
pers I'm 80 frivolous matter. But,
enforced; the suit must go on; half a
days labor, getting up a warrant, should
not be lost. Justice should be done in
Cherry Valley, no matter where the
County Seat went.
Eight o'clock p. m. had come, the
defendant was ready for trial. His at
torney demanded that the complainant
be required to give bail for the costs.
Not much; that would not be law.
The defense then demanded a jury,
which, after mature elaboration, was
granted. The six men selected were
sworn to "tcll the truth, the whole
truth, and nothing but the TRUTH" and
were then ready for business.
The Court called on the complainant
to be sworn and state his case, in the
matter where the People of the State of
Michigan were plaintiffs and
defendant; but 10! he was non est. He
had sloped! There could be no trial,
unless lie could be found. The Court
was now in fix! Where would he
get his costs, now? The crowd was,
also, disappointed, as they expected to
see some fun. A general search was
instituted, and he was found hid away
i'm shingle-bin, in Lacy's mill; dragged
out by the heels, and brought into the
presence of the law. He was ordered
to give his testimony; and said he was
not hurt, and would rather the matter
would be dropped. But the Justice, in
voice of thunder, ordered him to be
sworn and tell his story. There was no
lodging it. He was sworn, and tcsti-
| fled that in the forenoon, betwixt HIM
self, defendant and teapot, little
muss had occurred. AS to who was to
blame-himself, defendant, or the tea
| pot, he did not know. AT all events,
nobody was much hurt. In relation to
the black spot on his face, he was not
sure but it was OH before. The defend
ants counsel now moved the c,se be
dismissed. The Court remarked that
| others seemed to be trying to "run this
| thing" but they could not influence
him. This decision was received by a
rousing cheer from the spectators, which
encouraged his honor. He now or
dered four witnesses sworn i'm SUCCESS
ion but none Of them could give salts
factory evidence of guilt on the part of
the accused. During this testimony
there was considerable noise i'm the
room, cheering, laughing, &C., which
disturbed his honor, who said Ii they
were not careful, some of them would
get '.jerked up" for contempt of court.
To the crowd the whole performance
was equal to "nigger show"
At length, the Justice said he was
through with his witnesses; and the
defence did not think it worth while to
offer any. So, after a plea from the
attorney for the defence, the jury were
ordered to bring in their verdict, which
they did rs follows: ''That the defend
ant is not guilty, and that the Justice
pay the costsv' This was received by
the crowd with a storm Of applause,
during which the spectators, jury, wit
ncsses and defendant filed out of the
room, leaving the Justice looking the
very picture of disgust.
1t is the opinion of the citizens of this
place, that there is one peace officer of
Lake county, who will be little more
careful about encouraging suits hereaf-
ter. SPECTATOR.