The Andrew County Republican. [volume] (Savannah, Mo.) 1871-1876, 1876-05-25
An Original Court.

When the inhabitants of the country
Immediately around Baton Rouge, La,
found themselves oppressed by the
Spaniards without immediate hope of
relief from the Government of the
United States, they declared themselves
Independent of Spain, and organized a
Territory which they called Florida.
Justice in this community was to be
administered by three Judges, who
were elected by the people. Fulwar
Skipwith was the Governor of the new
State.
At the hour agreed upon for the hold
ing of the first Court, Skipwith drove
into Baton Rouge from his residence in
the country in n splendid coach and
four, with outriders and lackeys to
match, and on reaching the front of
the hall of justice found it sur
rounded by a multitude of his enthusi-
astic and aroused countrymen, who re-
ceived him with loud huzzas. lie de-
scended majestical!y from his carriage
and strobe slowly and ostcntatiously
towards the open deor of the Court
House, bowling as he moved along, al
ternately to the right and left, with Us
much of mingled grace and majesty rs
Louis Grand himself could have
brought into requisition. When he
got within the door he saw in the back
part of this most %uncourtly editire
three plain, straw-bottomed chairs,
which had been placed on a platform
of singularly rude construction, raised
about two feet above the level of the
floor. In the central one of those he
bestowed his person, and awaited si-
lently the coming of his official con
freres. The first Of these that appear
ed was Mr.. Thomas. Being Il singular
lymodest and retiring person, he wait
ed at the door for a minute, not know
ing precisely where he was to sit. Up
on observing this, Mr.. Skipwith leaned
forward and beckoned him to advance,
which he did, and presently took the
chair o the right. After an exchange
of the usual salutations, the latter OBJ
served, in a bland manner, that he pre-
sumed little could be done by the Court
for the present beyond getting organ
lied and appointing a Chief Justice. To
this Mr.. Thomas ~deferentially assented,
adding, "Of course, MI. Skipworth,
you, who have had so much and so va
ried experience, will have to act as our
Chief Justice" "As to that" said Mr..
Skipwith, "neither seeking nor declin-
ing such Il signal honor, 1 shall be con
tent to conform to the wishes of my re-
spectcd associates" A noise was pres
entity heard outside of the door. The
third judicial magistrate had arrived.
lie had walked more than a mile from
his w house to the place of con-
course.
The new conner was dressed out in a
full suit of naval uniform, rather the
worse for wear His huge head was
surmounted with a cap and feathers, q
good deal soiled, but of a very menac-
ing aspect. A rusty sword hung at his
side. The weather being quite warm,
the perspiration was flowing freely
down his plump cheeks, which he was
diligently hopping with a crimson ban
danna handkerchief. His hand held a
heavy cane, terminating in an iron
spike, with which he raped emphat-
ically upon the ~resounding plank floor
us he advanced and sat down in the va
cant chair on the platform. AS soon rs
he had cleverly composed himself there
in, Skipwith made the same suggestion
to which Mr.. Thomas had already re-
spondcd so civllly. Upon this, up rises
this parsonage, whose name l have for
gotten, and vociferated in a stentorian
voice, "Oh! if that is the question to
be decided, that's easily settled. I'm
Chief Justice of this Court" To this
Skipwith mildly answered that if he
claimed the position referred to, he
should himself be far from holding con-
troversy with him on that point. Then
the self-constituted Chief Justice, see
ing the Sheriff in Court, asked him
what prisoners he had in Jail and what
were their offenses. To this the Sheriff
answered that there were several mn
charged with minor oilenses and one
man accused of murder, but
against whom no indictment
had been yet found. "Bring
out the fellow charged with murder; l
wish to try my hand upon him imme-
diutely. | intend to show all such ruff
fans that no man is to be hereafter
killed in this parish except with the
consent of this Court, first had and OBJ
tanned" In n few minutes the Sheriff
reappeared, driving before him a pale,
wretchcd-looking man, whom long con-
fnement and other sufferings had re-
duced almost to q skeleton. Upon be-
holding this CHASTITY apparition, up rose
the Chief Justice again, and, staring at
the prisoner ferociously, he propounded
the astonishing interrogatory: "What
have you to say why sentence of death
should not be pronounced against youP"
The poor creature, frightened almost
to death, and trembling from head to
foot, feebly answered: 81 have en-
ployed this lawyer to defend me,''
pointing to a well dressed young attor-
ney. Staring angrily at the mild attor-
ney, the Chief Justice broke forth again /:
"None of your quirks Or bubbles OF
the law!" Then, turning to the prison
er, and stretching forth his long and mus
cular hand, he said: "If youa are guilty,
which I have good reason to believe,
you'll never slip through these fingers"
1t was with great difficulty that the
course of this summary justice was
stayed till the cession of the valley to
the United States rendered the Court a
nullity. From Henry s. Foote'S "Bench
-.-I D.