Fayette County herald. [volume] (Washington [Washington Court House], Fayette County, O. [Ohio]) 1860-1???, 1879-04-03
Carrying Pistols
From the NasbvilIe American.

From the Nashville American
Georgia has stringent law. The pen
atty is forfeiture of pistol, fine of fifty
dollars, and at the discretion of the court,
imprisonment for thirty days. A short
Judge Lester was holding court in one of
the mountain counties, in the trial of a
cause, he asked the attorneys to suspend
few moments, and told the Sheriff to
lock the courthouse door and let no man
pass out without permission from him.
Then said the Judge in his firm, decided
way: tsGentlemen, 1 saw pistol on a
man in this room few moments ago, and
I cannot reconcile it to my sense of duty
as peace officer to letsuch violation of
the law pass unnoticed. It may be that
it is my duty to go before the grand jury
and indict him, but if that man will step
up to this stand and lay his pistol and a
fine of one dollar down here, will let
him off this time, otherwise I will go be-
fore the grand jury and testify against
him.
The Judge paused, and an attorney who
was sitting down just before the stand
got up, slipped his hand in his hip pock-
ct, drew out neat ivory-handled Smith
C Wesson six shooter, and laid it and a
dollar down before the Judge.
''This is all right,'' remarked the
Judge, "but you are not the man saw
with the pistol.''
At this another attorney, sitting imme-
diately in front of the Judge, got up and,
drawing out small Colts revolver, laid
it and dollar bill upon the stand.
'"This is right again. said the Judge
EEbut you are not the man speak off,
Thereupon, large man, just outside
the bar, walked around, ran his hand in
his bosom, and drawing out huge army
pistol, laid it and dollar on the stand.
I E'declare,' - exclaimed the Judge, xii
this don't beat all; you have done right
my friend, but you are not the man tina
1 saw with the pistol.''
This process went on until nineteer
pistols and nineteen dollars were lying OF
the Judges stand. Then there was
pause, and it appeared as if the GROVE
was pretty well disarmed; at least if ther
were any more pistols in the house thei
owners did not seem disposed to Civ
them up.
HGentlemen," resumed the Judge
"here are nineteen persons who hav
acted like men in this business, but tn
man that saw with the pistol has nc
come up yet, and now," continued he
pulling out his watch and looking towar
the far side of the court house, 81 vii
give him one minute to accept my propc
; sition, and if he does not do it in that tint
I will point him out to the Sheriff and or
: der him to take him into custody
; Immediately two men from the bac
: part of the house. began to move towar
the Judges stand. Once they stopped an
: looked at each other, and then comm
t slowly forward, laid down their pisto
: and their dollars. AS they turned
leave, the Judge said: "This man wit
j the black whiskers is the one that 1 sa
4 with the pistol
e Then Judge Lester gave short lectul
g upon the eowardly, foolish and wicke
e habit of carrying concealed weapons, al
assured his audience that in the futu
n the law would be strictly enforced. II
e Court proceeded with its regular bus
n ness, and it is needless to add that in tn
county the habit of carrying pistols W
II broken up.