The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1884-07-10

A rather peculiar case OF murder m
the first degree was tried by Justice
Of the Peace whose jurisdiction lies along
known planter named Milton became
invol ed in quarrel with q half
Spaniard. half-negro man, known as
Bad Jim. Words of uncompllmen tary
definition were exchanged, and Bad
Jim. drawing knife. rushed at Milton,
who, expecting an attack, jumped back
ward, drew his pistol, and fired, just
having time enough to level the weapon
between himself and the assailant. The
ball struck Bad Jim in the forehead,
just above the eye, and 80 close was he
TN It the flash of the powder burned his
face. The planter surrendered HIM
self, telling the negro officer that he
had killed IN N, and related In detail
OH account of the affair. The day for
trial was appointed, and when Milton
appeared before the negro Justice OF
the Peace he learned that he was
charged with murder in the first de-
gree.
This case is beyond your iurisdic-
tion," he said to the magistrate. You
can only bind me over to appear before
the Grand jury"
"De cou't amt axed fur yer 'pinion
in de case, prisoner at de bar. De
'dictment says murder in de fust de-
gree, and OATS dc way I'se gwine ter
try yer
Just then Bad Jim entered the court
room. The ball had flat ened against
hto cEnl v,ocoa1 n,1ar fba ably,
the top of the head, and come out at
the back of the neck.
Come right in" said the Judge.
Use glad ter see yer, fur yer's q
mighty 'portant witness in dis heah
case. Go on wild de testimony, genner-
men,"
"Your Honor" remarked Milton,
arising, "the appearance of this man
shows conclusively that did not COM
mt murder of any kind, and, after all,
you can only arraign me for assault
with intent TO kill"
Il tells yer dat neber axes de pris-
oner at de bar whut his 'pinion o de
law is. De 'ditcment says murder in de
fust degree, an OATS de way we'se boun'
ter try yer. Go on wild de testimony,
gennermen.
Judge, never heard of such case, {"
said lawyer "A man to testify that
he has been murdered in the first de-
gree, is something which finds no par
allel in history"
"Whut's dat? Parallel. Mr. Clerk.
enter up er fine o. ten dollars agin de
gennermaH fur contempt O. dis cou't
Well rule out Bad Jim's statement. Go
on wild de testimony, gennermen.
After close examination of the wit
nesses and elaborate arguments by the
lawyers, the jury rendered verdict of
guilty.
prisoner at de bar" said the magis-
trate in q voice of deep solemnity,
"yerse'f hab been tried by jury o. yer
countryman an hab been foun' guilty
o murder in de fust degree. Use sorry
fur yer. When man starts out in dis
worr wild good prospects, it am de
might blow ter be cotch up by de law
an hung. Use sorry fur yer. Let
us pray. Lawd, yer serbants hab
met yer ter-day on or mighty solmn
'casion, an myself, whut am de iedge,
an doan' lose sight O. dat fack, Lawd,
am mighty sorry fur dis man. Amen.
Prisoner at de bar, dis cou't sentences
yer ter be hung de fust Friday in naixt
week. De cou't is sorry fur yer, but
dar kahn nothin' be dun ter sabe yer"
Judge" said the prisoner, Il am
sorry, much more so than you can pos
sibly be. have always had great re-
spect for you and hoped to live to see
you on the supreme bench of the State.
L was talking to the Governor some
time ago, and we agreed that you should
be our Chief Justice, and that we would
work for that purpose. After L am
dead, / am afraid that the Governor
will have to battle alone"
"HoP on, prisoner at de bar, an
femme AK de Lawd 'portant question.
Lawd, mus L turn dis man er loose ?
De Lawd, say vas. Prisoner at de bar,
dis cou't changes its 'cision. Yerse'f is
d free white man. Mr.. Constable, ar
res Bad Jim on er charge er interferin
wild dis cou't. Good-ebenin', genner.
men. De cou'ts gwine ter git suthin
ter eat. "-ArkonsdW Trdreier.
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