Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1885-12-16
X KENTUCKY JUSTICE.
A Louisville Judge Who is Competent to
Do Business-Judges and District Attor-
neys Who Belong to Factions.

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Louisville Letter in New York Times.l
The chief trouble attending the con
viction of the desperadoes whose acts
of violence in some sections of Ken
lucky have for years produced q
reign of terror, and q cause which Is
not understood by those who only
read accounts of the crimes commit
ted, has been the failure on the part
of the prosecuting attorneys and Grim
nal judges to do their duty. This
failure is to be attributed to what
may best be called "local Influences
Ii Judge belongs to one faction, or
owes his election to a particular
party, his opponents at once declare
their inability to receive fair treat
ment at his hands, and will fight rath-
er than be tried. In one of the coun-
ties where scores had been killed who
belonged to opposing factions, and
where houses were barricaded, the
law abandoned, where women and
children were armed, and the extermi-
nation of the entire population mat
ter of early possibility, the governor
requested Judge William l.. jackson of
the Louisville circuit, to hold court.
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would comply, but in this they were
mistaken, for he proceeded forthwith
to the scene of bloodshed, quietly an
nounced his presence, and made known
his mission. These facts excited the
greatest curiosity through the county,
J and when the day of trial came on the
whole populace appeared in the court
house with but little exception. The
first case, one of murder, was called.
All the witnesses responded to their
names save one. eve must have that
witness, Mr.. Sheriff." said the court
firmly.
"If your honor pleases I can't get
him." said the county sheriff.
Chats no excuse, sir; have him
| here without fail in four hours. Let
the court stand adjourned until 2
O'clock" And as Judge Jackson fin
ished speaking he arose from the
bench with dignifed ease, calmly put
on his hat, and walked from the court
room alone, to the great astonish-
Judge would have remained until per-
fectly satisfied that no enemy was
near. At 2 O'Clock court again con-
vened. The bawl of the sheriff, ooh,
yes, oh, yes, court is now open," had
scarce died out before Judge jackson
asked sternly: "Mr. Sheriff, have you
brought that witness in court"
! The sheriff. answering in the mega
tive, gave as his reason for failure to
obey the court that he found the
house of the witness barricaded and
full of armed mountalneers, who
swore they would kill any man who
attempted to enter.
"Mr. Sheriff." said the court very
sharply, "such an excuse is not to be
thought of and will not be entertained
| want that witness here at 10 O'Clock
tomorrow morning if you have to
bring him on litter. Mark you, sir,
a failure to comply on your part will
compel this court to fine and imprison
you to the full extent of the law. Do
your duty, sir"
To say that the natives were aston
ished does not convey the slightest
idea of their true feelings. All that
afternoon and next morning there
was a universal desire to see the Getty
ledge close" and the fellow who got to
shake hands with him had all the free
drinks he desired.
Court opened promptly at 1C
o'clock.
'Mr. Sheriff, have you that wit.
ness ?" asked the court.
eyes, your Honor" spoke the sheriff
excitedly; "he's coming"
A curious sight presented itself now
Half dozen stalwart men appeared
carrying another, who was the missing
witness. One arm hung limp at his
side, a leg refused to do it's duty
blood trickled from all over his head
and an immense bandage concealed
oneeye.
"Stand up, SIR" spoke the court
and, with the aid of his captors the
fellow assumed stair an upright posi-
ton as his wounds would permit.
"What do you mean by evading the
law? ?" asked the judge.
81 didn't know it was your court
sir. I thought they wanted to take
me to Louisville for moonshining.
knew as how there were deputy
marshals about, sir"
"Mr. Clerk" said the Judge, care
there any United States marshals n
this section ?"
The clerk said there were and that
they had warrants for the civil witness
whereupon he directed the sheriff to
bring every one of them into court, All
order soon complied with. Eight
United States marshals faced the
court.
Gentlemen" began he Judge, s'have
you warrants for any OF these wit
nesses %
eyes, sir, for nearly all of them. and
four for this chap" answered q
marshal, indicating the wounded man
"Well, gentlemen, / am holding court
here now, and if you interfere wirh me
in any manner whatever I'll put you
all in Jail for a yea--every one of you
Let this case begin"
The trial proceeded, and more con.
victions followed than had happened
previously in the whole life OF the
county OF Breathitt, which is now one
of the best in Kentucky and where
capital is now finding the richest can