The Arkansaw traveler., 1885-01-17
4 FINE GRAND JURY.
4 Bit of Truth Relative to Criminal Practice in the Early Dsys of
 the State.

4 Bit of Truth Relative to Criminal Practice in the Early Days Of the State.
 A history of the criminal practice of Arkansaw would net only be volume of bloody tragedy but would contribute largely to humorous literature. Years ago, when Col. w. P. Grace was prose- cutting attorney of a southern circuit. he was determined, in view oi the inexcusa. ble leniency which prevailed, to effect a reform by enforcing on the minds of grand jurors the necessity of punishing criminals. On one occasion when court met at Arkansaw Post, the colonel vas particularly desirous of making good record. The grand Jury, described as an "onery lookin' Sc. O fsllers," occupied a negro cabin, near the court house. "Ncw, gentlemen" said Colonel Grace, "ex. pediency demands that you should or ganise and get to work jus, as soon as possible" A man named Jaquins was elected foreman. "Now," said the colonel, "who will act as clerkp Won', your addressing the mos. intelligent looking member.
 |" Kaint read nor write." replied the man.
 "Well, won't you ?" addressing another.
 "Would if want fur one thing"
 "What's that i''
 "I ken read, but kain't write wuth a continental dam. Wush could, but kain't."
 q am certain you will," addressing an old fellow.
 ~No, b'leve not o-day. kaint spell nuthin nohow."
 "Oh, go on an sarve, Uncle Caleb, said the man who could no, write worth a continental. "Go on an szrve, l say. You don't haf to be able to spell. All you've got to do is to read an write . little"
 "Well, gentlemen" remarked the col. onel, Ito expedite matters. will act as clerk until you can get some one else" He wrote down their names and called the roll, requesting each man when his name was called, to state whether or no, he knew of any violations of the law.
 They answered "no,' until Grace's patience became sore:
 "Why, gentlemen, said he, "you know very we'll that several men have been killed in this county since the last term of court. One man was killed down here at saw-mili. Do you know any thing abou. tha.?"
 "Wail," drawled a long, dyspeptic looking fellow, q did see a man luther day what, lowed that a felier had been laid out down thar, but wu1 ssrtsr busy at the time an didn't 'vessigass, but I reckon he's dead, fur afterwards seed 'em diggin'a hole out in the orchard whAr his folks does all thar plaatin."
 "Is that all you know about it2"
 "Wall," with another long drawi, "'bout all 1 cad think uv right now. Mout think of more though, if you'd gim- nc sine. Lemms see. Wall; 1 recknn, in reason they must've killed him, fur seed wagin with long box in 1t drive up to the house, an, yea. afterwards, l seed lem drive to the orchard. Reckon the fciler must've been killed"
 "l don't doabt that," ," replied the colo. nel. @Whaa we want to get at is the manner and circumstances of the killing. Do you know by whom and hew he vas killed F'
 @Wail, short time sfore 1 ssed the box in the wagia. the man Blythe, whut 1 have every reason to believe wus in the box, had . 'spute with . fslIes named Miller"
 sDid Miller kili him P
 "Wali, Miller he ssid thst the first time he seed him he lowed to shoos him."
 Miller killed him, tksu 2"
 "WsIl 1 doat know, but Miller is . powerful tsuthfui ieilsr. Never heesd nobody 'spsts his word. A mighty apt hand with fusss, too, Miller is. Moutss rot Killed him. fur it aint fur mo so say. Biythe didn't ows me nuthin'.~
 "h l. for yoa to fad oat though, lor you ass here to sse the law enforced" :"
 ~Yas, thss's vsua ths boys was jss tsaiin' nc, aa' l reckon is's e. WhaS is| Miller nov. boysr
 !" He's Ieit the country," soms one ss- pied.