Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-11-28

pea1eu III the COufl-nOuSe WITH out III
tie exception. The first case. one o.
murder, was called. All the witnesses
responded to their names save one
"We must have that witness, Mr.
Sheriff." said the Court, firmly.
"If Jour Honor pleases, can't gel
him." said the county sheriff.
That's no excuse, sir: have hin
here without fail in four hours. Lei
the court stand adjourned until
o'clock" And as Judge jackson fin.
ished speaking he arose from the bench
with dignified ease, calmly put on his
hat. and walked from tie courtroom
alone, to the great establishment of the
natives, whose regular judge would
have remained until perfectly satisfied
that no enemy was near. At 2 O'Clock
court again convened. The bawl Of the
sheriff, "Oh yes, oh yes, court is now
OPEN" had scarce died out before
Judge jackson asked sternly: "Mr.
Sheriff, have you brought that witness
in couTt:"
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 barTlcaded and full OF
armed mountaineers. 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
to. morrow morning if you have to
bring him on a 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 after
noon and next morning there was a
universal desire to see the "city ledge
clese," and the fellow who got to shake
hands with him had all the free drinks
he desired.
Court opened promptly at l0o'clock.
mir. Sheriff. have you that wit
ness?" asked the court.
"Yes, your Honor" spoke the
sheriff excitedly; "he's coming"
A curious sight presented itself now.
Half a dozen stalwart men appeared
carrying another, who was the missing
witness. One arm hung limp at his
side. leg refused to do its duty, blood
trickled from all over his head, and an
immense bandsge concealed one eye.
Island up, sir" spoke the Court,
and, with the aid of his captors, the
fellow assumed as fair an upright posi-
ton as his wounds would permit.
"What do you mean by evading the
law" asked the judge.
II didn't know it was your court,
sir. ] thought they wanted to take
me to Louisville for moonshinlng. |
knew as how there were deputy mar
shalS about, SIR"
MIR. Clerk said the Judge. "are
there any United States marshals in
this section?"
The clerk said there were and that
they had warrants for the civil wit
nesses, whereupon he directed the
sheriff to bring every one Of them into
court, an order soon complied with.
Eight United States marshals faced the
Court.
"Gentlemen." began the Judge,
" have you any warrants for any Of
these witnesses
Yes, sir. for nearly all of them,
and four for this chap" answered a
marshal. indicating the wounded man.
Well, gentlemen, | am holding
court here now, and if you interfere
with me in any manner whatever I'll
put you all in the jail for year-every
one Of you. Let this case begin"
The trial proceeded, and more con-
yictiOns 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 camel
coal in the world, England not excepted.
Judge Jackson recently went to
Letcher county at Governor Knots re-
quest.
"Will you need a hundred men 2"
asked local friend Of justice who well
knew the desperate affairs which had
marked every previous trial of the ac-
cused.
NO" Numbered the Judge, "this
court is equal to a hundred men it.
SELF"
This remark went the rounds like
wildfire, and during the long trials
which followed enabled the court to
conduct its business without the slight
est jar.
AS has been maintained by the
Times, in dealing with Kentucky feuds
the only thing necessary to make peacea-
bic and good citizens out Of the law
less men of the mountains Of Kentucky
has been the need of men like Judge
Jackson, whose nerve and firmness find
respect as quickly with desperadoes as
with peaceable citizens. Governor
Knott expresses himself as much pleased
with the manner in which Judge Jack
son has conducted court in the noun
tains. - would rather send him to
try these lawless people than a regi-
ment of soldiers" observed the Gov
ernor in q conversation recently,