The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1886-03-26

early as 1898 whisky distillery had
been put up by a man named Bryant
near the mouth of the river, and the
Indians flocked to it in crowds for sup
plies of fire-water. Carter's house was
near by, the Indians met him, and he
soon acquired an influence over them
greater than that of their own chieftains.
His word became law among them, and
so it soon was with the white settlers.
Where there is no regular administra-
ton of justice it is natural that the
strongest should rule; but what was
known as Carriers law" had control
in Cleveland long after "a regularly or
ganized court existed in the county.
But the court sat at Warren, fifty miles
away, and was not ut first attended with
such a degree of state as was calculated
to impress very much awe upon the
community. The first session is said to
have been held in the open air, between
two corn-cribs, Judge Kingsbury occupy
ing rude bench beneath Il tree. the
jurors sitting around on the grass, and
the prisoners looking on from between
the Stats of the corn-cribs. On other oc-
casions court was held in barn, as be-
ing the most commodious building in
the town.
Carriers law was administered with
quite rs little state, but it had the adj
vantage of being more accessible and of
much speedicr execution. One or two
instances will serve us illustrations. In
1907 farm hand who had been work
ing for u neighbor suddenly decamped,
and his disappearance was reported to
Carter rs n strange thing, for he had
stolen nothing, and had left behind
some unpaid wages. mo man can leave
this town in that manner" said Carter,
at once mounting his horse and going
after the runaway. Overtaking him, he
babe the man return TO the settlement;
but he declined, protesting that he owed
no one anything, and had right to 90
and come as he pleased. Upon this,
Carter poised his rifle, and gave the
runaway his choice between returning
peaceably or being shot and left in the
road. Il prey to the turkey-buzzards
The man knew that Carter had way
of suitng his actions to his words, and
he sensbly returned, received his wages
and continued Il good citizen.
But Carriers law produced its most
salutary effects among the Indians. On
one occasion large band of Ouawas
and Chippcwas had gathered on the
west shore of the river, while Il small
gang of Senecas were encamped on the
east bank, and in their mingling to-
gcther Seneca had killed an Ottawa.
The deed was done Mt night-fall, and
early on the following morning the
combined Ottawas and Chippewas were
seen arraycd in war-paint, and about TO
descend in vengeance upon the little
band OF Scnecas. This being reported
to Carter, he went among them. and by
the promise of Il gallon OF whisky. sue
cceded in compromising for the ollense
of the Seneca. Unfortunately the dis
tillery was not in operation ut the time
and the whisky could not be delivered
before the day following. But the In
dams were inpatient, and not disposed
to wait the slow movements of the dis
tiller. Again they put on their war
mination to both the whites and the Scnc-
cas-. For time it seemed rs if nothing
could appcase their wrath, and that
Cleveland was about to be sacrificed for
the lack of Il single gallon OF corn
whisky. But, ut the risk of his life.
Carter went again among the infatuated
savages, and again they took his word
this time, however, insisting upon
two gallons of iirc-water. Carter took
good care that the di>tillor was not
again tardy, and so the town, which
had been kept awake By fear for u
couple of nights, went again to peaceful
Ed2HiHd K!rkc, IN turner's
Magazine for March.