Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1886-02-24
A KENTUCKY COURT SCENE
How a Louisville Judge Presided In
a Lawless Region

The chief trouble attending the con-
yiction of the desperadoeS whose acts or
violence in some sections of Kentucky
have for years produced reign or ter
Tor, a cause which is not understood by
those who only read accounts or the
crimes committed, has been the failure
on the part Of the prosecuting attorneys
ahd criminal judges to do their duty.
THIS failure is to be attributed to what
may best be called ''local influences"
If a judge belongs to one faction, or
owes his election to a particular parry,
his opponents at once declare their ind-
bility to receive fair treatment at his
hands and will fight rather than be
tried In one of the counties where
scores had been killed who belonged to
opposing factions, and where houses
were barricaded, the abandoned, where
woman and children were armed and
the determination Of the entire popula-
tion a matter of very early possibility,
the governor requested Judge Wn. l..
Jackson of the Louisville Circuit. to
hold court. Nobody thought the Louis
vile Judge would comply, but in this
they were mistaken, for he proceeded
forthwith to the scene of bloodshed,
quietly announced his presence and
made known his mission. These facts
excited the greatest curiosity through
out the county, and when the day OF
trial came on the whole populace ap-
peared in the court house with but little
exception. The first case, one OF muir
der, was called. All the witnesses re-
sponded TO their names save one. I'VE
must have that witness, Mr.. Sheriff." "
said the court, firmly.
''If your honor pleaSeS, can't get
him." said the county sheriff.
That's no excuse, sir; have him here
without fail in fonr hours. Let the
court stand adjourned until 2 o'clock"
And rs Judge Jackson finished speak
ing he arose from the bench with dig
nitied ease, calmly put on his hat and
walked from the court room alone, to
the great astonishment Of the natives,
whose regular judge would have re-
mained 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 ont before Judge
Jackson asked sternly: ''Nr. Sheriff,
have you brought that witness in
courtlr
The sheriff, answering in the mega
tive. gave as his reasons for failure to
obey the court that he found the house
or the witness barrIcaded 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, aud will not be entertained.
[ want the witness here at 10 O'Clock
tomorrow morning, If you have to
bring him here ON litter. Mark you,
sir, failure to comply on your part
will compel this court to fine and i'm
prison you to the full extent OF the law.
Do your duty Sir"
To say that natives were astOnished
does not convey the slightest idea OF
their true feelings. All that afternoon
and next morning there was universal
desire to see the ''city Jedge close, +"
and the fellow who got TO shake hands
with him had all the free drinks he de-
sired,
Court opened promptly at 10 O'Clock.
"Mr. Sheriff, have You that wltness:"
asked the court.
"Yes, your honor" spoke the sheriff,
excitedly; ''he's coming"
A curious sight presented itself now.
nalf 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 bandage concealed one eye.
"Stand up, SIR" spoke the court, and,
with the aid of his captors, the fellow
assumed as fair an upright position as
his wounds would permit.
what do you mean by eyadlng the
law?" asked the judge.
Il didn't know it was your court,
sir. l Thought they wanted to take me
to Louisville for moonshining. l knew
as how there were deputy marshals
about sir"
''Mr. Clerk said the judge, ''are
, there any United States marshals in
this sectionl"
The clerk said there were and thit
they had warrants for the civil witness,
whereupon he directed the sheriff to
bring every one Of them into court, an
order soon complied with. Eight U. ,.
marshals faced the court.
Gentlemen" began the judge,
shave you warrants for any OF these
witnesses?"
"Yes, sir, for nearly all Of them, and
four for this chap" answered mar
shal, indicating the wounded man.
"Well, gentlemen, l ana holding
court here now, and if you interfere
with me in any manner whatever, l'll
put you all IN Jail for a year-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 coun'
/ ty of Breathitt, which is now one OF
/ the best in Kentucky and where capt.
tai is now finding the richest camel
coal in the world, England not ex-
| cepted.
Judge Jackson recently went to
Letcher county at Governor knott's re
quest
"Will you need hundred men."
/ asked local friend of justice who well
knew the desperate affairs which had
marked every previous trial of the accu-
sed.
No" thundered the Judge, ''this
court is equal to hundred men itself:
This remark went the rounds like
wildfire, and during the long trials
which followed enabled the court t
conduct its business without the slight.
est jar.
In dealing with Kentucky feuds the
only thing necessary to make peaceabl'
and good citizens out of the lawles;
men of the mountains has been thenee(
of men like Judge Jackson, whose nerve
and firmness find respect as quickl!
with desperadoes as with peaceable citi
zens. Governor Knott expressed him
self as much pleased with the manne
in which Judge Jackson has conducted
court In the mountains. He said: .