The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1886-02-17
A KENTUCKY COURT SCENE.
HOW LOUISVILLE JUDGE Pre-
SIDED IN A LAwLEss REGION.
wringing i'm n Non Complying wit
ness ON n Tittcr-Whcro Nerve
Carried che nay.

A recent letter from lOulsNllAt W luo
Chicago Herald, says: The chief trouble
attending tho conviction Of the despera-
does whose acts Of violence in some
sections of Kentucky have. for years pro
duced a reign Of terror, and cause
which is not understood by those who
only read accounts of the crimes com
mitted, has been the failure on the part
Of the prosecuting attorneys and crimi-
nal Judges to do their duty. This
failure is to be attributed to what may
best be called '1ocal Influences" II a
Judge belongs to one faction, or owes
his election to particular party, his OPP
ponents at once declare their inability 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 fac
tions. and where houses we're barricaded,
the law abandoned, where women and
children were armed, and the extermina-
tioa Of the entire population matter of
early possibility, the governor requested
Judge William L. Jackson. of the Louis
vile Circuit, to hold court Nobody
thought the Louisville Judge would com
ply, but in this they were mistaken, for
he proceeded forthwith to the scene OF
bloodshed, quietly announced his pres
ence and made known hisdmission. These
facts excited the greatest curiosity
throughout the county, 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
1l 49, -
must have that witness, Mr.. Sheriff, I"
said the court, firmly.
''If your honor pleases can't get him, I"
said the county sheriff.
''That's no excuse, sir; have him here
without fail in four hours. Let the court
stand adjourned until o'clock" And
as Judge jackson finished speaking he
arose from the bench with dignifed ease,
calmly put on his hat aud walked from
the court room alone, to the great aston
ishment of the natives, whose regular
judge would have remained until per-
fectly satisfied that no enemy was near.
At 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 courtp
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 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 the witness here at 10 o'clock to-
morrow morning, if you have to bring
him on litter. Mark you, sir, 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 uni
versal desire to see the ''city Jedge
close, and the fellow who got to shake
hands with him had all the free drinks
he desired.
Court opened promptly at 10 o'clock
'Alr Sheriff, have you that witness2"
asked the court.
''Yes, your honor" spoke the sheriff,
excitedly; she'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 its duty, blood trick
led from all over his head, and an i'm
mense 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 evading the
law2" asked the Judge.
~ didn't know it was your court, sir
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 in this
sectionl"
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, an
order soon complied with Eight
United States marshals faced the court.
"Gentlemen. began the judge, ''have
you warrants for any of these witnessesl
''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 Jail for a year-every one of you. Let
this case begin.
The trial proceeded, and more convic.
tions followed than had happened pre-
viously 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 ia
Letcher county at Governor Knott's re-
quest.
"Will you need a hundred menY
asked local friend of Justice who well
knew the desperate affairs which had