Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1886-01-15
A KENTUCKY COURT SCENE.
HOW A LOUISVILLE JUDGE PEE.
SIDED IN A LAWLESs B EGIoN.
Eringing i'm N N n Complying Wit
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A recent letter from Louisville to the
Chicago Herald, says The chief trouble
attending the conviction of the despera-
does whose acts of violence in some
sections of Kentucky have for years pro
duced a reign of terror, and a cause
which is not understood by those who
only read accounts of the crimes COM
mtted, 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 "local Influences" If
Judge belongs to one faction, or owes
his ection to particular party, his op-
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 oppo sing fac
tions. and where houses were barricaded,
the law al landoned, where women and
children were armed, and the extermina-
tioa of the entire opulation a 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 m stakea, for
he proceeded forthwith to the scene of
blo0dshed, quietly announced his pres
Ell e and made known his mission. 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
responded to their names save one. "We
must have that witness, Mr.. Sheriff, {"
said the court, firmly.
eff your honor pleaSes | can't get him, !"
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 dignited case,
calmly put on his hat and walked from
the court room alone, to the great aston
ishnent of the natives, whose regular
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 court?"
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, 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. y
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
be desired.
Court opened promptly at 10 o'clock
"Mr Sheriff, have you that witnessP
asked the court
"Yes, your honor" spoke the sheriff,
excitedly; "he'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,
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
law3" asked the Judge.
81 didn't know it was your court, sir
thought they wanted to take me tc
Louisville for moonshining. knew a,
how there were deputy marshals about
sir"
oMr. Clerk" said the judge, Care
there any United States marshals in this
section2"
The clerk said there were and thai
they had warrants for the civil witness
whereupon he directed the sheriff tC
bring every one of them into court, an
order soon complied with. Eigh
United States marshals faced the court
"Gentiemen, began the judge, "havC
you warrants for any of these witnesses
eyes, sir, for nearly all of them, ant
four for this chap" answered marshal
indicating the wounded man.
"Well, gentlemen, | am holding court
here now, and if you interfere with mt
in any manner whatever. I'll put you al
in jail for year-every one of you. LIE
this case begin"
The trial proceeded, and more convic
tions followed than had happened pre-
viously in the whole life of the county o
Breathitt, which is now one Of the bes
in kentucky and where capital is nov
finding the richest camel coal in th
world, England not excepted.
Judge jackson recently went t.
Letcher county at Governor Knott's re
quest.
"Will you need a hundred men9'
asked local friend of Justice who wei
knew the desperate affairs which ha6
marked every previous trial OF the ac
cused.
"No," thundered the Judge, "thi
court is equal to a hundred men itself.
This remark went the rounds liil
wiIdfre, and during the long tria'
which followed enabled the court t.
conduct its business without the slight
est jar.
AS has been maintained by the Times
in dealing with Kentucky feuds the onl,
thing necessary to make peaceable auC
good citizens out of the lawless men o
the mountains of Kentucky has been tn
need of men like Judge Jackson, who's