The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1886-12-02
WILD WEST LAW.
How Kansas Judge Rewarded Two
Jurors Who Didn't Agree with Him.

| How . Kansas Judge Rewarded Two
Jurors Who Didn't Agree with Him.
We sometimes growl about the way
| the mo1ern lawyer attacks and insults
a wines; on the stand. but there has
! really been great improvement in the
! last twenty years, especially in the
West. In 1855 the writer was a Juror
in the case of Adams vs.. Paige. tried in
{ Kansas. Adams was a Boston specu-
lator, who was trying TO GUST Paige
! from certain lands. The lands clearly
belonged TO Adams. and Paige was
, clearly squatter, bu. the latter re-
sisted and the former appealed to
, the law. The judge was 4 sGuatter,
and therefore q sympathizer. while
Paige was likewise cousin of his.
When Adams came to take the stand
Paige's lawyer, whose name was Britt,
began:
Now. Mr.. Adams, You say YOU
bought this land from party in BoS-
ton?'
"Yes. sir
And You paid him s4SO?'
"Yes. Sir"
"Now. sir. isn't it fact that while
this Davis. the bogus claimant to this
land. lay dying you robbed him of his
deed?'
"No. sir".'
"Be careful! We want no perjury in
this case. How often have you been
sent to State PRISON.
Never
Look out! All. see the guilty blush
OF his face! Notice l.is confusion?
Your Honor, that man is deliberately
lyingn
Il object to all this.' exclaimed
Adams lawyer as he jumped up.
Steve Bullock, you sot down.
shouted his Honor. I've known you
ever since YOU started out driving a
mule team, and you was allus Directing
in State prison this court wants to know
it. Let him answer the question"
"I never have been" replied Adams.
"Have You ever robbed a widow"
asked the lawyer.
Your Honor, what has al this to do
with the case on trial?' asked Adams
LAWYER
Heaps, your Honor" replied Britt,
IF we can show that this man is
thief, murderer and lani pirate it's our
business to do so. If a wolf in sleeps
clothing sneaks into our innocent COM
munity it is our duty to expose him"
Il should say it was" answered the
court. 1.-The witness must answer the
question or I'll lock him up for con-
tempt"
81 never did," replied Adams.
Then your looks belle you. Didn't
you set 4 store afire in St. LOUISE"
mo, sir.
Nor rob bank in st. Louise
"Your Honor, l must object" said
Bullock. ''This is case"
"Steve Bullock. sot down" ex-
claimed the court. You quit driving
mules aEear ago and went into law.
but you don't know everything yet
This court can give you half mile the
start and beat you in. Ii this man has
robbed bank we want to know it,
We want to know what sort of man
has come among us to skeer our VIM
min and children"
Il did not rob a bank" said Adams.
80, you didn't!'' sneered Britt.
"How about burning a barn in Hi
nois?"
Your Honor, did not come here to
be insulted," said Adams, as he turned
to the court.
Answer the question: commanded
the Judge. 1--WE got barn of my
own. or am going to have next spring,
and if we've taken barn-burner to
the bosom of this community l want
to know it."
For two long hours Britt continued
to ask such questions, and the judge
obliged the witness to answer. Then
the case for the defense was closed
without Il word in regard to its
legal aspects. Britt contended, in his
speech to the jury, that it was a pot
to rob big-hearted, gOod-natured cjti-
zen of his all, and Bullock was so DIS
gusted that he refused to examine
witness or make an argument.
Gents" said the court when he
charged us, Eve don't want no fooiing
in this case. That ere land belongs 20
Bill Paige, and YOU want to return a
verdict to that effect"
We went out, and ten of the twelve
were ready to agree with the court
Two of us hung ont and to reward Us
for producing disagreement his Hon
or sent us to jail for thirty-six hours
apiece. -HGriog Smith, In D3troU Free
Press.