The western sentinel. [volume] (Winston-Salem, N.C.) 1887-1926, 1888-11-15
GRIM KENTUCKY JUSTICE
MANY PLACES WHERE 1T is PRI-
MITIVELY ADMINISTERED.

'A a ~ AAOES WHERE Ii lS Fht.
MITIVELY ADMINISTERED.
Keeper of the Palce Gives a Post
Office Inspector Some Information
About Equity and Other Matters of
General Interest-Blue-Grass Wis
dom.
In some of the rugged districts OF
Allen county, KY, there live, scatter
en- far apart, number of genuine
squatters. They live in most prlmi-
tive ,Aanner, weave their own clothes,
pay no taxes and never vote at cleo
tions. They are comparatively harm
less-that is. the great Kentucky
product, the family fued, never draws
them into the whirl of deadly excite
ment They look with suspicion upon
all strangers. They do not believe
that people with whom they are not
acquainted have any right. to enter
their domain.
Several weeks ago United States
post office inspector rode up to the
cabin of a squatter to inquire the way
to a post Office known as Benson's
Jaw. An old fellow, whose most prom
inent feature was large hawkbill
nose, sat on log, which, placed near
the door, served as bench.
"Good morning"
The squatter scarcely looked up.
He was, with piece of leather cut
from horse collar, trying to patch al
old shoe.
s'I would be pleased if you would
give me little information, said the
inspector.
"Don't b'l'eve I've got any this
mornin'. Had a good deal yistidy,
but wife she drapped thepan an split
it ALL"
"You don't understand me. 1 want
information concernlng-'
"Yas," the squatter broke in, "drap-
ped the pan on the hath an split ev
cry drap Nv il"
The inspector threw ..one leg over
the horn of his saddle and settled
down in a position OF amused contem-
plation. The squatter covered the
hcle in the shoe with scrap of leath
er and histled in sort Of split flute
way.
"How long have you lived here p
"Long ernof ter war out my shoes. ,"
"What is your name ?"
esquire Brown"
care you a justice of the peace p
"Yep."
"When were you elected p
"Wa'n't 'lected.'
Appointed by the Governor, [
suppose
II don't
"Then how did you get the Office ?"
"Found it runnin' loose an took
up. Thought it was stray ca'f at
fust."
| "Do you mean that you really hold
an office without having been elected
or appointed ?"
"Yep."
"You surely don't try cases p
"Yas, I do
"It is wonder the people submit
to it."
"Kaint help themselves"
"Does any one ever take an appeal
from your court p
"Not now."
"Did at one time, eh p
| "Yep."
| "What did you do?"
"Whupped him."
| "What did he do after that p
:. "Axed me fur new trial"
"Then what did you do p
:Whupped him agin.'
"It is wonder that the people
| don't appeal to higher authority"
"Thar amt none higher in this herr
neighborhood."
aYou are at the head of the law
then ?''
"Yep."
i This is all very singular, | mus
say, and 1 should like very much #
see you hold COURT
"Thar amt much holdin' ter dc
The fellers come up with Their com
plants, an I lessen an tell 'em whu
to do"
"Suppose one man kills another
( what then?''
avail, if he didn't do it far, W
: whup him, but thar ant much kiln
: goin' on round here"
f Suppose he steals a hog ?"
"Then he ant got no show. w
hang him." =,
"Do you get pay ?'
0 "Say [putting aside his shoe an
ooking upl, do I look like star
6 nat'ral fool 2"
8 "No."
4 "Well, then, do you reckon er ma
2 kan erford ter spend the most Nv h
3 time in 'ministering the law withol
s pay Some weeks I make 90 cen
8 an then agin I don't make but
8 quarter"
6 .sWell, must say that never sa
8 such community before"
1 "Neenter see it now lessen you wa
9 ter. Nobody drug you in here
2 reckon 2
3 mo. that is fact: Do you kno
q of post office called sBenson's Jaw
Il "Have hearn Nv such er place :,
p 4How can I get there?"
4 "Any way you please | amt goi
cor dictate. You may walk an lei
ty' boss or ride him, jest which "
think best"
Or "I mean which is the road p
,8 "I amt seed none yet
Glow do you people get there?'
Don't go.
IL What, then, is the use of pt
ct office p
g. sThat's what I'd like ter know"
he DO you ever get any letters 7"
n lister, till ole Buck Boyle tuck I
post Office.