The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1888-01-24
EARLY FRONTIER JUSTICE.
Taking a Prisoners Bond for His Appear
ance to Ee Hanged.

ance to Be Hanged.
Fort WORTH, Tex. January, 10--There has
always been a good deal of lawieSsness on Red
river in Texas and the Indian territory, rs it
Afforded ready means OF escape 10 the oppo-
site side from that on which the crime was
committed, and has been favorite resort for
that class of men who are by nature
reckless and desperate. The ChickasaW
country, just north of Montague county,
has had its full share OF this class OF people
and the little towns on the river in Montague
county nave been the scene Of many desperate
and bloody deeds. Soon after the establish
ment Of the town Of Burlington, one OF its
citizens was appointed justice Of the peace.
Il 5 appointment was made moro on account
OF his personal bravery than his familiarity
with law, as the following account will show:
One OF the cowboys of the ncighborno0d had
occasion TO cross the river into the territory for
the purpose Of securing some stock that had
strayed over there from the ranch on the Texas
his search much beyond what he
had expected without finding the
stock, when all at once he came upon party
with the strayed cattle in his possession. He
demanded the cattle, and received in reply q
shot from the thief, who was member Of q
gang that were raiding that country The
cowboy replied in the same language, and Ills
man dropped from his horse as if killed. lie
did not waste time in getting the cattle, but
at once returned 10 burlington, knowing if the
OtlitE IHSnlDtfS OF Ittc gang lOuDu nun on inat
side OF the river they would make short work
OF him, being alone as he was.
On reaching burlington ne related his eXpe-
rience, and the justice CT the peace at once as
sumed the responsibilities OF his Office had
the constable take the cowboy in charge, and
summon a jury to try him for killing the man
in the indian territory.
The trial was a very simple affair." as the
justice announced thattle cowboy had by his
own confession said that he had killed the
nd hat a.
to do was to find him guilty, which the Jury
did promptly, and the justice prepared to pass
the sentence of death upon him.
BY this time the cowboy saw that matters
were getting serious, and he told the court that
he believed no man could be tried for murder
without the grand jury having first nvestigat-
ed the matter.
YES" said the justice, chat is So T reckon,
as the last term Of the 'diGtrick court I was
there and was a member of the grand Jury and
they did have cases like that before them but
when got my appointment they told me was
to try all the 'fell8rs' that broke the law and
l am gwine to do it or bust, and reckon you
VIII jest have TO take the medicine we give YOU.
But as we ant got no law books here, and you
might be right, L IL Jest set the day for the
hanging after the meeting Of the 'diStricl1'
court, and eff they don't interfere YOU kin lest
hand in your checks then"
This proposition was agreed to by the cow
boy, and the next question was his safe keep
ing until court time, which was some few
weeks off.
The justice said it would not do to send him
to jail, as Montague county at that time had
no jail, and would have to board him in the
jail OF another county, and that Was moro eX-
penso than the man supposed TO be murdered
was worth
The cowboy said that he had heard tlatmen
gave bond for their appearance, and it was
agreed to take the cowboys bond for his APP
pearance to be hanged.
mo t1,er IF In