Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1891-07-04
AN ALABAMA JUDGE.
Justice Of the Peace Denson'e
Many Queer Decisions.
For Eighteen Years He Defied All Law
Trying Murder Cases and Divorce
Suits and Resigned at Last
to the Sorrow of All.

An Alabama merchant, says the New
York Evening Sun, who lived many
years in a country town in that state,
entertained party of friends last night
with some stories of an old countryman
W no held the Office of justice of the
peace down there for many years.
Jerry benson didn't know anything
about law books-never read one in his
life," he said, ''but he had big heart
and level head. His neighbors all loved
him, and when he was elected justice
of the peace in Mulberry township,
Ala, they knew he would deal out
pure and unadulterated Justice without
any legal frills or formalities. Jerry
held the Office eighteen years, being
reelected eight times without opposi-
ton.
Three different governors threat
ened to remove him, five grand juries
investigated him, but every time he
came out with colors flying, and Judge
Denison. as every body called him, be-
came one of the best-known men in the
state.
1.-THE judges library consisted of a
Bible, form book and an almanac
but in time he picked up a score or
more of legal phrases from the lawyers
who practiced in his court. He had lit
tie patience with lawyers, especially
when they attempted to secure a rul-
ing in their clients favor on legal
technicalities.
when his neighbors quarreled and
threatened to go to law, Judge benson
always advised them to settle the mat
ter outside of court if possible, and
Tf fhav norciSto1 on6
brought suit, he often made them re-
his bill for costs. When people went to
the costs.
Lawyers often exhausted his pa
thence by asking witness seemingly
unnecessary questions, and then he
would take n hand, and either ask the
questions himself or answer for the
witness.
''No case was too large or too small
for Judge benson. He tried men for
murder and let them off with a fine OF
ten dollars and costs, granted divorces,
sentenced prisoners to six and twelve
months hard labor on his own farm,
and enforced the sentence. He also
tried cases resulting from family quar-.
rels, suits for debts of ten cents, suits
that had no legal basis or status; il
fact, all was grist that came to his
mill. ......
zone day q case was on trial and the
plaintiffs lawyer was asking the wit
ness unnecessary questions. Tom
Simpson, one of the judges neighbours
took the stand and the lawyer began:
What did understand you to say
your name was?'
"'Tom Simpson
"'Mr. Simpson, where do you reside?
Here Judge benson interrupted, anG
turning to the lawyer, said: His name
is Tom Simpson; he lives on Turkey
creek; moved there from Winston coun
ty fourteen years ago; he owes me foul
| dollars and six bits; been OWN it nigt
on to a year now; he married old mar
Seth Aliens gal Nancy.
Maybe you know Seth; he's q
brother Of Steve Allen that run for
| sheriff two years ago. Seth lives at the
| old Bascom place; bought it from Dan
| Smith; give him four hundred dollars
| an spawned boss for it. Now go on
| with the case, Mr.. Lawyer, and Tom,
mind you tell the truth. znowed your
| old daddy fore you was borncd, an a
uOnCSLeT IlliIl Llbn Olu Dill SlElpSO
| never breathcd the breath of life
| After this complete biography Oh
| the witness the lawyer proceeded di-
rectly to the facts of the case.
The first murder case Judge Den
son ever tried was that of a negro who
| had killed another colored man. The
murdered man had a bad reputation,
and there was some provocation fol-
L
the defendant had two lawyers and a
| score of witnesses, while numerous
| friends Of the dead man were present
| to see that justice was done. Judge
benson did not propose to waste valu
able time on negroes, SO he called on
the prisoner to stand up.
Now. there amt no use denyin'