Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1891-07-09
AN ALABAMA JUDGE.
Justice Of the Peace Denson's
Many Queer Decisions.
For Eighteen Years He Deied All Laws
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 country town in that state,
entertained party of friends last night
with some stories of an old countryman
who 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 everybody called him, be-
came one of the best-known men in the
state.
1.-The judges library consisted of a
Bible, a form book and an almanac,
but in time he picked up 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 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
save costs. If they persisted and
brought suit, he often made them re-
gret their failure to take his advice by
his bill for costs. When people went to
law in his court somebody had to pay
the costs.
Lawyers often exhausted his pa
tience by asking witness seemingly
unnecessary questions, and then he
would take 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 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; in
fact all was grist that came to his
mill.
zone day case was on trial and the
plaintiffs lawyer was asking the wit
ness unne cessary questions. Ton
Simpson, one of the judges neighbors
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, ant
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 nigl
on to a year now; he married old maj
Seth Aliens gal Nancy.
"'Maybe you know Seth; he's {
brother of Steve Allen that run fol
sheriff two years ago. Seth lives at the
old Bascom place; bought it from Dar
Smith; give him four hundred dollagr
an a spawned hoss for it. Now go OF
with the case, Mr.. Lawyer, and Tom
mind you tell the truth. knowed you
old daddy fore you was borned, an {
honester man than old Bill Simpson
never breathed the breath of life
After this complete biography o
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 negro VIII,
had killed another colored man. Th'
murdered man had a bad reputation
and there was some provocation TO
the deed. When the case was callet
the defendant had two lawyers and
score of witnesses, while numerou
friends of the dead man were presen
to see that justice was done. Judg
benson did not propose to waste valu
able time on negroes, so he called ol
the prisoner to stand up.
Now. there amt no use denyin