Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1891-05-28
Saint Tafg's Beacon.
An Alabama Judge.

New York Ersniag Sun, who lived
many years III country town IN
that State. entertained "a party of
friends last night with some stories
Of an old countEyman who held the
office Of Justice Of the Peace down
there for many years.
Jerry benson didn't know any
thing about law books-ncver read
one in his life he said, 'bHt ne
had big heart and level head.
His ncighbors all loved him, and
when he was elected Justice Of the
Peace in Mulberry Township, Ala
bama, they knew he would deal out
pure and unadulterated justice with
out any legal frills and formalities.
Jerry held the office eighteen years,
being reelected eight times with
out opposition.
Three different Governors threat
cncd 70 remove him, five grand iu-
RES investigated him, but every
time he came out with col0rs flying,
and Judge benson, as everybody
called him, became one of the best
known men in the State.
The Judges library consisted
Of a Bible, form book and an al
manac, but in time he picked up a
score or more Of legal phrases from
the lawyers who practiced in his
court. He had little patience with
lawyers. especially when they at
tempted to secure Il ruling IN their
client : favor on legal tcchnicalitles
When his ncighbors quarrelled
and threatened 10 20 TO law Judge
benson always advised them to set
tie the matter outside of court If
possible and save costs. II they
persisted and brought suit, he often
made them regret their faIlurc 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
thence 10y asking witness seeming
" unnecessary questions. and then
he would take hand. and either
ask he 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 4 fine of $40 and costs, grant
ed divorces, sentenced prisoners to
SIX and twelve months hard labor
on hrs own farm. and enforced the
sentence He also tried cases re-
sulting from family quarrels, suits
for debts Of ten cents, suits
that had no legal basis or status :
in fact, all was grist that came to
his mill
Gone day IA case was on trial and
the plaintiffs lawyer was asking the
witness unnecessary questions.
Tom Simpson, one of the Judges
neighbors, took the stand and the
lawyer began
What did | understand you to
say your name was -
" Tom Simpson y -
"'Mr. Simpson, where DO you
reside ?'''
"lIere Judge benson interrupted,
and turning to the lawyer. said
His name is Tom Simpson he
lives on Turkey Greek moved there
from Winston County fourteen years
ago he owes me four dollars and
six bits been OWN it nigh on to
year now he married old man
Seth Aliens gal Nancy.
Maybe you know Seth ; he's u
brother of Steve Allen that run for
Sheriff two years ago. Seth lives
at the old Bascom place bought it
from Dan Smith gave him 800
and spawned hoss for it. Now
go on with the case Mr.. LAWYER,
and Tom, mind you tell the truth.
| knowed your old daddy fore you
was horned, an an hOnester man
than old Bill Simpson never breath
cd the breath of life.
"Aft~ this complete biography
of the witness the lawyer preceded
directly to the facts in the case.
The first murder case Judge
benson ever tried was that of "a
negro who had killed another col
ored man. The murdered man had
had 4 bad reputation, and there
was some provOcation for the deed.
When the case was called the de-
PENDANT had two lawyers and score
of witnesses. while numerous friends