Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1891-07-16
AN ALABAMA JUDGE.
Justice of the Peace Denson's
Many Queer Decisions.
For Eighteen Years He Defied All Laws
Trying Murder Cases and Divorce
Suits and Resigned at Last
to the SORROW of All.

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 bcolls-ncvcr read one in his
life" he said, but he had 4 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 unauthorized 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 iIr the
state.
THE judges library consisted Of a
Bible, a 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
save costs. If they persisted and
brought suit, he often made them re-
greet 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
tiencc by asking a witness seemingly
unnecessary questions, and then he
would take a hand, and either ask the
questions himself or answer for the
witness.
mo 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
''One day a case was on trial and the
plaintiffs lawyer was asking the wit
ness unne cesSary questions. Tom
Simpson, one of the judges neighbors,
took the stand and the lawyer began:
What did | understand you to say
your name vase
Tom Simpson
Mr. Simpson, where do you reside?'
Here Judge benson interrupted, and
turning to the lawyer, said: His name
il Tom Simpson; he lives on Turkey
creek; moved there from Winston eoun-
~ 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 a
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. / llnowed your
old daddy fore you was horned, an
honester man than old Bill Simpson
never breathed the breath of life
After this complete biography of
the witness the lawyer proceeded d.
rectly to the facts of the case.
The first murder case Judge Den
son ever tried was that of negro who
had killed another colored man. The
murdered man had a bad reputation,
and there was some provocation for
the deed. When the case was called
the defendant had two lawyers and
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 denvin'
that you killed that negro, he said, for
they say the proofs all agin you; but
he needed KILN about as bad as any
one in this settlement and 1 guess
everybody's glad to be rid of him. But
courts can't work for nothin', prisoner,
so I'll fine you ten dollars and costs
''The fine was paid, and while this
disposition of the case excited some
comment nothing was ever done about
it, the people of the neighborhood
seeming to agree with Judge benson
that it was a good way to get rid of the
negro.
THE judge had more respect for the
Bible than he had for the law, and