The Ketchum keystone. [volume] (Ketchum, Idaho) 1885-1899, 1891-05-23
AN ALABAMA JUDGE.

old countryman who held the Office
Of Justice of the Peace down there
for many years.
"Jerry benson didn't know any
thing about law books-never read
one in his life," he said, "but he had
a big heart and level head. His
neighbors all loved him, and when
he was elected Justice of the Peace
in Mulberry Township, Alabama,
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 op-
position.
"Threedifferent Governors threat
ened to remove him, five grand
juries investigated him, but every
time he came out with colors flying,
and Judge benson, as everybody
called him, Became one of the best
known men in the State.
The Judges library consisted of
Bible, form book and an alma
nae, 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 q ruling in their
clients favor on technicalities.
when his neighbors quarreled
and threatened to 60 to law, Judge
benson always advised them to set
tie the matter outside of court if
possible, and save costs. If they
persisted and brought suit, he often
made them regre: their failure to
take his advice by his bill of costs.
When people went to law in his
court somebody had to pay the costs.
Lawyers often exhausted his pa
thence by asking witness seeming
ly 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 of
with q fine of $40 and costs, granted
divorces, sentenced prisoners to six
and twelve months hard labor on
his own farm, and enforced the SEN
tence. He also tried cases result
ing from family quarrels, suits for
debts of 10 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 witness unnecessary questions
Tom Simpson. one of the Judges
neighbors took the stand and the
lawyer began:
"What did I understand you te
say your name was?"
"'Tom Simpson.
"'Mr. Simpson, where do yor
residen =
"Here Judge benson interrupted
and turning to the lawyer, said
His name is Tom Simpson; he
lives on Turkey creek; moved there
from Winston county fourteen year:
ago; he owes me four dollars anc
six bits; been owin' it nigh on te
a year now; he married old Seth
Aliens gal Nancy.
"Maybe you know Seth; he's
brother of Steve Allen that run fo
Sheriff two years ago. Seth lives
at the old Bascom place; bought j
from Dan Smith; gave him $4O(
an a spawned hoss for it. Now g
on with the case, Mr.. Lawyer, ane
Tom, mind you tell the truth.
knowed your old daddy fore yo'
was borned, an a honester man thar
old Bill Simpson never breathet
the breath Of life.'
"After this complete biograph,
of the witness the lawyer proceeded
directly to the facts in the case.
| "The first murder case Judge Den
son ever tried was that of a negr'
who had killed another coloret
man. The murdered man had |
bad reputation, and there was som
proyocation for the deed. When tn
case was called the defendant ha'
two lawyers and a score of wit
nesses, while numerous friends Q
the dead man were present to Sc
that Justice was done. Judge Den
son did not propose to waste valu
able time on negroes, so he calie
on the prisoner to stand up.
"Now, there amt no use denylr
that you killed that negro he sale
"for they say the proofs all agi
YOU; but he needed KILN about q
bad as any one in this settlement
and guess everybody's glad to b
} rid of him. But courts can't wor
, for nothin'. prisoner, so III nm
YOU $40 and COSTS
"Ths fine was paid, and Will
this opposition OF the case excite
some comment nothing was eve
done about it, the the people of II
neighborhood seeming to agree Wit
J Judge benson that it was . goo
way to get rid of the negro.
I ..Tl> Y,J~, bo1 moro rQnract Fl