The Hazel Green herald. [volume] (Hazel Green, Wolfe County, Ky.) 1885-19??, 1891-07-10
AN ALABAMA JUDGE.
Justice Of the Peace Denson's
Many Queer Decisions.
For Eighteen Years He Deficd All Laws
Trying Murder Cases and Divorce
Suits aud Resigned at Last
to the Sorrow of Ali.

NhNNi NNiihNN ~ I'i ~ VI - iooN hAe ~
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 every body called him, be-
came one of the bcst-known men in the
state
THE judges library consisted of
Bible, 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. lie had lit
tie patience with lawyers especially
when they attempted to secure n 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
thence by asking 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-
ItlS, Sulbo lOI NCDJS VI bCh SChbS, SuAlo
that had no legal basis or status in
fact, all was grist that came to his
mill.
lone day case was on trial and the
plaintiffs lawyer was asking the wit
ness 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
"'Mr. Simpson, where do you reside?'
Here Judge benson interrupted, and
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 four
dollars and six bits; been OWN it nigh
on to "a 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 a spawned boss for it. Now go on
with the case, Mr. Lawyer, and Tom,
mind you tell the truth. / knowed your
old daddy fore you was borned, an a
honester man than old Bill Simpson
never breathed the breath of life
After this complete biography of
the witness the lawyer proceeded di-
rectly to the facts of the case.
THE first murder case Judge Dem
son ever tried was that of a negro who
had killed another colored man. The
murdered man had bad reputation,
and there was some provocation for
the deed When the case was called
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'
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 | guess
everybodyS 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 good way to get rid of the
negro.
The Judge had more respect for the
bible than he had for the law, and
when negroes appeared as witnesses in
MS court he made them kiss the
almanac. Il don't allow no reflections
cast On tha RibIa 4, thia co,rt ha ax-