The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1891-07-31
AN ALABAMA JUDGE.
Justice of tho Peace Denson's
Many Queer Decisions.
Eor Eighteen Years lie Dcfied All Laws
Trying Murder Cases and Divorce
Suits and Resigned at Last
10 the Sorrow of All.

An Alabama merchant says the New
York Evening sun, who lived many
years in q country town in that state,
entertained party OF friends last night
with some stories OF an old countrvlnan
who held the Office Of justice OF the
peace down there for many years
Jerry benson didn't know anything
about law boOlzs-nevcr read one in his
life" he said, but he had q big heart
and level head. His ncighbors all loved
him, and when he was elected justice
OF the peace in Mulberry township.
Ala, they knew he would deal out
pure and unadulteratcd justice without
any legal frills or formalitics. Jerry
held the office eighteen years, being
reelected eight times without opposi-
ton.
Three different governors threat
ened TO remove bin. five grand iuries
invcstigatcd him, but every tine he
came out with colors fling, ard Judge
Dcnison, as everybody called hiIa, he
came one Of the best-known men in the
state.
THE judges library consisted Of n
Biblc. n form oook ana 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 quarrclcd 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-
grct their failure to take his advice by
his bill for costs When pcopl- went 10
law in his court somebody had to pay
the costs
Lawyers often exhausted his pa
tience by asking a witncss seemingly
unnecessary questions. and then lac
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. lie tried men for
murder and let them OF 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 guar
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 ease was on trial and the
plaintiffs lawyer was asking the wit
ness unnecessary questions. Ton.
Simpson, one of the judges neighbors,
took the stand and the lawyer began:
What did l understand you TO say
your name was?'
Tom Simpson
- Mr.. Simpson. where do you rcside?'
Here Judge benson interrupted, and
turning to the lawyer. said: His name
is Tom Simpson; he lives on Turkey
creek: moved there from Winsto. coun-
~ fourteen year ago; hc owes me lour
dollars and SIX hits; been OWN it nigh
on to year now; he married old man
Seth Aliens gal Nancy.
Maybe you know Seth; he's
brother of Steve Allen that run for
sheriff two years ago. seth lives at the
old Bascozn place; bought it from Dan
Smith; give him four hundred dollars
an a spawned hosS for it Now 90 on
with the ease. Mr.. Lawyer, and Tom,
mind you tell the truth. knoved your
old daddy fore You was borncd, an n
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 Den
son ever tried was that of a negro who
had killed another colored man. The
murdered man had n bad reputation,
and there was some provOcaUon for
the deed. When the case was called
the defendant had two lawyers and n
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, 50 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 l 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 ease excited some