Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1892-05-27
DISAPPOINTING THE JUDGE.
A Governor Whose Interference Stopped
Neat Hanging Match.

q Neat Hanging Match.
Some seventy years ago, as gray haired
| pioneers report, there was in Mississippi q
| justice of the peace who needed no clerk to
| write him down an ass. He attended to
| that clerical duty himself His district
| was interior and remote from the centers
OF intelligence. 1t was far away in the
| wild woods. No lawyer dwelt in those
parts, and the prevalent idea of justice
and the modes OF administering it were
primitive and somewhat arbitrary. There
were no railroads. telegraphs or rapid
mails to spread intelligence as in these
palmy days.
A man in the neighborhood of this mod
ern Dogberry had the misfortune to take
the life of fellow man and the function
airy had him brought up for trial. He ex-
amined the witnesses on both sides, made
up his mind that the homicide was unjus-
tifiable and condemned the prisoner to be
hanged by the neck until dead, dead, dead
The sentence allowed the man but few
more days of life, and the condemned
begged for a little more time. He told the
court tearfully that his crop was about
ready to be harvested and he hoped that
for the sake of his wife and children his
honor would spare his life until that duty
could be performed. 1t was the last serv-
ice he should ever render to those nearest
and dearest to him. Friends interceded
and the judge relented. He granted the
doomed man a respite of thirty days, and
discharged him on his own recognizance,
after exacting a solemn pledge that he
would appear promptly on the day ap-
pointed and be hanged.
A political campaign was in progress
l,o+ 81
stumper, was in the field, and happened to
have an appointment at the time and place
fixed for the execution. While he was
chattering with a group of rustic ad-
herents a wagon drawn by two oxen was
observed slowly approaching As it drew
near it was seen to be occupied by man,
woman and several children. They were
all weeping bitterly, and the wife chung to
the husbands neck. The latter was pale
and haggard. He stopped his wagon as a
bystander Che was the justice) called out:
$50 you've kept your word, Charley?"
eyes," said the condemned, with deep
Sob 'Pm man of my word. Pm ready
to die" Here the walls of the wife and
the little ones became heartrending.
"Why, what's all this?" said Governor
Matthews.
''It's hanging" some one answered
"But is it all regular?" said the govern
OF, who was good criminal lawyer.
ooh. yes, it's all right. ledge Smith
knows what he's about
"Who is Judge Smith?'
'He's our jestis Nv the peace"
"And did he try this MANI" continued
Matthews, becoming very much interested
in the proceedings. But he could get no
attention, for the procession was now form
ing to convey the prisoner to the place of
execution. The governor followed along,
half dazed by the amazing procedure and
half believing it was all practical joke.
But it was all in dead earnest A gallows
had been erected, and, when the place was
reached, the prisoner made to stand up,
and the justice, assisted by his nervous
constable, tied his hands behind his back,
bandaged his eyes and was beginning to
adjust the moose, when Governor Matthews
called in loud voice:
Hold on there, Mr.. Justice! VIII you
listen to me just moment?"
"Well, what is it, guv'ner?"
"What is the mans crime?"
"Kill'n another man."
"How was he tried?"
81 tried him and sentenced him to die.
He's guilty, gunner. It's all right''
''But it's not all right answered
Matthews. "It's all wrong. Don't you
know that a grand jury must indict man
before he can be tried for homicide? Don't
you know he can only be tried in the
circuit court? Don't you know that you
can only send him to Jail or bind him over
to await the action of the grand jury?
Don't you know that if you take this mans
life you will be indicted for murder your
self?"
SIS that so, guv'ner?" said the justice,
as soon as he could recover breath. And
he slowly and sheepishly turned the pris
oner loose, while the fears and agitation
of the citizens changed to uproarious
!aughter.-Atlanta Constitution.