The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-08-29
HELD COURT UNDER 4 raEs.
A Primitive Method Of Administering Sss-
tice In RursI Missouri.

| For IL. unique features and original legal
metbods George Millers trial II probably
| without an equal In the conrt history oil
| Missouri II seems that Miller who Is a
! vouno man OF good character, had been EN-
moved in Main street restaurant until
| illness compelled him 10 abandon his posi-
| ton. though he was almost penniless In
bis dilemma he found friend IN the per-
son Of Edward j. Froisey, who offered to
support him until his recovery u he would
take care Of Froisey's little farm, on the
south side OF the Blue river. near Troost
avenue
This proposition Miller gratefully &C
ceptcd and the next day was Installed in
the Froisey household, where also hved
Froissy's aged mother.
All went we'll with Miller until one Sat
urday morning, when, "a he stepped from
the back door, be observed an individual,
unknown TO him. just leaving the Len
house with fat pullet under each arm
He had been particularly cautioned by Mr.
Froisey 10 keep lookout for chicken
thieves. and he thought this an opportu-
nifty TO display his yalor and earn his pa
irons everlasting gratitude.
"Hold on, there. young feilerT he shout
ed. Where you goin with them chickensf'
The stranger looked tough as he replied,
"Say, is dat any Of your funeralf"
"If you don't drop them chickens, Ill
blow the root Of your head OFF, yelled
Miller, making dash for the kitchen,
where loaded revolver was lying.
But when he reappeared the stranger was
making rand tracks for the gate, and he
did not FIRE on him. Half an hour later he
was considerably astonisbed when con
stable hove In sight and arrested him on a
charge Of assault with intent TO kill. HAY
ing no choice in the matter, he went with
the constable
Now the thinly settled and purely agri-
cultural region lying south of the Blue
boasts the presence OF duly elected justice
of the peace. well TO do farmer, by name
ID. =. Antony, and as legal proceedings in
"Jedge" Antony court are by no means as
plentiful as the bullfrogs in his meadow
that official prepared TO make the most of
the case.
He had no courtroom handy, but the
spreading branches of a giant apple tree in
the orchard near by served the purpose ad-
mirably, and here the court was established,
with the soft side Of a log for bench and
seats enough Oh the grass forthe thousands
Of spectators who might or might not
choose TO attend.
Bring in the prisoner" thuBdered the
fudge. And straightway the constable ap-
peared, dragging his victim unwillingly to
a seat at the other end Of the log. Thecom-
plant WAS read In the cOnstable's most
doleful tone, and the judge stroked his
whiskers and meditated "AhaW quoth he;
"this, ] see, is serious case. We must
have "a jury" 1t was the prisoners prerog-
alive 10 ask for jury il lie wanted it, but
that made no difference. The constable
sailed forth and speedily returned with
six good men and true"-five farmers and
a workhouse guard. recruited from road
near by, where n gang Of county prisoners
were at work The six solemnly ranged
themselves in semicircle on the grass be-
fore the Judge, and the trial ~ began.
Miller briefly told his story, and then tue
stranger, whom he believed guilty Of steal
ing Froisey's chickens, appeared on the
scene and told his story. He claimed that
he owned the chickens, they having wan
lutb lhi', ohu ht VIM
ply recovering his property. That ended
the trial, and the jury thereupon filed into
the jury room-the cleared space beneath
al adjoining apple tree-where they were
speedily joined by the judge and constable,
and together they arranged the verdict
When they returned to the courtroom, Mil
Ter was informed that he had been convict
cd OF threatening to kill" and that he had
been fined sos and costs, amounting In all
to S3540 He could not pay, and 80 Judge
Antony tore "a leaf out Of anotebook loaned
him by one of the jurors aud made out his
commitment, ordering Marshal Stewart To
confine Miller in the county Jail until the
fine and costs were paid.
And then court was adjourned, the farm
ers returning TO their wheatfelds, the guard
to his prisoners, and Miller was taken away
by the constable, and within an hour the
doors Of the county Jail opened to receive
him.-Kansas City Journal.