The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1893-10-17
HELD COURT UNDER A TREE.
A Primitive Method Of Administering jus
tice In Rural Missouri.

n n
tice In Rural Missouri.
For its unique features and original legal
methods, George Miller's trial is probably
without an equal in the court history of
Missouri. 1t seems that Miller, who is
young man of good character, had been en-
ployed In Main street restaurant until
illness compelled him to abandon his posi-
ton, though he was almost penniless. In
his dilemma he found a friend in the per-
son of Edward j. Froisey, who offered to
support him until his recovery If he would
take care OF Froisey's little farm, on the
south side OF the Blue river, near Troost
avenue
This proposition Miller gratefully ac-
cepted and the next day was installed in
the Froisey household, where also lived
Froisey's aged mother.
All went well with Miller until one Sat
urday morning, when, es he stepped from
the back door, he observed an Individual,
unknown to him, Just leaving the hen
house with fat pullet under each arm.
He had been particularly cautioned by Mr.,
Froisey to keep lookout for chicken
thieves, and he thought this an opportu-
nifty to display his valor and earn his pa
irons everlasting gratitude.
Hold on, there, young fellerl' he shout
ed where you goin with them chickensp"
The stranger looked tough as he replied,
Say, is dat any of your funerals"
IF you don't drop them chickens, I'll
blow the roof of your head offl' yelled
Miller, making dash for the kitchen,
where loaded revolver was lying.
But when he reappeared the stranger was
making rapid tracks for the gate, and he
did not fire ON him. Half an hour later he
a1 w
stable hove in sight and arrested him on a
charge Of assault with intent to kill. Hav-
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
d. p. Antony, and as legal proceedings in
"Jedge" Antony's 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 giant apple tree in
the orchard near by served the purpose ad-
mirably, and here the court was established,
with the soft side of q log for bench and
seats enough on the grass for the thousands
of spectators who might or might not
choose to attend.
Bring in the prisoner!' Numbered the
judge. And straightway the constable APP
peared, dragging his victim unwillingly to
a seat at the other end of the log The COM
plant was read in the constable's most
doleful tone, and the judge stroked his
whiskers and meditated. "Ahar quoth he;
this, | see, is a serious case. We must
have jury" Itwas the prisoners prerog-
ati 70 al 70 .it,, ha ,t l,,,t
that made no difference. The constable
sailed forth and speedily returned with
six good men and true''-fve farmers and
workhouse guard, recruited from a road
near by, where gang of county pri.lnCrs
were at work. The six solemnly'iSnged
themselves in a semicircle on the grass he
fore the judge, and the trial (g) began.
Miller briefly told his story, and then the
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
dered into Froisey's yard, and he was sim
ply recovering his property. That ended
the trial, and the jury thereupon filed into
the jury roCm-the cleared space beneath
an adjoining apple tree-where they were
speedily joined by the judge and constable,
and together they arranged the verdict
w men they returned TO the courtroom, NIL
Ter was informed that he had been convict
ell of threatening to kip and that he had
been fined S25 and costs, amounting in al
to $3.50 He could not pay, and so Judge
Antony tore leaf out of notebook loaned
him by one Of the jurors and made out hi.
commitment, ordering Marshal Stewart t.
conflne Miller in the county Jail until tn,
fine and costs were paid.
And then court was adjourned, the farm
ers returning to their wheatfields, the guart
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.