Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-08-19
HELD COURT UNDER A TREE.
How Justice IL Administered I'm the
Rural Districts of Missouri.

Dl1tf1cto OF Ml040Net.
From the Kansas City Jonrnal.
That Justice is freely dispensed to all
corners in the petty tribunals of Jackson
county known as the Justice courts no one
win deny. but in the particular case of
George Miller, who now views the outer
world from the other side OF the steel bars
OF the jackson county Jail. there seems to
havo been too much Justice, too speedily as
well as too unequally applied.
Arrested, tried convicted and landed IN
the county Jail all within the space of about
three hours, and for a crime Of which II is
yet doubtful II he was guilty; such is Mil.
ier's history. And. to make a bad matter
worse, the complications Of the law are
such that 1t is highly improbable that he
can regain his liberty, even should he es-
tabiish his innocence OF the charge placed
against him.
The case has its humorous as we'll as its
serious side, and for its unique features and
original legal methods Miller's trial Is prob
ably without an equal in the court history
OF Missouri. 1t seems that Miller, who is a
young man OF good character, had been en-
pioyed in Main street restaurant until ILL
ness compelled him to abandon his position
though he was almost penniless. In his d.
iemma he found a friend in the person OF
Edward. j. F'roisey. 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
Froiseys aged mother.
All went we'll with Miller until last Satur.
day morning, when, as ne stepped from the
back door, he observed an individual. un-
known to him; Just leaving the hen house
with a fat puIlet under each arm. He had
been particularly cautioned by Mr.. Froisey
to keep a lookout for chicken thieves, and
ne thought this an opportunity to display
his vaior and earn his patrons everlasting
gratitude.
Hold on there. young Teller" he shouted
where You goin with them chickens
The stranger looked tough as he replied
Say. Is dat any of your funeral?'
If you don't drop them chickens III blow
the roof of your head off" yelled Miller
making a dash for the Kitchen, where a
loaded revolver was lying.
But when he reappeared the stranger was
did not FIRE on him Half an hour later he
was considerably astonished when con
stable hove in sight and arrested him on
charge of assault with intent to kill. Hav-
ing no choice in the matter. he went with
Now the thinly settled and purely agri-
boasts the presence of a duly-elected justice
of the peace, a well-to-do farmer, by name
D: 2. Antony, and. as legal proceedings In
"Jedge' Antony's court are by no means as
plentiful as the bull frogs in his meadow,
that official prepared TO make the most OF
the case
He had no court room 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 estab-
bench and seats enough on the grass for
the thousands of spectators who might OF
might not choose to attend.
Bring IN the prisoner" Numbered the
Judge. And straightway the constable ap-
peared. dragging his victim unwillinSiy to a
piaint was vas read in the constable's mos,
wn,skers and meditated. Aha" auoth he
hsvs Il s was the case
rogative to ask for a jury if he wanted 1t
but that made no difference. The constable
good men and true" 1--WE farmers and q
workhouse guard. recruited from the road
near by, where gang of county prisoner.
were at work. The six solemnly ranged
themselves in a semi-circie on the grass
before the judge and the trial e? began.
Miller briefly told his story, and then the
stranger. whom he believed guilty of steal
ing Froi.ey's chickens. appeared on tht
he owned the chickens they icy, having la wan ;!I,
ply recovering his property That ended tht
trial. and the jury thereupon filed INTO the
jury space fbeg wert
speedily Joined by the Judge and constable
and together they arranged the verdict
Ter was Informed that he had been con
yicted of threatening to kill and that he
had been fine6 s25 and costs. amounting II
all to &33 40 He could not pay, and 81
Judge Antony tore a leaf from a note boob
loaned him by one of the jurors and made
out his commitment. ordesing Marsha
Stewart to confine Miller in the county Jai
untU TIE fine and costs were paid
And ;nen court was adjourned. the farm
ers returning to their wheat fields, the
guard to his prisoners. and Miller was taker
9Uav nv the constable, and within an houl
the doors of the county jail opened to re
caiya him