The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1893-09-12
HELD COURT UNDER A TREE.
Primitive Method of Administering Jus
tice In Rural Missouri.

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 a
young mao 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 II he would
take care Of Froisey's little farm, on the
touth side of the Blue river, near Troost
avenue.
This proposition Miller gratefully ac-
eepted 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, as 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 feller" he shout.
ed. Where you goin with them chickensY"
The stranger looked tough as he replied,
"Say, is dat any of your funeralf"
IF you don't drop them chickens, I'll
blow the roof of your head off" 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
was considerably astonished when con-
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 a duly elected justice
Of the peace, a well to do farmer, by name
ID. p Antony, and as legal proceedings In
"Jedge" Antony court are by no means ms
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 a log for bench and
seats enough on the grass forthe thousands
of spectators who might or might not
choose to attend.
Bring in the prisonerl' Numbered the
Judge. 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. "Ahai" quoth he;
"this, see, is serious case. We must
have jury" 1t was the prisoners prerog-
alive to ask for jury if he wanted it, but
nj fha
sailed forth and speedily returned with
six good men and true"-five farmers and
workhouse guard, recruited from a road
near by, where gang Of county prisoners
were at work. The six solemnly ranged
themselves in a semcircle on the grass be-
fore the judge, and the trial (9) 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, aud he was sim
ply recovering his property. That ended
the trial, and the jury thereupon filed into
the jury room-the cleared space beneath
an 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
iSi "fS hiAOl Lhel thhI nc Ihu Dttll COnNlCI-
ell of threatening to kill" and that he hud
been fined s25 and costs, amounting in all
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 his
commitment, ordering Marshal Stewart TO
condne Miller in the county Jail until the
fine and costs were paid.
And then court was adjourned, the farm
ers returning to their wheatfields, the guard
to his prisoners, and Miller was taken away
by the constable, and within an hour the
doors of tho county Jail opened to receive
him.-Kansas City Journal.