Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1894-02-22
DISAPPOINTING THE JUDGE.
4 Governor Whose Interference Stopped
a Neat Hangi1g Match.

Neat Hanging Match.
Some seventy years ago, as gray haired
pioneers report, there was in Mississippi
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
srn Dogberry had the misfortune to take
the life Of fellow man and the function
ary had him brought up for trial. He ex-
amined the witnesses on both sides, made
up his mind that the homicide was un JUS
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 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 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
that fall. Governor Matthews, popular
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 wagon drawn by two oxen was
observed slowly approaching. AS it drew
near it was seen to be occupied by man,
a woman and several children. They were
all weeping bitterly, and the wife clung to
the husbands neck. The latter was pale
and haggard. He stopped his wagon as a
| bystander (he was the justice) called out:
$50 you've kept your word, Charley"
"Yes," said the condemned, with deep
sob. "Pm man Of my word. Pm ready
to die" Here the walls of the wife aud
the little ones became heartrending.
"Why, what's all this?" said Governor
Matthews.
"It's hanging" some one answered.
But is it all regularI" said the govern
or, who was good criminal lawyer.
"Oh, yes, it's all right. Jedge Smith
knows what he's about"
"Who is Judge Smith,"
Hes our jestis NV the peace"
"And did he try this mani" continued
| hannn,in,, oh ;ptn NJ
in the proceedings. But he could get nc
attention, for the procession was now form
ing to convey the prisoner to the place oi
execution. The governor followed along
half dazed by the amazing procedure and
half believing it was all a practical joke
But it was all in dead earnest. A gallows
had been erected, and, when the place wa:
reached, the prisoner made to stand up
and the justice, assisted by his neryou.
constable, tied his hands behind his back
bandaged his eyes and was beginning tC
adjust the moose, when Governor Matthew!
called in Il loud voice:
Hold on there, Mr.. Justice Will yor
listen to me just a moment?"
"Well, what is it, guv'ner?"
"What is the mans crime?"
"Kill'n another man."
"How was he tredf'
: 81 tried him and sentenced him to die
He's guilty, guv'ner. It's all right"
"But it's not all right" answered
Matthews. ITS all wrong. Don't vol
know that grand jury must indict a maj
before he can be tried for homicidc9 Dom
you know he can only be tried in tn
circuit court! Don't you know that yol
can only send him to Jail or bind him owe
to await the action of the grand jury
Don't you know that if you take this man.
life you will be indicted for murder your
self?"
, SIS that so, guv'ner?" said the justice
as soon as he could recover breath. Ant
he slowly and sheepishly turned the pris
oner loose, while the fears and agitation
of the citizens changed to uproariou
laughter. Constitution.