The weekly intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1891-1901, 1895-12-14
THE STATUTES OF GEORGE ~.
A Collection Of Rare aud Interesting
Documents.

From the Kansas City Journal.
In the vault of the Wilson bank at
Lexington, Mo, is copy of that
ancient and valuable book, the CON-
plete statutes Of George Nv. There
are also many other rare publications
and an assortment OF ancient legal
documents that form o2e Of the most
complete and interesting collections in
the west, and one that is priced far
above gold by its fortunate owners.
The bank in which these articles are
stored vas founded in 1885 by James
Aull, and is the Oldest bank in the
state. having been constantly in busi-
ness since thar time. In its vaults are
stored papers that tell Of many historic
and eventful transactions that took
place long time before the war, even
xs far back as the days OF Indian
traders aud boat loads Of negroes.
A few of the papers are Of especial
interest. In one of the letter files is a
copy Of communication in 1910, from
q Philadelphia banker. who was q
Quaker. stating that he would not be
able to longer handle the eastern bust
ness for the bank. He had been caring
for their drafts, but he had n suspicion
that some Of them represented III,
value Uf negroes sold and he had con
scisntious scruples against handling
aoy cash that was used for snch "a pur
ps,s6.
The old statutes of George Nv, are 1
curiosiiy compared with the law o
today. In the statutes there are pen
allies for wiichcraft and definition o
u witch 20 that the authorities nigh
know what 1t required to make witcl
and be prepared to handle an,
suspicious parties promptly. TheI
there - also q defluition OF what wa
termed "Hue and Cry" aud tn
penalty that Is provided for that ofens
against public quiet.
The book Is full Of other equall
peculiar statutes aud definitions an,
gives one an interesting glance Of wha
progress has been made In the law
since that time. II was formerly tn
property Of James Aull and has bee
kept in the vault as valuable rel,
aud memsnto of the days that ar
; passed. The owners arr. very proud q
it and have examined II 50 often the
are able 10 point out many of the NOR
! interesting portions ~ once.
Il A rare paper Of the collection bear
date Of March, 1883. 1t is CORES
, pendence between James Auil an
! Edward Tracy, Of ST. Louis, an
: contains an order or drift drawn !
1.-TWO, Indian chiefs>for n sum Of none
due. One Of the Indians signed Il
? draft with hrs mark, but the other W;
possibly suspicious of the actions al
customs Of the white man and failed
, make his cross. The draft, howeve
, lie marked paid, SO il was not spoil,
l by the absence Of the chiefs ..X''
: the signature. The correspondent
and copy Of the draft are rs follows:
II "Lexington, Mo-, March Z. 1888.
edward Tracy, Esq, st. Louis.
"Sir:-Referring to my letter e
!, closing = check In Br. Blk. w. 5. 4
D $50.
"I now enclose you order drawn
two Kickapoo chiefs on General Clal
for $500. Should 1t be paid you W
please pay James kenrery the sum
one hundred and fifty dollars (sl5t
on account Major J. Campbell and d
remaining fifty ($5O) dollars place
credit Of J. 4 Il. A. Respectfully
JAMES AULL.
General, Mr.. Clark, Superinten,ie
Of Indian affairs, My Father, we ha
been to see our friend John Campbe
who was formerly our trader. 4
Father, we lind tbat our patton is co
siderably indebted TO him for goo
sold 10 US, aud rs there was no appr
priation made TO pay our debts We wi
!. II there 10 any surplus money now n
!. otherwise appropriated that the unde
signed Chiefs request that you shou
pay on our part two hundred dolla
(S2OO) TO our friend Campbell, Al
this ssall be good against US for ih
amount. his
"PATCHUCHAW X Chief
Marx.
his
"MUSKAMA Chief.
Mark.
ga SHANE