The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1897-10-15
@IEl De-,
BURNETT OF TOMBSTONE.
County Cut Down His Bill, and He Ran
the Court to Suit HIMSELF

County Cut Down His Bill, and He Ran
the Court to Suit Himself.
A stormy life was that ended when
old Jim Burnett was killed in Tomb.
stone by William Greene-a life full of
experiences of the border kind that
would supply material for 30 Of the
most thrilling of the yellow backed
novels The end was in keeping with
the life. Burnett, a justice of the peace
in Pearce camp, had left his work in
order to go down on the San Pedro riv-
er, 90 miles away, and blow out with
giant powder the irrigating canal dam
Of his enemy, Greene. Below at the
time, probably unknown to Burnett,
were two young girls, one daughter
Of Greene, aged 10, and her friend from
Bisbee. They were caught in the flood
that followed the explosion and were
drowned. The father learned of the
presence Of his foe, saddled his horse,
rode over to Tombstone, found Burnett
on the main street and shot him down.
The town stood behind Greene in his
deed. He has been admitted to light
u
brought to trial.
Since Burnett's death many are the
tales being raked up about him. His
was singular personality. Strong
willed and violent in temper, he es-
pecially shone in frontier camp. 1t
was, therefore, quite appropriate that
he should have been elected Justice of
the peace in 1881 at Charleston, on the
San Pedro, where the rich ores of Tomb
stone were at that time milled.
Charleston was then bowling camp,
full Of freighters, miners and the wool
lest Of cowboys. The whisky sold wasn't
of the mildest brand, and consequently
tribulation safe within the community
and the justice court was always open.
Burnett did rushing business. At the
end of three months he duly reported,
as by law required, to the county super
yisors, sending in his bill for the amount
due him from the county. The county
fathers cut the bill down one-half. Bur-
nett swore vigorously when he got the
returns, but held no further commune
cations with the county seat Another
three months elapsing, the county treas
urer wrote Burnett to furnish his quar-
terly statement. The reply came prompt
ly. twas: "The blazes with you! This
court after this will be self sustaining +"
And so 1t was, in great shape. Every
time cowboy would get exhilarated
and shoot up the town the judge would
fine him several hundred dollars and
would pocket what remained after pay
ing his constables for the arrest.
One day old man Schwartz got excit-
ed and killed man. After the justice,
an ex-offlcio coroner, had finished the
inquest he had Schwartz hailed before
the bar, found him guilty of the crime
and fined him 1000. Schwartz wanted
to appeal the case, but Burnett would
issue no papers on appeal. SO the de-
| PENDANT sent up to Tombstone for Attor-
ney Mark Smith, now delegate to con-
gress from Arizona. Smith came down
at once and heard Schwartz's tale of
woe. 1t was O clear case of murder.
"Pay the money, you ass" the law
yer fairly shouted, land then go bury
yourself somewhere down in Mexico"
Schwartz paid and skipped, and the
case was.never again heard Of in court.
But the county never received any OF
that coin. Those who figured on the
proposition said that Burnett came out
| $40, 900 ahead on his Office in two years.
| Philadelphia Times