Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1897-12-03
jim BURNETT, OF TOMBSTONE.
He Made His Court Not Only Self-Sus-
tanning, But n Source of Revenue.

tHiuiuS, nut u sourcc VI AecNe""~'
A stormy life It was that ended the
other day when old Jim Burnett was
killed in Tombstone by William Greene
"a life full Of experiences of the bor-
der kind, that would supply material
for 20 of the most thrilling of the yell
low-backed novels. The end was in
keeping with the life. Burnett, JUS
tice of the peace in Pearce Camp, had
left his work in order to go down on
the San Pedro river, 80 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 n daughter Of Greene, aged
IS, and her friend from Bsbee. 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 bail, and
will probably be acquitted if ever
brought to trial.
Since Burnett's death many are the
tales being raked up about him. He
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
Hest of cowboys. The whisky sold
wasn't of the mildest brand, and, con-
sequently, tribulation grew within the
community, and the Justices court
was always open. Burnett did rush.
ing business. At the end of three
months he duly reported, as by law re-
quired, to the county supervisors, send
ing in his bill for the amount due him
from the county. The county fathers
cut the bill down one-half. Bu,nett
swore vigorously when he got tie re.
turns, but held no further communica
tions with the county seat. Another
three months elapsed, the county
treasurer wrote Burnett to forward
his quarterly statement. The reply
came promptly. 1t was: "The blazes
with you; this court after this will
be self-sustaining"
And so it was, in great shape. Every
time cowboy would get exhilaratet
and shoot up the town, the Judge would
fine him several hundred dollars, ant
would pocket what remained after pay
ing his constables for the arrest
One day old man Schwartz got ex
cited and killed man. After the jus
tice, as ex-oflicio coroner, had finished
the inquest, he had Swartz hailed be
fore the bar, found him guilty of tn,
crime, and fined him $1,000. Schwartz
wanted to appeal the case, but Bur
nett wonld issue no papers on appeal
So the defendant sent up to Tombston
for Attorney Mark Smith, now dele
gate to congress from Arizona. Smitl
came down at once and heard Schwartz
tale of woe. It was clear case of mur
der.
PAY the money, you ass" the law
yer fairly shouted, "and then you e
bury yourself somewhere down in Mex
leo"
Schwartz paid and skipped, and tn
case was never heard Of again in court
But the county never received an.
OF that coin. Those who figured o.
the proposition said that Burnett cam
out $4,000 ahead on his Office in tw
years.--Kansas City Journal