The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-06-12
JERSEY JUSTICE OFT DOORS.
To Decide Mans Right 10 Kin en-.
Destroying Dos.

ORANGE, N. j., June 11.--Justice Of the
Peace Lander, who lives in St Cloud. on
top of the Orange Mountains. held court
on the front piazza of his home Yesterday
afternoon to hear n dog cose that has in
terested every farmer in the vicinity
Frank Ward Of West Orange was accused
Of shooting an Irish setter pup belonging to
Frank Dew ing, because the dog killed
Wards chickens, and Koewing sued for
500 for tie unlawful dc st1uotion Of the
animal.
The farmers didn't care anything about
the question Of damages. but they did want
to hear whether the Law thought the
shooting justihable. But they were disap-
pointed The prosecution failed to make
out a case and non-suit was ordered before
that much-disputed point came up.
The district over which Judge Lander
presides has no regular court house, so the
Judge calls his court in places that suit
the convenience Of all concerned and to-
day he planned to have the wheels Of jus
tice revolve on his front la wn. Rain spoiled
that plan 40 court assembled on the piazza
instead, with the Judge sitting behind his
parlor table, moved out for the occasion,
the lawyers, plaintiff and witness also
holding down paror furniture and the
rest OF the witnesses and audience perched
on the piazza rail, swinging their feet.
smoking and fighting mosquitoes
All hands wore their hats except the
Judge, as the first thing the Court ruled
was that there was no use OF everybody
getting BY g9inE without /; W hat
Orange, where he owns a handsome house
surrounded by large and beautiful grounds.
He didn't sue because he needed the money,
! but because he thought the dog was killed
unlawfully. He has, also. fondness for
| lawsuits, and brings one every little while
The lawyers In the case objected and
! wrangled as though some one was on trial
| for murder. Mr.; Koewing was the first
with ess. He had begun to give his idea
| Atkinson. for the defence, Objected long
| and loudly that he was not an expert. 1t
| took ten minute s to strengthen out that
point. On cross-examination the lawyer
asked If the pup had ever been pun.shnd
So Did You o ever try to see if he would
chase. chickens?- asked the lawyer: 49,,
What kind Of chickens? Prairie chick
e" no, roare s Atkinson SO that the Judges
neighbors rushed to the windows to see
what the row was about. Chickens,
chickens; just plain Plymouth Rocks
wei, dubWcIcS VIC "iVhooo' WIN
the pup out Of the yard once and he began
to run around and the chickens began to
fly and shook whip at him -,
Aha! Nov you're dodg,ns;; , You did
Don't you dare to insult me. Don't
you call me a dodger,' yelled back hoe
WING ou are q dodeer, you're trying to con-
ceal the truth retorted the lawyer. and
IoynnnA that fhov DaraOnailtleS
and get back to the trial.
did the dog chase the chickens or tho
chickens chase the pup" asked the lawyer.
That questions foolish ! won't an
swer," said Koewing hotly.
"Your Honor, l object to this line OF
questioning" broke in Koewing's lawyer,
Mr.. Robinson, who had come to the trial
on horseback and looked like a rough
rider in his high boots and spurs ms
You're the only minstrel here. re-
torted Atkinson and again the Judge in
terfered. When peace was restored the
original question was forgotten.
Nothing in Koewing's testimony showed
directly that Ward killed the dog.
The prosecution next called two more
witnesses, but both said they knew nothing
about the case. The next witness was OBJ
iected TO on the ground that he was ls, an i'm
Then Constable Dun bar testified that
Ward told him that he had shot dog, but
that he didn't say 1t was Koewings or that
he had killed It, All the prosec'ltion's
efforts TO connect the dog shot with Noe
wings dead pup fell down legally and the
prosecution rested.
Lawyer Atkinson moved that the Judge
declare il a nonsuit His opponent agreed
to 1t and the Judge so decided.
down to figure out costs and shares. got all
mixed up finally figured the costs at $3.50,
and the contestants nj length agreed TO
pay So 90 apiece. ~
Judges cigars. Lawyer Atkinson. and
Mr.. Koewins shook hands and made mp,
and court broke up without passing on
the perplexing question of chicken owners
rights