Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1904-04-29
ANNALS OF
ANDERSON CO.
ANOTHER INSTANCE Of BOGUS LAW.
By W. II. Ambrose, Of Greeley.

The pioneers of Anderson county we're gath
eted from many lands. Both Europe and the
United States were drawn upon. and they have
left their seals upon the events of the early
years. England, Ireland and Wales gave neigh
bors to sons of New England, Ohio, Iowa, In
diana, Illinois and other of the then free states,
as did, also, South Carolina, Georgia, Missis.
sippi, Alabama, Missouri and others of the then
slave holding states. They came from the diff
feIent lands of their nativity with their peculiar
views about the rights of man to his person
and property. Clannishness amidst all who
came from any given neighborhood, to certain
extent, existed among ALL, Concessions had to
he made. Preferences had to be yielded. Cher.
ished bonds had to be broken. In short, new
societies had to be formed; new associations
almost as many forms of law as there were in
dividuals. One neighbor wanted something
his neighbors did not want. Some bitter doses
were taken that genuine sweet might be had,
but the bitterest of all doses was to come under
the reign of law through the bogus laws i'm
had but little right. The mark was supreme.
Under it, but little was done, and so continued
until the lovers of freedom got control of the
legislature and secured code little more in
harmony with the spirit of the age. Under'it
if your neighbor owed you, you had to prove
the indebtedness-your oath was not suAicieut.
Though the indebtedness occurred throueh
transaction known only to yourselves, you were
left You were without the proof required.
Under this provision, couple of neighbors
tried to adjust some differences, but seriously
failed. One would do nothing only as it suited
him. He was really in debt eighteen dollars
to parties who will henceforth be referred to as
defendants He had manufactured bill, and,
IN fact, three of them, and made such demands
that the deieudants quit him. No two Of his
bills were alike. In strict justice, he was in
uebt to defendants, but he wanted to wipe that
out and have heavy surplus. They would
not yield to plaintiffs demand, SO he entered
suit and called for jury.
Suspicious that the call for jury was made
to be recalled when it would be too late for de-
PENDANTS to call for one, one of the defendants
called on the justice few days before the trial
day, and learned that the request for jury had
been recalled. The defendants then called for
a jury. And thus things remained until all
parties met on the day set for trial.
The defendants lived in Franklin county and
the Justice in Anderson. P. P. Elder was at
torney for defendants 1t took just about ten
minutes to secure non.suit and the defend
ants Immediately left for home. In day or
two, other papers were served on the defend
ants, and, through some informality, the plain
tiff was non.suited again. Immediately, the
defendants started for home, but before they
crossed the county line, the constable caught
them within the Justices jurisdiction and served
other papers on them. On the day set for the
trial, all parties met. 1t took halliday to get
the Jury, and then the grind commenced.
Under the bogus laws, each item of bills had
to be proven. On his testimony, the plaintiff
fell with thud. He had manufactured his
bill, and could prove bat little of it. The de-
PENDANTS admitted most of plaintiffs bill that
was finally accepted. The defendants proved
[Concuded on editorial page.]