The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1905-07-25
WAS IN TURKISH COURT
Interesting Experience in the
Orient of a South Nc
Alester Man.

south MeAlestsr, I. T.. July 2s.-wan
In Jerusalem recently the writer. to-
gether with a party 81 friends met with
a rather novel experience which viii long
remain Ia our memory The party was
enfoute to the Mosque Of Omar, which
stands on the former site OF King Solo
mons tsmple All at once heavy show.
er OF rain commenced to fall. not b,1ns
provided with umbrellas on this occa-
sion al members OF the party .orght
shelter In TIE nearest doorway the door
Of which stood invitingly open TO our
utter astonishment We were unexpected
~ ushered into room where a Turkish
court was being held. The judge WIS a
dignifed Turk. who wore long binck
whiskers and had on a long. reddish
looking robe which swept to the ground.
Although deeply ehgaycd ir the rase
that was being tried before him the
Judge found time to smoke from a large
pipe which stood on the floor near by.
the smoke being drawn from the 9wi
Of the pipe dowr through a bowl of
water to the judges mouth through a
lens rubber tube. His honor was both
judge and jury number OF advocates
Witnesses ard spectators We're sitting or
reclining on mats ranged around the
sides Of the roora. while the Judge SGT in
high chair and the lawyer stood while
making plea for his client with the
exception of the visitors the entire as
scmbly consisted Of Turks ana Jews.
/ The prisoner az the bar was Jew he
was charged with stealing a coat from
another Jew The evidence. given IN
Arabic by The Witnesses. seemed to con-
vince the Judge that the prisoner was
guilty. as he was sentenced 20 nine
months in Jail The trial waS INST h"ne
coramded when the Americans arrived
upon the scene
Immediately upon our arrival the Judge
arose from his seat and approaching 81
"a dlguihod manner. offered each Of us
his hand and saying in excellent Erg-
llsh that he was bappy 10 bc honorpt
with ON presence IN his humble c0rr
room he then adjourned court for IA,
remainder Of the evening and m,itec as
to remain and have some rcfi eshments
After coffee and cake had been served
~ The court bailin. some OF the party
took little wine for the stomach's sake
claiming tuat 1t would offset The col,
rain which was falling on the outside
The wri. er being from the IuIian eer
ritcry and living IN prohibition com
try. begged to be excused from drink
ing wine
In answer 10 the question as 90 nov
me happened 10 speak such eood Eng
lish the Judge stated that he bad learn
ed hc English language from his chill
dren. He had only seventeen children
and several wives who mad attended th'
American mission schools ia Constant
norle anc had learntd the English hn
suage IN that way.
The judge made nouirv as 90 how w
conducted our judicial syst"N we toll
him how our learned Judges IN lnGiai
Territory and The different stats he'll
court with jury system and that the
We're only allowed one wife and seliou
had as many as seventeen children. Bi
honor replied. with a sigh tina he woui
mot IKE TO be a judge In the unite
States. unless ne could have all Of m.
wives and children live with him
After spending pleasant hour or s.
We left the learned judge and proceede
10 the Mosque of Omar where We spen
the remainder Of the evening inspectin
the magnificent structure. Which is sal
to rival IN splendor the temple built o.
the same spot by King solomon thou
sands Of years ago The Turks hi ghl
vcnerate King solomon, but reiect Chris
AS being divine believing that Mohame
was the true Christ and divine
wM NOBLE