Evening journal., 1905-06-12
LAW IN CACHAH0ULA
COUNTY
foriginall

by his honor Judge Lynch. The few
scattered people who dwelt in those
parts consequently suffered from the
loss of horses, mules and other proper
ty, besides being murdered in open day
whenever some desperate took fancy
to kill any one. One Of these. called
Redheaded Pete, would come into the
principal town at intervals and usually
departed with a good deal Of cash,
leaving behind him one or more
corpses. At last he killed Bill Mattuck,
man much beloved in the community,
and Bills brother Sam, who was not
fighting man. but was willing to pay
literally to have his fighting done for
him. made up his mind that Pete must
die. He thereupon remarked one day
openly that he would be glad TO "assist
any man financially" who would do the
job.
Now. there happened to be in the
crowd at the time Josh Scull, one Of the
very men who were so Objectionable.
"What'll " givef" he asked
"Three hundred dollars" said Sam.
] Nldkt IT. rfNN anu I II ~ y
There was consultation between
! Mattuck and the others. All agreed
that II was a practical way of getting
rid Of Redheaded Pete, and possibly in
I the fray Josh Scull might also be elm
/ mated. Sam Mattuck had offered his
/ all, but II was agreed that his fellow
citizens should support him In so
I q INarH In
( which all We're interested. so they de-
cided to furnish the remaining 5000.
As soon as this was settled Scull was
commissioned to seek Redheaded Pete,
I pick a quarrel with him and shoot him,
but it was not obligatory on Scull TO
use such honorable warfare. These
were his instructions, but he might use
any method he pleased without forfeit
ing his pay. the full amount Of which
was given him in advance in lieu OF
Expenses"
Scull pocketed the money and started
on his mission. He was gone tust long
enough TO reach his man and return.
when one evening while the citizens
were sitting on the store porch smok-
ing their pipes and wondering If their
enemy had fallen the man who had
gone TO slay and the man to be Stayed
rode into town side by side and stop
ped in front Of the party.
"M' friends" said Pete, there hes
been disregard fer the majesty o the
law in this place truly remarkable
Josh Scull here hes informed me that
he hes been paid $500 to murder me, a
proceeding which in any court would
send all OF v to states prison fer q
good term O. years. I'm on my way tC
G., whar court Is now IN session. and
every man Of Y who paid Scull money
TO murder me may look out fer arrest u
He paused. and the citizens looked
not only disappointed, but much trou
bled
"Now, I'll play v a far game" con
/. tinued the desperate. "Tll raise yeI
$500 jist 81 900. which think II freeze
y all out, and I'll give y twenty-fouI
hours to put up. If the moneys in my
hands by this time tomorrer night II
let y of: IL not. in another twenty-fouI
hours y'll all be jugged."
During this harangue Scull made nt
comment, and at its close be and PETE
rode Off a short distance, leaving thu
citizens to confer as TO the acceptance
or rejection Of the terms. 1t was i'm
possible to raise so much ready money
in so short a time, and other means o.
getting out of the difficulty must bI
devised. Finally Mattuck. whose blood
had been slowly rising since the shoot
ing Of HIS brother and was now boiling
at the swindle perpetrated by Scun
declared he would risk his carcass
against that rascal If any one woult
do the same by Pote. A young fellow
? named Scott volunteered, and the mat
ter was settled.
Scott informed the two self consti
tuted protectors OF law and order tina
, the money would be paid the next day
This was to disarm suspicion, and j
= had the desired effect. The despera
does returned to the hamlet and pu
up at one of its six or eight houses
the saloon.
They were invited to take "just on
more" by one OF the contributors to tn
fund, and a dozen men were lined ~
at the bar, Mattuck and Scott being II
the rear rank, Mattuck behind Soul
and Scott behind Pete, when two shot
rang out. A little round hole appeare'
in the head of each desperate, ant
> they fell on the floor.
{ The next day the citizens reassem
= bled. organized one OF Judge Lynch
, courts and proceeded TO try Mattucl
and Scott for murder. The accuse'
pleaded that the victims had robbed
them Of the affections Of their wives
, but since neither of them was mar
ried the judge would not allow tn
: plea. They then pleaded that the mel
e had played foul at poker, but sine
= no gambling had been done they wer
2 Obliged TO ind some other justification
Scott, who had furnished the Horse ol
which Scull had ridden to kill Red
headed Pete, finally pleaded to hay
acted for the public safety In punishinl
horse stealing. The plea was allowed
Then Mattucx pleaded justification il
T punishing completely with horse steal
t ing. and his plea was also allowed
, Witnesses were duly sworn and eS
t amined. with the result Of a verdict o
q justifable homicide.
A record Of the proceedings OF th
court having been made aud deposite
with the barkeeper, the citizens breath
ed freely They were not likely TO