The Cairo bulletin., 1906-05-05
"A LAW "A BIDING
OFFICER
IOriginai,l


he served long time for that location
Either a sheriff there was soon killed
In the performance OF his duty, nftel
the performance of his duty or was
obliged to Leave Bert Pike was SC
cool and determined that few cared tC
resist him. Besides, he had a way OF
intoxicating great respect for the Law
into those with whom he came in con
tact At any rate, he got along till q
run of bad luck obliged him to kill two
or three greasers, after which, know
ing 1t was only question of time
when he would get knife or bullet
In the back from some one Of the nu
merous greaser population, he went
away one evening and did not appear
In those parts again. He was much
regretted by the better part of the pop
ulation, both on account of his etiiclen
cy and his great reverence for the law
Pike went down to Donna Ana coun'
| ty, intending to make a new home
there. He was sitting at tavern din
ncr table when, on looking up, he saw
n big Mexican whom he recognized as
one of the gang into which he had done
his shooting coming in with blood In
| his eve. A shot rang out, and the Mex
| lean fell dead. Pike, knowing what he
had come for, did not wait to be told
about 1t or to have his purpose execut-
ed He drew with the lightning rapid
| lty for which he was famous, fired and
| want IN natIncy bic 1ipnnr
| Now 1t happened that a young law
yer from the east had come out to the
| territory to practice law, and, his at
| tainments being recognized, he was at
once made judge. Hearing Of the shoot
ing he set the machinery of the law in
motion, and the sheriff was directed to
arrest Pike aud bring him before the
court for trial. The sheriff knew Pike
by reputation and, approaching him in
friendly manner, told him that the
Judge wanted to see him about the kill
ing IN order to satisfy the majesty of
the law. Bert replied that he would be
happy to accompany him, but when
asked to leave his weapons outside the
courtroom demurred The sheriff, not
daring to attempt to disarm him. per-
mltted him to go in with a Winchester
in his hands and two six shooters in
his belt
what do you mean by coming into
court prisoner, armed| asked the
judge angrily.
Il was told, your honor, that there
was little law monkeyin' TO be gone
through with in the matter of my KILN
the greaser to make it all right. was
known up in Valencia as the law re-
spectin' sheriff, and I wants it under
stood that | always reveres the law
All I want now is fair play, and as
long as | got my grip on these yere
playthings / amt afraid but III git 1t.
| don't want to have this we're thing
hangin' over me-"
The Judge looked over the court Off
Gals to see If there was any of them
on whom he could rely TO disarm the
prisoner, and seeing there was not he
made virtue of necessity and pro-
cceded with the trial
Pike, in the eyes of the law. had
very weak case. He had fired so quick
that the greaser had not had time even
10 draw his weapon His hand had
grasped it, but in his fall he had re-
leased his grip, and the revolver re-
manned in his belt. On its face it was
a clear case OF the murder of peace
ful citizen. When called on 10 speak
in his own behalf the prisoner said:
You'd better convict me, gentlemen
OF the jury, cause | haint 10 time to |
work up defense. I'd have TO send |
mp 10 my county for witnesses. and |
that would take time Besides, the life |
OF greaser isn't worth the trouble"
Such being the evidence of murder |
and the want of evidence of justilica- !
ton, the jury had no choice but to |
bring in verdict Of murder IN the |
frst degree. The prisoner thanked them |
for the expedition with which they had |
Gcted and requested the judge to pro-
bounce sentence Immediately.
The judge seeing that he could not
control events, wisely concluded 10 per
nit events TO control him. He granted
he prisoners request by promptly sen
fencing him to be taken out from the
and hanged by the neck
ruth he was dead Pike arose, and the
sheriff led the way out to tree in
front of the store over which court
was held n rope was procured. a mule
art was impressed into the legal scrv.
Zee ard The prisoner put into II. Then
he sheriff adjusted the moose and. get
Ing dawn. went TO the head Of the
mule and took hold Of tile bit to lead
nc animal forward.
The prisoner submitted TO all this.
'nly manifestlng some impaticncc.
When the sheriff proposed TO bind his
rms Pike demurrcd. saying that he
rad no intention OF interfering with
he hanging. The sheriff desistcd.
When the sheriff was about TO lead tie
mule onward the doomed man asked
lin to wait moment and said to him:
Mr.. Sheriff | don't think It far that
should uphold the majesty of the law
lone. You'd ought 10 help me-"
The sheriff looked the prisoner I'm the
q and read his meaning. The lead /
ne forward Of the mule would result |
n mo Of fhoza o,,fci- abo4o f,.o,,, a. I