The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1909-07-09
Another Madden Story.

John Madden tells this story on
Judge New illiams wh9 used to be
one Of the characters OF Cottonwood
Falls. On one occasion when Nc
Williams was holding court there was
Q jury case 10 which a man by the
name of Brandon was either plaintiff
or defendant.
The jury took the case under advise
meat but was slow In coming TO an
agreement. The court had another
engagement and was impatient to
get away. Brandon and his attorney
were sitting In the court room waiting
for the verdict when the justice ex-
pressed his impatience. "Why," he
said, II don't understand what that
jury is hanging out for. They ought
TO be able to dec de this case without
any trouble"
Chow would you decide the case il
you had it to decide?" asked Bran
don's attorney.
why, would decide it In favor Of
Brandon, of course," said the justice.
"There is only one side to this case"
This put an Idea into the mind OF
Brandon's lawyer The noted Colonel
Sam Wood represented the ether side
In the case but was not present when
the court gave its informal opinion.
The attorney slipped out and busted
up Sam Wood and said, Sam, that
jury acts as if it might hang out all
night-suppose we just leave the
decision to the Justice" can right,
said Sam, II will do that"
Accordingly they went back to the
Justices Office where they found the
court smoking cob pipe and Bran
don's lawyer said, Judge, we have
concluded to have the jary called in
and dismissed and leave the decision
OF this case to you"
This was a surprise to the court.
He scratched his head and asked II it
was entirely satisfactory to both
parties to leave the decision to him.
They both said that 1t was. The jury |
Nas called in and discharged. After
deeply on the matter for a
few moments McWilliams gave his
opinion fatty against Brandon. Bran
don was a powerful man Of violent
temper who had record as fighter
that ran back for a good many years.
For a minute he was paFalyzed with
asteuishment at the decision Of the
court and then with a.voice trembling
with rage he said, "Y our honor, that
is your decision is it?" The court
SAID it was.
SIS this court adjiurued?" asked
Brandon, making prepare ions 10 re
moye his coat.
HcWllliams was not man who |
needed TO be knocked down and blown |
away by a cyclone before he knew
that it was il his neighbofhood. He
understood that the only thing that
sept Brandon from mounting his
frame was his innate respect for the
authority aad power Of the court. He
had been anxious TO adjourn court
short time befgre but his anxiety
seemed to suddenly vanish.
"No, this court is not adjourned and
what is more it won't he. This court
will be Ia session all night and maybe
all cay tomorrow"
Brandon glowered at the justice but
did not attack him. He went outside
and, filled with rage, walked up and
down the sidewalk in front Of the
Justices Office waiting for Nc Williams
to appear. The shades Of night fell
aud Brandon was still walking hack
and forth In frent of the temple If
Justice. A wiRdow in the rear OF the
court softly opsned and Nc Williams
bounded out through itInto the night.
The court was adjourned.-MaIl and
Breeze,
Ri CwTQc2rrrya7E II a tl7sSl AZ ~