Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1909-08-24

After hearing the testimony in this
case and having made a thorough ex-
animation of the law on the subject
hereby pronounce the prisoner not
guilty and he is discharged"
How can you do that?" demanded
Attorney Cunningham, who prosecut-
ed the case. THE prisoner admits
that he killed the Chinaman and he
must be guilty. How can he be dis
charged?"
Il have examined the statute care
fully and there is no law in thar agin'
man killing a Chinaman," said Roy.
IF you will find me any such law
! will bind the prisoner over to the
higher co'rt, but have got to follow
what is laid down in this book, and If
this or any other man goes out and
kills one Chinaman or hundred Of
them there is no law here that can
tech EN-"
No argument on the part Of Prose-
cutor Cunningham could change the
peculiar views Of Roy, and the prison.
er went scot free. Probably had the
murder been a more aggravated one
the decision Of Roy's would have been
investigated by the authorities, but in
those days the killing Of Chinaman
or Mexican on the frontier was con-
sidered a very light offense.
Roy still maintains that his position
in this case was correct. 1 was talking
to him about 1t the other day, and he
declared that he followed the law
strictly in finding the prisoner not
guilty of any offense.
Soon after Roy first assumed the
duties of his Office he was waited upon
one day by young man, employed on
one of the ranches of that section, ac-
companied by buxom young woman,
the daughter of a ranchman. The cou-
pie blushingly informed Roy that they
wanted "ter be hitched," as they had
both decided to quit ''trottin' in single
harness."
Roy tied the nuptial knot in an i'm
pressive style, and the couple departed
for their humble home in happy
frame of mind. About a year later
the groom paid Roy another visit.
This time he wore detected appear
ance, and in response to the question
as to the OBJECT of his visit he inform
ed Roy that he could not get along
with his bride, and they both wanted
to be separated. Roy told him to
bring his wife to him, and after he
had heard her story he would divorce
them If he found that the law and the
facts warranted such a proceeding. On
the following day the young husband
rode up in front Of Roy's office with his
wife sitting on the horse behind him.
They alighted and came into the pres
ence of the court. After rapping the
few loungers about the place TO order
Roy told the young woman to go ahead
and tell her story. She did so, and
painted things pretty black for her
husband. The latter told what he had
to say against his wife, and 1t was
evident that the best way out Of the
trouble was a divorce. This was the
view Roy took of the matter, and af-
ter hearing the two stories he called
the couple before him and pronounc-
ed them separated in the most solemn
manner. He then told the couple to
go; that they had been divorced, and
h1t 90 In fhau
ran across the proper persons.
1t was not long until news Of the d.
vorcement Of this couple by Judge
Bean reached Ell Paso, and the matter
was brought to the attention Of Dis
trict Judge T. A. Falvey, in whose dis
trict Roy's jurisdiction was located.
Judge Falvey considered it a very Sc
rious matter, and he started posthaste
for Langtry to inquire into the case.
He found Roy as happy as ever and
ready to handle any business that
might come before his court. Judge
Falvey proceeded to take him severe
ly to task for his action in divorcing
the couple, and attempted to show
him that he had committed a serious
offence. Roy listened attentively and
at the conclusion of Judge Falvey's
remarks asked this question:
"Jedge, when you find you have
committed an error in your court,
what do you do? Don't you try an
rect'fy it?"
Certainly 1 do" replied Judge Fall
vey.
well, that's jest what I always do,
and when 1 married that young cou-
pie I made an error, and I felt 1t was
my duty to correct it; and I did 1t by
divorcing 'em. I may not have the
law on my side, but I'll be ID if it
amt common sense"
1 was talking with Roy the other
day, when I asked him how he man.
aged to hold office so long, and If
there was ever a candidate put up
against him.
II don't know as there is anybody
wants the Office" he explained. I'm
about the only man that could ever
make anything out Of it. Yes, feller
down here on the river ran agin me a
few years ago and when the votes
were counted he was elected. turned
the office over to him and he run it
for a few days, and then come to me
and wanted to sell it out ter me. We
dickered about 1t for several days,
and 1 finally bought the office from
him. 1 gave him jug of whisky and
two bar skins and pet coon, and the
commission was changed from his
name to mine. l have been holding
the office ever since. Cor. Globe
Democrat (Texas) Langtry.
Microbes.