The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1910-09-08
CHURCH
AND STATE
BY AGATHA L. BREWER
Copyright, 1910 BY American Press
Association

cawky Jack was the sobriquet ap-
piled TO one OF the most viIlainous
demons that ever infested any OF the
territories belonging to the United
States. His name was said to be John
Biggers. but that was only snrmised
from the fact that on one occasion.
having killed man and been arrested,
he had been called upon to give HIS
name and had given that one.
For long while Cawky Jack was
accustomed to put people out OF his
way by means Of small round leaden
balls II was very Inexpensive way
of doing II, and at the time there was
no one in a position TO mike open OBJ
lection. But the original venomous
nest occupied by Jack grew to be
hamlet, then a town with a church.
The deacons Of the church finally
came to consider that the place had
outgrown Cawky Jack. He must
either be reformed or got. rid Of AT
d meeting Of the deacons 1t was de-
cided 10 send a committee TO the des-
perado to announce to him that he
must either come within the fold Of
the church or stop killing people or
-git ont" Jack sent back word that
he was not prepared TO become a Chris
tan and he didn't propose to leave a
place in which he had lived so long
and "whose boneyard he had done so
much to ILL.,"
At a meeting of the deacons to hear
the report of the committee Deacon
Riggs from Tennessee, who before his
conversion had done the next most to
Jack in filling the said boneyard, got
up and spoke as follows:
Brethren, reckon we'ns all air
reckensiled to the fac that the sinner
must be removed, peryided It kin be
done accordin TO Scripture. Now, |
hold that the good book doesn't no
whar forbid US 10 strike down the enc
mics o. the Lord. 1t does say that he
who smites with the sword shall per-
ish by the sword or words to that eff
feet. But whar, I'd like to know. does
II say anything about the revolver
move that after pra'r we resolve our
selves into a committee TO 90 forth
and the fust one Of US that meets
Cawky Jack opens fire.
The speaker sat down, and Brother
Hargau arose.
Il think" said Hargan, shat ] kin
name better way than that. rec
cymend that we offer a twenty dollar
bill to any man as II shoot Cawky
jack
Since nobody wished to take per-
sonal part In the job, the motion found
favor with the brethren. Hargan was
empowered to make the offer, and the
meeting adjourned.
The next morning notice appeared
on the church door stating that any
body who would shoot Cawky Jack
would receive $40 from the church
funds. The object of this notice saun-
tering by the church, saw it and read
IT. lie went on very thoughtful. The
next day be expressed desire to meet
the deacons, and they agreed to meet
him that evening in wing Of the
church used for a Sunday school room
when they were assembled Jack arose
and said:
Il appreciate the effort O. You gents
III tryln' to make this we're respect
able community. But / allus hearn
thurs no gov '1nent 50 low down as the
goy'ment O. the richeous. The church
is fer spiritual work the law Is fer
gov'ment. Now, if you gents will or
ganize a court in this we're town as II.
make law agin carryin' weapons I'll
be the fust to drap mine"
Since this was coming In another
way at what the committee wanted
they agreed TO the proposition, called
public meeting, and court was duly
organized. AS soon as this was eff
fected Cawky Jack swore out war
rant against the deacons, charging
them with conspiracy with intent to
kin him. The people were somewhat
taken aback at this proceeding on the
part OF the legally reformed Cawky
lack. but the newly elected officers
saw no way to proceed except in ac-