The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1910-12-15
CHURCH
AND STATE
By AGATHA L. BREWER
Copyright. 1910. by American Press
Accoria tior

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 surmised
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 a long while Cawky Jack was
accustomed to put people out Of his
way by means Of small round leaden
balls. 1t was very inexpensive way
of doing it, and at the time there was
no one in position to make open OBJ
lection. But the original venomous
nest occupied by Jack grew to be
hamlet, then town with church.
The deGcons of the church finally
came to consider that the place had
outgrown Cawky Jack. He must
either be reformed or got rid Of. AT
a meeting of the deacons it was de-
cided to 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 out" Jack sent back word that
he was not prepared to become Chris"
tian and he didn't propose to leave
place in which he had lived so long
and "whose boneyard he had done so
much to FILL"
At 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 VEINS all air
reckensiled to the fac that the sinner
must be removed, peryided it kin be
done accordin' to Scripture. Now, l
hold that the good book doesn't no.
whar forbid us to strike down the enc
mics O. the Lord. It does say that he
who smites with the sword shall per-
ish by the sword or words to that ef-
feet. But whar, I'd like to know, does
it say anything about the revolver?
move that after pra'r we resolve our
selves into a committee to go forth.
and the fust one of us that meets
Cawky Jack opens fire."
The speaker sat down. and Brother
Hargan arose.
II think" said Hargan, that kin
name better way than that. | rec
cymend that we offer twenty dollar
bill to any man as. II shoot Cawky
Jack" -
Since nobody wished to take a 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 a 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
1t. He went on very thoughtful. The
next day he expressed desire to meet
the deacons. and they agreed to meet
him that evening in a wing Of the
church used for Sunday school room.
When they were assemb led Jack arose
and said:
Il appreciate the effort O you gents
in tryin' to make this yere respect
able community. But l allus hearn
thurs no gov'ment SO low down as the
gov'ment o. the richeous. The church
is fer spiritual work; the law is Ger
gov'ment. Now, If you gents will or
ganize court in this we're town as IL
make law agin carryin' weapons I'll
be the fust to drap NINE"
Since this was coming in another
way at what the committee wanted
they agreed to the proposition, called
a public meeting. and a court was duly
organized. As soon as this was ef-
fected Cawky Jack swore out war
rant against the deacons, charging
them with conspiracy with intent to
kill him. The people were somewhat
taken aback at this proceeding on the
part Of the legally reformed Cawky
Jack. but the newly elected officers
saw no way to proceed except in &C.
cordance with the statutes. The
deacons were all arrested. but imme-
diately bailed.
Their counsel, real lawyer import
ed for the purpose of defending tn =
Informed them that long term of iu'-
prisonment was the penalty fixed for
their crime and the proof was undis-
putable. They unanimously decided to
return to Deacon Riggs plan.
The Tennesseean was himself the
first man to meet Cawky Jack after
the decision.
"Howdy. deacon?" said Jack.
"Howdy, Jack?'' replied the deacon.
"How is the law workin'?'
First rate It's church and state
together" The law says Garry no
weepons.' The church says 'Smite him
hip and thigh"
There was a report and Jack fell
dead.
This removed the prosecutor of the
deacons, and nolle prosequi was