Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1911-08-02
CHURCH
AND STATE
By AGATHA L. BREWER
Copyright. 1910, BY American Press
Association.

demons that ever infested any of the
territories belonging TO the United
States. His name was said to be John
Biggers. but that was oEly 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 long while Cawky Jack was
accustomed TO put people out of his
way by means of small round leaden
balls. II was a very inexpensive way
Of doing it. and at the time there was
no one in a position TO mike open oh
lection. But the original venomous
nest occupied by Jack grew 70 be a
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
meeting Of the deacons il was de-
cided TO send a committee 10 the des-
perado TO announce 10 him that be
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
tan and he didn't propose to leave a
place in which be had lived so long
and whose boneyard he had done so
much to ILL.,"
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. l reckon VEINS all air
reckensiled to the fac that the sinner
must be removed. pervided it kin be
done accordln' TO Scripture. Now,
hold that the good book doesn't no
whar forbid us TO 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. ia Ike to know, does
it say anything about the revolver?
move that after pra'r we resolve our
selves into n committee TO so forth,
and the fust one of us that meets
Cawky Jack opens fire."
The speaker sat down. aud Brother
Hargan arose.
Il think" said Hargan. that kin
mare a better way than that | rec
cy md that we offer a twenty dollar
bih to any man as II shoot Cawky
Jack"
Since nobody wished to take a per
sona part in the job, the motion found
favor with the brethren. Hargan was
| empowered 10 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 500 from the church
funds. The object Of this notice. saun-
/ tering by the church. saw 1t and read
| II. He went on,very thoughtful. The
next day be expressed desire TO meet
the deaeons. and they agreed TO meet
! him that evening in a 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
| In tryin' to make this yere a respect
able community. But / allus bearn
thurs no gov'ment so low down as the
| gov'ment o. the ricteous. The church
| is fer spiritual work, the law is fer
goY'ment Now. If you gents win or
ganize court in this yere town as II
make a law agin earryin' weapons ri
be the fust to drap niue"
! 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 a 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
/ Jack, but the newly elected officers
saw no way TO proceed except In ac-
| cordance with the statutes. The
| deaeons were all arrested, but imme-
| diately bailed.
Their counsel. a real lawyer import
ed for the purpose of defending them.
informed them that a long term OF Inn
| 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 thu
FIRST man to meet Cawky Jack after
| the decision.
"Howdy, deacon?" said Jack.
"Howdy. Jack?" replied the deacon.
How is the law workin'Y
First rate. It's church and state
together. The law says Garry no
weapons. The church says 'smite him
hip and thigh
There was n report and Jack fell
dead.
This removed the prosecutor Of the
deacons. and a nolle prosequi was
entered.
The little wooden church on whose
door was tackled the offer for the elm
nation Of Cawky Jack IS now an emf
neutiy respectable stone edifce, and
its worshipers are redued people. Its
founders seemed TO realize that the