The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-03-28
Rev. David Lyons Tells of Ex-
perience in Region.
LAWYERS RULE GOVERNMENT
Clique and Decide Cases Re-
CARELESS of Justice.
ssSauirrel'' Rifles, but No Re-
vOIvers Allowed.

| Rev. David Lyon, pastor of tie Cen
trail Avenue Christian church which is
to be re-modeled soon, is from the
country. near Hillsville Va. This is
the scene of the recent shooting OF
Judge Massie after which the Aliens
escaped to the mountains Rev MI
Lyon was born near Bristol, rem, NOT
far from the Virginia line. He also
taught at Mountain City. the county
seat of Johnson county, Tenn. This is
the northeast corner county in the state
and only 40 miles from Bristol, thus not
far from Hillsville In speaking of the
shooting, Rev. Mr.. Lyon said that Whlle
he by no means approved of the action.
at the same time he remembered that
there was two sides to every question,
and in 1892 the year he taught at Noun
tain City, the lawyers, hE cHquing, viz
tually controlled the government and
often worked into each others hands;
thus drawing case to any conclusion
they chose.
The preacher describes the country as
mountainous and the people typical
southerners, given to hospitality. AS
an illustration of this he tells of an in
cident when he was on his way from
Mountain City to hear Talmage lecture
at Bristol.
"While by no means I sanction the
Allen shooting affair in which Judge
Massie was killed at Hillsville, I can't
help thinking that there might be two
sides to that matter. there is to all
affairs said Rev Mr.. Lyon this after
noon. ct was born near Bristol, Tenn,
and taught a couple of years in the
early EOS at Mountain City, Tenn, not
far from Bristol. And these towns are
not far from the Eillsville country
When 1 read of the shooting I recalled
that at the time I was there lawyers
ruled. The government was virtually
in their hands. If one of the lawyers
was in trouble, the others would
clique together and get him out, with
out regard to Justice, so it seemed to
me at times. Or especially in minor
cases the lawyers would often work the
cases into each others hands, and get
any result they wanted. OF course
where there was great deal of money
on both sides. both counsels for plain
tiff and defendant would have to put
up a good fight to win.
These things came under my obser-
walton as Mountain City was the coun-
ty seat Of Johnson county. 1t was on
a plateau about 2,400 feet above sea
level. Mountains. like sentinels, sur
rounded it on all sides. In the early
'9O's it was about 80 miles from the
nearest railroad. Until a railroad reach
ed the place q foreigner had never been
seen by many of the town people. They
were typical southerners- given
to hospitality. Some of them hunted
great zeal with the OLD squirrel rifles
of Revolutionary war type. The Ten
nessee law forbade carrying revolvers
even unconcealed, or have such fire.
arms in the house. except the huge old
navy revolvers, which were also used
for hunting.
LAS to their hospitality: One time a
friend and I were on our way from
Mountain City to Bristol, where Tall
mage was to lecture We were riding
mules. One evening we stopped at
large farm house The people of the
house welcom i us and asked us for
all night, although we were strangers
When the lady of the house left us TO
get supper I saw a Bible open on a
table. A certain passage was marked.
1t was Hebrew 1872: BE not forgetful
to entertain strangers, for thereby some
have entertained angels una wares
BY the way, the school of which
was principal was built by the Ma
sonic order and the board was COM
posed of Masons. AS to the pupils,
there was not much difference; they
were much like Kansas pupils, just
as bright, perhaps however more po-
lite, but politeneSs is characteristic of
southerners, young or old.