Year: 1873

The readers of the SENTINEL who
live in Van Buren, County, and especial
ly those who have the good name Of this
village at heart, will be greatly chagrincd
to know that a South Haven murderer
cannot be punished, and that in high
places the crime of murder or attempt
to murder, on these streets is considered
next to nothing. Strange as this may
appear, twice within three short wears
has it been shown that the taking Of the
life Of one of our fellow citizens is con-
sidered less on the criminal calendar
than the pettiest of thefts The sentence
OF Cook 20 two years and half impris.
onment for the unproyOked murder of
John Heck was an insult to the law.
abiding citizens OF this entire County,
and one which aroused the just indigna.
tion Of the people Notwithstanding
this insult the people of South Haven
still determined to arrest and punish
their criminals, feeling the deep sting so
often hurled at them about crime walk
ing their streets unmolested To their
credit be ii said that they have done all
III their power to aid justice, and to them
cannot be attributed the defeat and ig.
noring of the law


At the January session Of the CIR
cult Court for this County, man was
on trial for assault with intent to kill
The crune vas committed in this village,
tie facts OF the decoyiug, threatening
and 5urroyoAed shooting being well
aoawa TO ,he people O. the County. Al
though neither OF the parties were citi-
zcus Of III. village, the citizens arrested
the prisoner and ,cnt him to the County
Jui. aua e. the BAR Of Justice c., feel
inE confident that no second insult would
be forced upon them as a community.
The pri, Jner was tried ami louad g.ulY
by the Jury, and sentenced by the
JuIgc who is placed il his position to
lphola the majesty ct the iaw-to tie
term of ONE YEAR IN the State Prison.


The sentence has aroused the inGiana.
tiou Of the people, and it will ba utter
folly for any attempt to be made 30 ex-
plain i; away The sentence of Dook
vas attributed 20 inspiration, aud this
latter one may also be, but we doubt
the proPrety Of a man holding the pcsi-
ton Of Judge Of any Circuit who is
inspired to consider chicken thief
greater criminal than murderer. There
are men who would look at such mat
ters IN a different light, and the general
opinion prevails in this section that some
such could be induced to accept the posi-
tion should the present incumbent resi- gn.


The effect OF such sentences will be
degeneratng to the morals Of society,
aud were the people to uphold their
Courts but short time would pass be.
fore iudiscrimiDate shooting would be
the manner of settling all petty differ
ences. Such state of things can be
avoided hy placing iu power only such
men as are known to have proper re-
gard for the law and the best interest of
society, and wlo will not be nt5uenced
or inspired 70 decide in favor Of crime.


There is no justiiable excuse for the
above sentence. Although it was not
murder, it lacked but the instant death
Of the victim, the leading physicians in
the County saying that he will yet die
from the effects of the wound. That
the shooting was unprovoked and with.
out any shadow of an excuse is apparent
to all who know the facts in the case,
and that the sentence was unjust is the
opinion OF the people of this section of
this County.