Democratic Sentinel, Volume 8, Number 24, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 July 1884 — A Remarkable Case. [ARTICLE]

A Remarkable Case.

A rather peculiar case of murder in the first degree was tried by a Justice of the Peace whose jurisdiction lies along the river below Little Bock. A wellknown planter named Milton became invok ed in a quarrel with a halfSpaniard, half-negro man, known as Bad Jim. Words of uncomplimentary definition were exchanged, and Bad Jim, drawing a knife, rushed at Milton, who, expecting an attack, jumped backward, drew his pistol, and fired, just having time enough to level the weapon between himself and the assailant. The ball struck Bad Jim in the forehead, just above the eye, and so close was he th*t the flash of the powder burned his face. The planter surrendered himself, telling the negro officer that he had killed a m n, and related in detail an account of the affair. The day for trial was appointed, and when Milton appeared before the negro Justice of the Peace he learned that he was charged with murder in the first degree. “This case is beyond your jurisdiction,” he said to the magistrate. “You can only bind me over to appear before the Grand Jury.” “De cou’t ain’t axed fur yer ’pinion in de case, prisoner at de bar. De ’dictment says murder in de fust degree, and dat’s de way I’se gwine ter try yer.” Just then Bad Jim entered the courtroom. The ball had flat! ened against his skiill, passed under the skin over the top of the head, and come out at the back of the neck. “Come right in,” said the Judge. “I’se glad ter see yer, fur yer’s a mighty ’portant witness in dis heali case. Go on wid de testimony, gennermen." “Your Honor,” remarked Milton, arising, “the appearance of this man shows conclusively that I did not commit murder of any kind, and, after all, you can only arraign .me for assault with intent to kill.” “I tells yer dat I neber axes de prisoner at de bar whut his ’pinion ’o de law is. De ’ditement says murder in de fust degree, an’ dat’s de way we’se boun’ ter try yer. Go on wid de testimony, gennermen.” “Judge, I never heard of such a case,” said a lawyer. “A man to testify that he has been murdered in the first degree, is something which finds no parallel in history.” “Whut’s dat? Parallel. Mr. Clerk, enter up er fine o’ ten dollars agin de gennermaa. fur contempt o’ dis cou’t. We’ll rule out Had Jim’s statement. Go on wid de testimony, gennermen. ” After a close examination of the witnesses and elaborate arguments by the lawyers, the jury rendered a verdict of guilty.

“Prisoner at de bar,” said the magistrate in a voice of deep solemnity, “yerse’f hab been tried by a jury o’ yer countryman an’ hab been foun’ guilty o’ murder in de fust degree. I’se sorry fur yer. When a man starts out in dis wori’ wid good prospects, it am de might blow ter be cotch up by de law an hung. I’se sorry fur yer. Let us pray. Lawd, yer serbants hab met yer ter-day on er mighty solmn ’casion, an’ myse’f, whut am de jedge, an’ doan’ lose sight o’ dat sack, Lawd, am mighty sorry fur dis man. Amen. Prisoner at de bar, dis cou’t sentences yer ter be hung de fust Friday in naixt week. De cou’t is sorry fur yer, but dar kain nothin’ be dun ter sabe yer.” “Judge,” said the prisoner, “I am sorry, much more so than you can possibly be. I have always had great respect for you and hoped to live to see you on the supreme bench of the State. I was talking to the Governor some time ago, and we agreed that you should be our Chief Justice, and that we would work for that purpose. After I am dead, I am afraid that the Governor will have to battle alone. ” “HoT on, prisoner at de bar, an’ lemme ax de Lawd a ’portant question. Lawd, mus’l turn dis man er loose? De Lawd, say yas. Prisoner at de bar, dis cou’t changes its ’cision. Yerse’f is a free white man. Mr. Constable, arres’ Bad Jim on er charge er interferin’ wid dis cou’t. Good-ebenin’, gennermen. De cou’t’s gwine ter git suthin’ ter eat. ” —Arkansaw Traveler.