People's Pilot, Volume 6, Number 33, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 February 1897 — Took the Law Literally. [ARTICLE]

Took the Law Literally.

A very ignorant but well to do c.itizen from the backwoods was elected coroner of a small county. A fey days after his election he amazed the ordinary by asking that functionary to point out his duties for him. “Why,” said the ordinary, “when a man drops dead, or is killed by an engine, or blown up with dynamite, yon simply impanel a jury and sit on him and then render a verdict. ” ‘ ‘That’s jest what I done two hours ago, ” said the coroner, “an the citizens air kickinl” “Kickin about what?” ‘ ‘The man what I sot on. ” “Well?” “Well, you see, hit wuz this away: He drapped by the railroad thar an hollered out, ‘Boys, "I’m dead I’ ” “Well?” “I wuz standin within three feet of him, an as he hollered them words I jumped him.” “Jumped him?” “I mean sot on him, jest like the coroners air required by law, an, as £ weigh right smart, he kep’ party quiet after I landed. ” “But he was dead before you reached him, wasn’t he?” “Thar’s whar the question comes in. Ain’t but one thing erbout it that’s shore an certain, an that is he wuz dead when I got up!”—Atlanta Constitution.