Justice is sometimes slanted in a peculiar manner in the backhills. Things move from the sublime to the ridiculous in a singular way. Take the “bull trial” of the 1880’s. Old timers continue to talk and shake their heads over this famous trial. It is a tall tale from the windy hilltops and cannot be verified by persons still living!
A mountain farmer owned a bull that was no respecter of fences or persons. He was monarch of his domain and the best stake and rider fence in the country was no barrier to his invasions. Even the most modern fence on the more up to date farms was only a slight inconvenience to his migrations. He was the terror of the community and even his own despaired of controlling him. Finally, the bull invaded one too many cornfields. The enraged farmer, whose crop had been destroyed, swore out a warrant and had the animal arrested. The law brought his bellowing majesty to the shade of a large oak tree where the trial was held. The case against the bull was plain enough but the proceedings lasted almost all day. Lawyers threw aside their coats and pleaded for or against the aggressor. Witnesses swore, natives cursed, and the bull bellowed his displeasure. After careful deliberation, the jury found the animal guilty in a degree deserving punishment. The verdict rendered, the justice of the peace assessed fine and costs. Then came the puzzling question of payment. After considering the problem from all angles, the judge decided to butcher the animal and use the meat as payment. A barbecue followed with judge, jury, lawyers, witnesses and the general public taking part. It was a festive occasion but the old timers still shake their heads and say it was not a fair trial. They point out that the judge neglected to appoint an interpreter for the bull.