Justice Of The Peace

I met a justice of the peace in Wyoming territory and saw two kinds of justice done. Frontier, gentlemen! Herewith an Englishman's account of life and death in the West.

As a reporter for the London Times, he writes his colorful and unusual stories. But as a man with a gun, he lives and becomes a part of the violent years in the new territories. Now starring John Dana, this is the story of J.B. Kendall.

Frontier, gentlemen. In the South Pass district of Wyoming territory, there is a mining settlement called Dry Creek. Kerry Chase, editor of the Cheyenne Daily Press, had mentioned the fact that a new justice of the peace had been appointed to Dry Creek.

This in itself was not particularly newsworthy, except for the fact that the JP was a woman. This is Amy Robinson, and as far as we could determine, one of the first of her sex to fill such an office in the United States.

Three hundred miles to the worst and a few days later found me in Dry Creek. I had expected to see the usual rip-roaring mining community and was surprised to find instead an atmosphere of complete contrast.

There was an oppressive quiet to the place. Small groups of men stood here and there, talking in low tones. causing as I walked by to stare at me suspiciously. Outside the Assayer's office I saw two miners coming out and stopped to ask them directions.

Strange around here, ain't you? Yes. How come you want to talk with the justice of the peace? Well, I should think that's the matter between the lady and myself. Hey, your friend, Mrs. Robinson? No.