John Hansford
"Trot out the wicked and unfortunate, and let the cotillion commence." Thus court was opened by one Dodge City judge.
Not all judges faired as well as Isaac Parker and Roy Bean. In 1840 a Texas politician by name of Charles Jackson shot and killed Joseph Goodbread. Jackson only wanted to avenge a friend Goodbread had cheated, however, the murder touched off a four year war, spreading through five counties. At least fifty men were killed with burning, lynching and looting thrown on the side. Justice needed to be served.
Called in to serve as judge was District Court Judge John Hansford. As he took a look around the town of Pulaski, Texas, he saw 150 armed men, 20 of whom followed him to the courthouse. Also armed was the defendant Jackson. When Hansford fined the sheriff for allowing the defendant to be armed, Jackson was outraged. The sheriff happened to be the friend Jackson had committed murder for. Throwing his guns on the judge's bench, Jackson then demanded the trial begin.
Though Judge Hansford had gotten through the first day (even choosing a jury), he had second thoughts. He left a note with the sheriff saying he could no longer preside and ordered that court be adjourned the next day. Defendant Jackson was then given a mock trial, pleaded self-defense and was acquitted. Judge Hansford wasn't so lucky...a few days later, he was found shot to death a few miles outside Pulaski. It was wild and woolly in the days of the Republic of Texas!