THE dispensation of justice usually is associated with 

 palatial edifices, solemn-faced judges, and an attentive, 

 interested audience. The following is a true account of 

 the proceedings at a justice's court in a case entitled "J. W. 

 vs. The State of Minnesota," held in the open air. 



During the latter part of the month of June, 1912, the heat 

 was almost torrid, particularly in the northern part of the 

 state. Such intolerably hot weather accompanied by high 

 winds, recalled very vividly the conditions that preceded the 

 serious forest fires of 1910. There was one great difference, 

 however, which gave the inhabitants of that part of the state 

 a feeling of greater security; it was the presence of an organ- 

 ized field force, whose business it was to prevent, if human 

 agency can prevent, such catastrophes like that which devas- 

 tated the villages of Baudette and Spooner on the fateful 

 night of October 7, 1910. 



Some Persons From Sheer Cussedness Will Not Abide by 

 Provisions of the State Laws. 



In all walks of life there are some people who by heredity 

 or "sheer cussedness" find it impossible to abide by the laws 

 of society, and therefore it is only natural that there are peo- 

 ple who find it, or imagine they do so, impossible to abide by 

 the provisions of the forest laws. The country along the 

 Northern boundary, much of which was burned over during 

 1910, presents a serious fire menace in times of continued 

 droughts. Despite the vigilance of the field force, columns 

 of smoke are observed by the rangers and patrolmen from 

 the tall lookout towers, which, like sentinels, are dotted over 

 the coniferous part of Minnesota. Oftimes, the fires from 

 which this smoke ascend are extinguished before the arrival 

 of a forest officers, and sometimes the fire is extinguished 

 after a stubborn fight by a hastily summoned crew. With 

 the coming of night, accompanied by a lull in the wind, and 

 a lowering of temperature, hope revives in the hearts of fire- 

 fighters, who redouble their efforts with a corresponding 

 measure of success. 



During two weeks this condition of affairs continued in 

 1912, the rangers and patrolmen were kept busy. Fires were 



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