Hays in Ellis County, Kansas — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Judge Joyce’s Court
Hays City, Kansas
Photographed By Mark Hilton, August 1, 2016
1. Judge Joyce’s Court Marker
Inscription.
Judge Joyce’s Court. Hays City, Kansas. Marcellus E. Joyce, Union spy during the Civil War and well-known journalist of this day, presided from 1867 to 1868 as justice of the peace for most of the western Kansas. “Chief Justice” Joyce legends unanimously suggest that he frequently made bizarre interpretations of the law. When W.A. "Medicine Bill" Comstock, noted frontier scout, pleaded guilty to a murder charge in 1868, Joyce reportedly said he was a fool for admitting it and discharged him for lack of evidence. During the controversial period in 1869, when J.B. "Wild Bill" Hickok served as Ellis County Sheriff, Joyce again acted as Justice of the Peace and presided at the inquest over Sam Strawhim who Hickok killed on September 27, 1869. Joyce's courthouse stood on this site.
Marcellus E. Joyce, Union spy during the Civil War and well-known journalist of this day, presided from 1867 to 1868 as justice of the peace for most of the western Kansas. “Chief Justice” Joyce legends unanimously suggest that he frequently made bizarre interpretations of the law. When W.A. "Medicine Bill" Comstock, noted frontier scout, pleaded guilty to a murder charge in 1868, Joyce reportedly said he was a fool for admitting it and discharged him for lack of evidence. During the controversial period in 1869, when J.B. "Wild Bill" Hickok served as Ellis County Sheriff, Joyce again acted as Justice of the Peace and presided at the inquest over Sam Strawhim who Hickok killed on September 27, 1869. Joyce's courthouse stood on this site.
Erected by City of Hays Kansas Convention & Visitors Bureau.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Law Enforcement • War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1867.
Location. 38° 52.312′ N, 99° 19.867′ W. Marker is in Hays, Kansas, in Ellis County. Marker is on West 10th Street west of Main Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 107 West 10th Street, Hays KS 67601, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. “Dog” Kelley’s Faro House (here, next
2. Former location of Judge Joyce’s Courthouse. (Now a law firm)
Marker is the one on the left side.
Public Domain
3. Wild Bill Hickok
Credits. This page was last revised on November 19, 2019. It was originally submitted on August 5, 2016, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 447 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on August 5, 2016, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.