The daily Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1854-1855, 1855-01-13
Reported for the Daily. Iioneer
JUSTICES COURT.
[ mted States rs. Wills A. German.

nited States u.s. Wills A. German.
This was an action brought before Or
LANDo SMoNns, City. Justice, for an alleged
assault and battery committed 10y defendant
upon F. E., COLLINS, on tie afternoon of
the 9th inst at the residence OF the de-
fendaut. or 80 sf.. .... -..,.....~,.
D. w. G. Cooley, and j. b. Brisbin.
Attorneys for Plaintiff; NJ E. .Ames and
Aaron Goodrich, Attorneys for Defendant.
The following gentlemen were empanel-
ed as a jury:-R. G. Knox, B. Galloway,
VIM Brewster, B. Presley, p Heldhausen.
James NJ Winslow.
The case was opened by d. w. C.
Cooley, after which the following witnesses
were examined for Plaintiff =
F. f. Collins, SarOrn:-On the afternoon of
the 9th, | called at the residence of Gov. Cor
man in company with Mr.. Parker, who | ask
ed to 60 with me; knocked at the front door, but
was told it could not be opened on account of
the inclemency of the weather, and was invi-
ted around to the side door, where we gained
admission. Introduced MIR. Parker. Were
well received until l asked him in reference to
paying the claim hold against him for 500
Asked him if he did not agree that if the De
partment refused to pay me that amount he
would. He denied it, and stated the Depart
ment considered my charge exhorbitant. !
asked him if he had not promised me to write
the Department urging the business Of my
claim and using his influence in procuring its
allowance, and show his letter to me. He said
his letter book was at his office, if | wished
to see his letters relative to this matter to cx-
anime it. He denied the business of the ac-
count and said he had no confidence in me- !
retaliated by saying that was my position in
regard to him. He then ordered me to leave
his house; but as l rose from my chair to do
so, he rushed at me and struck me once and |
think twice and knocked me down. Mr.. Par
ker got between us and tried to separate U.s.
Governor raised chair, and told him if he did
not get out of the way he would strike him.
Hearing the noise, some ladies came into the
room where we were, about this time. Was
sorry the difficulty happened in the Governors
house.
Cross Er0mined-Told Mr. Parker before
going to the Governors, that had no inten-
ton to do anything ungentlemanly, or to kick
up row; but would not be blufed off, Told
MIR. Cakes on the morning of the 9th, that l
would sue the Governor. if he did not pay me-
Might have told MIR. Parker l was going to
thrash Governor German if he acted as usual
to me, can't say did or did not. Don't know
what remarks l made in my store in reference
to the matter. Stated was going to demand
my money, and that if the Governor struck
me would retaliatc. Went to Governors at
about =. NJ. Mr.. Parker and my clerk
were in the store. Parker went with me at
my request. Told my clerk to make out the
bill against the Governor, as | was going to
collect it. Might have talked to others in
reference to the matter in my store. Spoke TO
Mr.. Chas Ii. Ga cs, in the morning about it.
The day before, talked to Geo. Cakes about it.
Do not remember having spoken to Judge
Goodrich in reference to the matter Spoke
to MIR. Marvin before going. Had a CONVEX
satiOn with b. w. Brunson about it on the
morning of the 9th Told him If the Cover
nor struck me, | should retaliate. Did not ask
him to 60 with me-tOld him if the Governor
struck or abused me would retaliate That
was all | said. Did not say l was going to
take u pistol with me- Said if lie struck me
or treated me as usual, would thrash him.
The Governor never before struck me. Told
Mr.. BrunsOn | would thrash the Governor if
he abused me. AT tits time had no intention
of going to the Governors house. Said moth
ing about taking any weapon with me. Met
Capt. DOdd at the steps of the Copitol; asked
him if the Governor was in his office Don't
recOllect any further conversation with him.
Don't think told Dodd that | was going to
the Governors to give him hell-might or
might not have told him so. Don't think |
had a conversation with Mr.. Uenniss before
going up to the Governor might or might
not. Don't recollect that | told Mr.. Henniss
that / was going to cow-hide the Governor
might or might not have told him SO. Was
as sober as am now. Had not drank more
liquor than usual
If was drunk then, I am drunk now. Had
conversation with j. G.. Ramsey. Don't re-
collect what said to him. Did not tell him
was going up to the Governors to whip him.
The Governor said my language was insulting
to him and must not talk so in his own house.
He said if wanted to see him to go to his
office, l told him had already been there
three or four times that day. He said he had
just left his Office and had come to dinner. The
Governor did not tell me must stop or leave
his house then. 1t was when he said he had
no confidence in me, and told him had the
same opinion of him. Saidmy language was
insulting. Told him | had come for my rights.
The Governor might have said it was indeli-
cate in me to say he lied before his family
Told him l wanted my money and had come
for it. Governor said he had not promised me
$lOO. l told him he had. He said my dear
fellow you are mistaken. Told him | would
swear to it, Told him my word would be ia
ken as far as his. He said the conversation
must stop. Told me l must leave his house.
Was sitting on q chair when struck, | sun
posed he was going to take me by the collar
and drag me out, but he strutk me with his
fist. Governor raised chair at Mr. Parker.
Re-Eramined by Prosecution.-Ead no idea when
he came towards me he was going to strike. Did
not resist. N.Y. hands were in my pockets When /
rose from tie chair 1t was to leave the house.