The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1873-05-08

oner at once; but Gabe, who had been in.
tuitively accepted as leader, declared
that the fair name of the Rabbit Checkers
should not be furnished by acts Of lawless-
ness.
The prisoner, Notwithstanding that he
was bound hand and foot and entirely at
the mercy of his captors, was as cool and
collected as if he was seated behind his
gambling table, shutting cards for a. lot of
greenhorns. He would sneeringly address
those who were crying out for his life, and
say -
breaths. Yer can't hang me. faint in
the cards. wasn't born to he hung So
faint no use making fuss about SIGH a
little matter, and you'd he making money
if you'd stop botherin' me-"
"What makes you think there is no
danger of our hanging you" asked one of
those who had been stationed as guard
over the prisoner.
"'Cause when I was born'd, the stars
showed signs that was to be drowned"
May be the stars will fail"
"They can't. They have shone in the
heavens ever since the creation, and will
remain there until the end of time; so it's
lulpOSS1UlC tncll 10 ldll.
well see about it after while"
The question of how the prisoner should
be tried was difficult one to settle. There
was no regularly instituted court nearer
than Marysville, and to send him there and
await the laws delays would cost too
much money, occupy too much time, and
ing merited punishment. After the sub
ject had been thoroughly canyassed in all
its bearings, it was decided to organize a
court, and have the trial take place imme.
diately. Gabe Husker was chosen Judge.
another miner sheriff, jury was then Sc.
iec :.,u to try the prisoner, and sworn by
best of their abilities. A person who had
witnessed the shooting volunteered to act
as prosecuting attorney; and gambler
sent for to appear and conduct the defense.
In response to the summons the latter
entered the room where the court was be-
ing held, and seated himself beside the
prisoner. His eyes no sooner rested on the
faces of those chosen as jurors, than he
felt that the fate of his client was decided,
and though he laborcd never so hard he
would be unable to accomplish anything.
The preliminaries having been arranged,
Judge Husker took seat upon the table,
and directed the sheriff to declare the
court open for business.
ooh, yes! Oh, yes! All We are hereby
notified that this court is now open for the
trial of David Chadwick for the high
crime of murder. All assembled will take
notice, and govern themselves according
ly," cried the sheriff.
A few moments of confusion followed
this announcement, during which the
crowd endcavored to secure seats or favor
able positions from which to observe the
proceedings. Silence having been Sc
cured, the Judge said:
This ere honorable court IS now open
for the trial Of a person accused of the
murder of human being. l find myself
in pecoOliar situation, and must own that
| have some misgivings of my ability to
discharge the duties Of that position. But
I'll try my level best to be equal to the Oc-
casion. We are away up here in the
whar we hain't got no Cali
fOrny law, therefore propose to put it to
a vote whether we shall try the prisoner
by lynch law or Missoury law. l hold in
my hand a copy of the constitution and
by-laws of the State Of Missoury, which
are good enough law for me, and ought to
be good enough for any one. 1t will look
better abroad eff we try the prisoner by
real law than by lynch law, consequently
I'm in favor of usin Missoury law on this
trial but having been elected Judge by
you, shall be governed entirely by your
decision"
Your head is level, you bet, Judge"
cried one of the spectators.
Now all that is in favor of trying the
prisoner by Missoury law say yes" con-
tinued his honor
A tremendous 'yes' went up from the
Threats of the assembled multitude, the
prisoner voting in the affirmative, and
saying;
law, cause you see real law has restrain
in influence onto the Jurors"
you have decided that this trial shall
be governed by real law" continued the
court. II think it would be dom the neat
thing eff some one would heft up prayer
as sort o. starter. Eff any of you have
had experience in that way, / hope you
won't be backward about volunteerin'.
Tom Rayburn, yer father was an old pray
er fighter; can't you give us hefts"
mo, thank you, Judge; the old man
consumed all the prayer that was in our
family, and didn't leave any for his boys
"Bill Gillian, you used to tend meetin'
afore you come to Californy, what do you
say"
"Raly, Gabe, yer honor, eff yer please, 1
don't feel ekal to the work."
After calling upon several others with
like results, Gabe kelt down and offered
up fervent but homely petition to the
Throne of Grace for guidance during the
trial. He prayed that the hearts Of the
jurors might be softened towards the &C
cused, SO that they might judge the prison
er at the bar justly, and deal with him
rightly. He pleaded for courage to per-
form the disa greeable duty that had been
imposed on him, and closed with an APP
peal for mercy for him whose hands were
yet warm with the blood of a fellow being
II say, Judge, let's have something to
drink afore we go any furder with this
ere show" said the prisoner; that long
prayer of your'n has made me feel as dry
as Undertook"
"Well, l don't keer eff do take little
tarantaler juice, just to make things run
smooth" replied the court
The Sheriff, without waiting for orders,
FASTENED to fetch the liquors and some
glasses from the bar. His Honor and the
prisoner took drink together, the latter
saying:
II drink to the success of your show;
now 60 ahead and get through with this
dern nonsense. l want to get back to my
game"
The Sheriff was going to remove the
bottle, when his honor stopped him, say
ing: ''This ere will probably be trying
work, and I guess you had better leave the
Ticker; | may want some more of it''
The trial was then commenced and con-
Quoted with perfect fairness, number of
witnesses testifying to the shooting; in
fact, the prisoner himself declared to the
jury that he had killed the miner, and
gave as reason for having done so, that
he had fooled everybody by putting on
woman's clothing, exciting their curiosity,
and swindling those engaged in the race,
For his part he thought "any dern skunk
as would humbug whole mining camp
deserved to have bullet-hole bored
through his diafram."
After the testimony had been taken, the
case was summed mn in short snpeches hv