Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1874-10-09
Bob Gibbons +" Blind"

JUDeE SERvIs, the Associate Justice of
the First District Territorial Court of
Montana, is Justly celebrated for his
legal learning, and is greatly beloved by
his friends. He Is stern, upright and
honest. But with all his legal attain
ments he is not the greatest man at
cards in the Territory II has been said
that he did not know the jack of hearts
from the ace of diamonds.
In the Radersburg mining camp three
persons were sitting around table in
one of those log-cabin saloons, "with a
billiard-table attached" which are so
common in mining camps, playing a
small game of three-handed poker. A
quarrel ensued, which resulted in an ag-
gravated case of assault and battery.
This did not end the affair, for at the
next term of the court, at the head of
the docket stood the Territory of Mon
tana os A. l.. Parks, for an assault and
battery, with intent to kill, on the body
of Andy Anderson.
The trial came on, and the only wit
ness to the affray was Bob Gibbons, who
was the third in the game. Having been
sworn, he was directed to tell the court
and the jury everything he knew about
the affair After clearing his throat, he
commenced by stating that " Me and
Parks and Anderson were over at Har-
beck's saloon the second day after elec-
ton, when Parks proposed that we
should have game of poker. All agreed
to it, and we went in the back room and
sat down to the game; did not know that
there was any hard feeling between
Parks and Anderson or / would not
have played, but heard afterward--"
Here Bob was interrupted by the Court,
who directed him to keep all hearsays to
himself, and confine himself to the facts
of the case.
The witness continued: "Well we sat
down TO the table. Anderson sat there,
Parks here and l there (making dia-
gram on the Clerks table). Parks dealt
the cards; l went blind; Anderson went
blind over me, and Parks would not see
him."
The Judge, who is a little deaf, was in
the habit of making an ear trumpet of his
hand and throwing his head little for
ward and sideways. Having gone through
this little pantomime, he interrupted the
witness by asking him:
"What was the reason that Parks did
not see Anderson"
The witness replied al don't know,
but he would not see him"
Proceed" said the Judge.
We'll, l saw him, he saw, and just at
that minute"
Stop, sir" said the Judge, throwing
himself into heaging attitude. "Did
/ understand you to say that you went
blind?"
Yes, sir, went blind, and Anderson
he went blind, and Parks would not see
him, but l saw Anderson, and then he
saw
Witness" exclaimed the Judge,
striking the bench with his clenched fist,
do hear you right, sir Do you say
that you went blind, and then you saw"
Yes, sir" replied the witness. 81
saw Anderson and Anderson saw, and
just at that"
Stop, sir" said the Judge. Mr..
Clerk, fine. the witness fifty dollars for
contempt of court and direct the Sheriff
to take him to Jail and there keep him
until he receives further orders from the
Court. Call up the next case, Mr.. Clerk" "
Bob Gibbons was dumbfounded and
did not awake to the reality of his con-
dition until the Sheriff laid his hands on
him, when he exclaimed:
"Good gracious, Mr.. Judge, what have
done that must go to jail?"
The Judge, who was purple with rage,
did not deign to reply to poor Gibbons
but reiterated the order with increased
vehemence, and the members of the bar,
who had been anticipating the fix that
Bob would eventually be placed in, were
convulsed with laughter, which increased
the rage of the Judge to the highest
pitch. The prosecuting attorney en-
deavored to enlighten the Judge and
eventually succeeded, but not until he
had produced a pack of cards and after
dealing out three hands made the blind
as clear as day to the Judge.
The fine and Imprisonment were re.
mitted, order was restored in the court,
and Gibbons was allowed to proceed
with his testimony.-BrOok@yn Sunday
Sun.