Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-11-14
BoR GIBBONS ~BLEND.' >


Judge Servis, the Associate Justice ofthe
First DistFict TefTitgFial Court Of M0nta-
na, is Justly celebrated for his legal learn
ing, and is greatly beloved by his friends.
He is stern, upright and honest. But with
all his legal attainments he is not the great
est man at cards in the Territory. 1t has
been said that he did not know the jack of
hearts from the ace Of diamonds.
In the Radershurg mining camp, three
persons were sitting around table in one
of those log g-cabin saloons, "with billiard
table attached which are so common in
mining camps, playing a small game Of
three-hand poker. A quarrel ensued, which
resulted in an aggravated 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
Montana vs.. 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 witness
to the affray was Bob Gibbons, who was
the third in the game. Having been
sworn, he was directed to tell the court
and jury everything he knew about the
affair. After clearing his throat, he COM
meneed by stating that "me aud Parks and
Anderson were over at Halbeck's saloon
The second day after the election, when
Parks proposed that we should have game
of poker. Ali agreed to it, aud we went
into the back-roOm and sat down TO the
game; did not know there was any hard
feelings between Parks and Anderson, or
would not have played, but heard after
wards"
Here Bob was interrupted by the
court, who directed him to keep all
hearsays 10 himself, and coufine himself
strictly TO the facts of the case.
The witness continued: swell, we sat
down TO the table. Anderson sat there,
Parks here and There (making diagram
on the clerks table). Parks dealt the
cards; | went blind; Anderson went blind
over me, and Parks would not see him."
The Judge, who is little deaf, was in
the habit Of making an ear-trumpet Of his
hand, and throwing his head a little for
ward and sideways. Having gone through
this pantOmime, he interrupted the witness
by asking him:
"What was the reason that Parks did not
see Anderson"
The witness replied: 81 don't know, hut
he would not see him."
proceed" :" said the Judge.
sWell, saw him, he saw, and just at
that minute"
sStop, sir said the Judge, throwing
himself in a hearing attitude, "did under
stand you to say that you went blind?"
aYes, sir, | went blind, and Anderson
he went blind, and Parks would not see
him, but | saw Anderson, and then he
saw
"Witness," exclaimed the Judge, striking
the bench with his clenched fist, ''dO L
hear you right, sir2 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. sMr. Clerk,
fine the witness so for contempt of court,
and direct the Sheriff to take him to Jail,
and there to 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 condition
until the Sheriff had his hands on him,
when he exclaimed:
"GOod gracious, Mr.. Judge, what have L
done that must go to jail?"
The judge, who was purple with rage,
did not deign to reply to poor Gibbons, INT
reiterated the order with increased vehe-
mence, and the members Of the bar, who
had been anticipating the fix that Bob would
eventually be placed in, were eOnvulsed
with laughter, which increased the rage Of
the Judge TO the highest pitch. The Pros
eeuting Attorney endeaEOred TO enlighten
the Judge, and eventually succeeded, but
not until he had produced pack of cards,
and, after dealing out three hands, made the
blind as clear as day 10 the Judge.
The fine and Imprisonment were remit
ted. and Gibbons was allowed to proceed
with his testimony.