The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1874-10-07
Bob Gibbons "Blind."
A SKETCH OF FRONTIER LIFE-A JUDGE
WHO WAS MANIFESTLY UNQUALIFIED
FOR HIS DISTRICT.

If Montana, is justly celebrated for
lis legal learning, and is greatly be-
owed by his friends. He is stern,
UPRIGHT and honest. But with all his
egal attainments be 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 Radersburg Mining Camp
three persons were sitting around a
table in one of those log cabin sa-
looms, "with billiard table attach
ed" 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 as
sault 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 ARRAY was Bob Glib
bons. 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 commenced by
stating that me and Parks, and An
derson were over at Hallbeck's sa
loon, the second day after election
when Parks proposed that we should
have game of poker. All agreed t.
it, and we went in the back room ant
sat down to the game; did not know
that there was any hard feeling be
tween Parks and Anderson, or woult
not have played, but heard after
wards"
Here Bob was interrupted by tn
court, who directed him to keep al
hearsay to himself, and confne him
self strictly to the facts of the case
The witness continued: "Well, W
sat down to the table. Anderson sa
there, Parks here, and [ there max
ing diagram on the clerks table
. Parks dealt the cards; l went blind
Anderson went blind over me an
Parks would not see him."
The Judge, who is little dea
was in the habit of making an e;
trumpet of his hand, and THROWN
his head little forward and sid
ways. Having gone through tn
pantomime, he interrupted the wi
ness by asking him:
"What was the reason that parl
did not see Anderson"
The witness replied: II don
know, but he would not see him."
"Proceed," said the Judge.
"WelI. I saw him, he saw me, 81
;. lust at that minute"
"Stop, sir" said the Judge, thro
ing himself into hearing attitut
, ''Did / understand you to say tn
- you went blind?"
Eyes, sir, l went blind, and And'
son he went blind and Parks wou
not see, but l saw Anderson, and
=, saw"
"Witness," exclaimed the Jud.
, striking the bench with his clench
- fist, "Do I hear you right, sir?
you say that you went blind and th
you sawT'
eyes, sir" replied the witness.
saw Anderson, and Anderson IS
IS and just at that"
lis "Stop, SIR said the Judge. g,
Clerk, fine the witness $50 for e
n tempt of court, and direct the she
to to take him to jail, and there to k'
him until he receives further ord
Oh from the Court. Call up the N
Oh case, MIR. Clerk"
Bob Gibbons was dumbfound
, h and did not awake to the reality
ay his condition until the sheriff !
his hands on him, when he
'es claimed:
nj "Good gracious, Mr.. Judge, w
have I done, that must 60 to jai
Gu The Judge, who was purple v
0" rage, did not deign to reply to
Gibbons, but reiterated the OF
vi with increased vehemence, and
his members of the bar, who had b
anticipating the fix that Bob VIC
red eventually be placed in, were con
ac- sed with laughter, which incre'
the rage of the Judge to the hig1
ro- pitch. The prosecuting attorney
to deavored to enlighten the Judge,
after dealing out three hands, n
H., the blind as clear as day to the