The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1880-01-24
Rural Happenings.


SANDWICH, Ills, Jan. 20 during his alb
sence last Friday, a deputation of Sandwich
ers, headed by DeputySherif E. X. Freeland,
took possession of Police Magistrate Mont
gomery's office. City Marshal A. III. Hill en-.
tered complaint against the mayor, julie NJ.
fIummcl charging that he had attempted the
life of jim Bibbs The complaint was made
before this Mr.. Frceland. Jim Bbbs Is a col.
Orcd gentleman who ran for mayor against
IIummel at our last election, and was badly
beaten. The defeat caused anmosty on the
part of Jim and hard feelings on the part of
Hummel Well, Freeland issued the warrant
The City Marshal arrested Hummel and
brought him into Court. julie wanted to con-
tinue the case. NO continuance" was the
prompt reply of the Court. 81 want to have
this suit put off, and I'll give ball." SAID julie.
"rhis Court don't take bail, nor put off suits !;
prepare for trial" said the Court, with tone
of iron "Give me a change of venue; will
make the necessary oath" demanded julie. But
the Court, modern Jefries quoted him down
with a frown, replying at this Court knows
be changed" julie thought he'd take n jury.
All right; the Court and City Marshal thought
he'd need one and had one on hand already
picked Tor the occasion julie DIDN'T take that
jury Trial proceeded The facts developed
were about as follows: Hummel had frequent.
y promised the Sandwich hunters that he
would go cut with them on lark, but for some
reason always failed to 60. Dec. 81 julie had
assured the hunters that Immediately after
breakfast "hcd accompany them to the Schei-
decker woods, IN Worthwhile, on grand hunt"
Among the persons who took In the hunt was
Bibbs, ex-candidate for mayor. The mayor
didn't hunt for rabbits with the boys that day
but took in a hunt for a bride in the Michigan
forests. The wagon and team had been turn.
ished the boys by the mayors direction. Short
" after starting the king-bolt was missing the
wagon collapsed and the hunters promiscOusly
sought the ground, to the severe injury of Hon.
James Bibbs, colored ex-candidate, &c. The
proof showed plot on Jules pant to get rid
of Bibbs; get him out of the way" so as to
speak. Ever and anon during the trial the de-
PENDANT objected to witnesses giving their opin-
ions of his intentions. The prosecuting attor-
ney, Hon. j. ID. Kern, eXSheriff of Kendall
county, always submitted such questions and
say that the Court always knew the Kernel
was kerect.
| Fearing the case was a little weak, the Mar.
shall called Il few experts to one side, drilled
them thoroughly on necessary evidence, etc.
and the way they spoke their little pieces"
was grand.
BY and bye Jules turn came. James Brewer
testified to "the truth, the whole truth" etc.
and of course he was frightened a little to see
his friend confronted with SO many men who
he inwardly knew were lying, while he, poor
one, was almost powerless to confront them.
While the mayor was telling his little story,
the most crowded audience Of eager listeners
that ever filled a Sandwich courtroom, all |
wild with excitement, were gulping down ev-
cry word he uttered. He had proceeded but a |
short distance when, 81 object" came ringing
from kerns korner. whats your objection ?"
querled the witness. ale is impeaChing our |
witnesses, your honor, and the law won't al. |
low it," responded the objcctor
"The objection Is well taken; this Court will |
never allow you to impeach the best men in |
our city. Why, Mr.. Hummel, five or six un. |
Improbable men have already testified against
you, and can't for IA moment allow you to in
jure yourself by trying to break 'em down. No
sir eel! Get down from your high boss, Mr.
mayor. and come to fax"
The newly married mayor attempted to con.
tinue his story, but failed ANONYMOUSLY. The
audience pitied and cried for him. 1t was hard
to tell whether he suffered most from the ar
rest, his failure To have got away that nigqer, !
or being bulldozed by an ofiicious Court.
The evidence being concluded, his honor
very gravely remarked mir Hummel you
have been permitted the fullest legal trial
known; every chance to prove yourself limo
cent has been granted and you didn't come in
mile OF it, You have had fair and impair
tial examination, and you dare not deny it,
The Court finds you guilty of the crime as
charged, and our, no my judgment Is, sir. that
you be compelled to furnish the oysters for all
the hunters you got after; and that you give
your worthy colored ex.competitor an extra
dish and that you stand committed to the CITY
lookup until this fine Is paid
In vain did the defendant plead that the
Court would show him mercy. That Court