Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1882-09-11
THE COUNTY SEAT BUSINESS.

THE COUNTY SEAT BUSINESS.
Some alarm was occasioned in this
city, yesterday, by the receipt of let
tiers from Boise stating that r. z.
johnson and Houston & Gray, who
have had charge of the Haley side of
the case in the county seat fight from
the beginning, refused to have any
thing more to do with the case unless
they were paid the sum Of $500, in
addition to what they had already re-
oeived. These letters were written
from Boise on the day preceding that
on which the appeal taken by Bellevue
was to be heard in the Supreme
Court at that place. 1t was conse.
quently too late to do anything, and
it was generally supposed that the
case had gone by default, and been
decided in favor Of Bellevue. The
matter soon became the general SUBJ
ject of conversation among our citi-
zens.s Great Indignation was express
ed BY some at the supposed bad faith
Of the attorneys named, while others
denounced the old town company,
and excused Messrs. Johnson, Hous-
ton and Gray. The more they talked,
the more they became excited, and
from words some would have passed
to blows had not bystanders interfered.
BY the afternoon mail another letter
was received stating that the writer
and another gentleman well known in
HALEY, hearing of the ultimatum of
Messrs. johnson, Houston s. GRAY,
had paid, or guaranteed the payment,
OF the $500 demanded, and that these
attorneys then went into the Supreme
Court, and requested that the hearing
of the appeal be postponed until the
afternoon, and that in the afternoon
they had replied to the arguments of
the Bellevue attorneys, after which
the ease had been taken under advise
ment.
AZ the above would reflect upon
the people of HALEY, as indicating
their refusal to pay their LAWYERS fees,
it is proper to state the facts in this
connection, Is understood here.
AT the outset of this fight, Hon.
John Haley, as one of the members
Of the town company, retained R. Z.
johnson and Houston & Gray as coun-
sell This he did of his own move
ment, and without consulting las far
IS publicly known) with single citi-
zen of Haley. All the attorneys in
HALEY volunteered their services, in
behalf Of the people Of this city. This
was at the time understood to be all
that would be required from the peo-
pie Of HALEY. But demand soon
came for 600 for something or other
in connection with the case-which
amount was promptly forthcoming;
during the last term of court Messrs
johnson and Houston asked for $3.50.
This was also raised and paid over;
and it was supposed to be the last
claim that these attorneys had against
the people Of HALEY. Had a differ
ent opinion. been entertained, tho
amount required would undoubtedly
have been raised.
The consideration known to have
been received by the three attorneys
named for their services in this case
u believed, in view of the poverty of
the town and the comparative unim-
portance Of the point involved. to be
ample. But, however that may be,
here it is:
r. z. johnson was given lot No.
70 in Block 80 Lawyers Row. and
lots 2, 8, and 9, in block SO. These
lots are certainly worth $50 each.
Jos. Houston was given lots l, 2,
3, 1, s, end 8. in block 59-which are
also worth all of $3.50 each.
John Gray was given lot "a, in
block 81. AT tho time it was given
him, the lot could have been sold for
1900. 1t has appreciated in value
since thea.;
Mr.. Gray never appeared in the
case.
In addition to the gift Of the lots
ADORE mentioned, the Town Company
paid $3.50 for witness fees and travel.
iag expenses. This included board
and fooAm-rent Of two attorneys dur.