New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-10-18
4 COWBOP'S UNFORTUNATE AIM.
arizona Correspondence Of me Patt1d lDate Times

arizona Correspondence Of The Phh1d ,IDhtG Times.
Arizona Is full Of cowboys. Some of them
are outlaws OF the description. 1t common
thing eight or ten Of these cuthroats to ride into
California City, enter saloon present pistol to the
out. AS the fiery element warmed them up they would
:" stag dance" Each fellow would select a partner
from among the crowd, the musician would start up the
tho leader would call out Forward four" and the
dance commenced. When the figure balance to your
partners" was reached, many fellow would cut the
geOn-wing" his partner not to be Outdone would
Indulge In fantastic steps, which would do credit
to the most famed cogdancer on the minstrel boards
In height OF this revery would be gin fsade from
revOlyers Bang! bang! bang! aud above the din the
ner. PROMENADE all" The first figure being finished
every fellow would begin to look at the heels of his
boot where the bullets went The result would
disclose that large majority had been hit about the
heel with bullet. This practice OF shooting at the
heels of ones boots Is common among the cowbows,
aud accurate they Ill their aim that accident
seldom occurs Shooting the heels off aEother's
boots is a common recreation with them.
On the occasion OF one these "stag uances" cow
boy who had recently joined the gang participated in
the fusilade On an examination at the close OF the
first figure Of the members found to be shot
through the foot The festivities were suddenly stopped
The leader announced that an investigation would
once begin TO ascertain the guilty party mock court
was convened. Curly BIZ" was selected for judge
Crone was made sheriff. Tom Harper chosen clerk.
The sheriff arrested the new member as the guilty party
prosecuting attorney chosen, and the court
signed counsel defend the prisoner. In few
the prosecuting attorney handed the clerk the indict
men and the court ordered the clerk to read 1t to the
prisoner who was commanded TO stand up. The clerk
did as he ordered and this was the document lie
We the undersigned. grand jurors for tie county Of
Cocnise In the Territory OF Arizona do find Joe Palmer
guilty Of felony In having wounded Abe Saunders in the
foot In attempting TO shoot the heel of OF SAID Saunderss
boot while said saunders cut the pigeon wing" in hg
ure next 10 the last the first Set the stag dance
held in California City, in said Territory Oh Saturday
night, June 20, 1881
The Court-Guilty not guilty
PrsOner-NOt guilty.
Cour-The trial viii proceed. Sheriff, call the Jury
All the formay OF selecting Jury, the taking OF tes-
timOny and the cross animation by was
through with No detail OF ordinary trial at was
omitted. Finally the case submitted to the Jury
who, after few minutes consultation announced that
they had agreed upon verdict
The CouTt-Gentlemen, have you agreed upon a
verdict
Foreman OF the jury-Wc have your Honor
The COurt-CleTk, read the verdict.
The foreman Of the jury hands the clerk a paper.
Clerk reads:
We undersigned jurors do find the prisoner guilty
charged.
Zoe Palmer" said the judge, "stand up Joe Palmer,
the Jury OF your peers having found you guilty OF u
henOus offence, 10 becomes the duty OF this Court
pronounce sentence upon you You have had "A far
aud impartial trial. Able counsel defended you. There
is nothing but for the Court TO pronounce sentence.
The sentence OF the Court is that you be taken
San Simon Valley and between daybreak and sunrise be
executed Sheriff, take charge OF the prisoner"
The next morning the sentence was carried Into exc
cution and Palmer was shot.
Curly Bill" in speaking of this aiterward, remarked
that worthy TO associate with residents OF
San Simon who could not shoot the heel oil fellows
boot while he danced.