Arizona weekly citizen., 1882-10-29
A Cowboys Unfortunate Aim.
Philadelphia Times.

Arizona IS full of cowboys. Some oi them are outlaws of the worst descrIp. ton. It was a common thing for eIght or ten of these cut-throats to ride into California City, ,nter saloon, present pistol to the bar-keeper's head and de- mand that the liquors be set out. As the fiery element warmed them up they would often secure a violin or banjo and improvise a regular ''stag dance" Each fellow would select a partner fro ID among the crowd, the musicians would start the Arkansas Traveller" or some other familiar tune, and the leader would call out Forward four" and the dance commenced. When the figure "balance to your partners" was reached many a fellow would "cut the pigeon wlpg," and his partner, not to be out done, would indulge in some fantastic steps. which would do credit to the most famed clog dancer on the minstrel boards. In the height of this revelry would begin fusilade from revoly CTS. Bang bang! bangi and above the din the leader would be heard calling out: Turn your partners; promenade all The first figure being finished every fel- low would begin to lock at the heels of his boots to see where the bullets went. The result would disclose that large majority had been hit about the heel with a bullet. This. practIce of shooting at the heels of ones boots IS common among the cow boys, and so accurate are they iu their aim Shat an accident seldom occurs. Shoo ting the heels off one another's boots is a common recreation with them.
 On the occasion of one these "stsg dances" a cowboy who had recently joined the gang participated in the fusllade. On an examination at the close of the first figure one of the mem bers was found to be shot through the foot. The festivities were suddenly stopped. The leader announced that an investigation would at once begin to ascertain the guilty party. 4 mock court was convened. "Curly Bill' was selected for judge. Crone was made sheriff. Tom Harper was chosen clerk. The sheriff arrested the new member as the guilty party. \ prosecuting attor- ney was chosen, and the court assigned counsel to defend the prisoner. In few moments the prosecuting attorney handed the clerk the indictment, and the court ordered the clerk to read It to the prisoner, who was commanded to stand up. The clerk did as he was ordered and this was the document he read:
 We, the undersigned grand jurors for the county of COchiss, 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 sad Saunders boot while said Saunders lent the pigeon-wing," Tn figure next to the last, in the first set, at the 'stag dance" held in California City, Tn said Territory. on Saturday night, June 20, 1881.
 The Court-Guilty or not guilty?
 Prisoner-Not guilty.
 Court-The trial will proceed. Sheriff, call the jury.
 All the formality of selecting jury, the taking of testimony Rnd the cross examination of counsel was gone through with. No detail of an ordinary trial at law was omitted. Finally the case WAS submitted to the jury, who, af- ter few minutes consultation, an- nounced that they had agreed upon a verdict.
 Court-Gentlemen, have you agreed upon a verdict?
 Foreman of the jury-We have, your Honor.
 The Court Clerk, read the verdict.
 The foreman of the jury hands the clerk paper. Clerk reads:
 We, the undersigned jurors, find the prisoner guilty as charged.
 "Joe Palmer said the Judge, stand up, Joe Palmer, the jury of your peers having found you guilty of a heinous ofTense, 1t becomes the duty of this Court to pronounce sentence upon you. You have had fair and impartial trial. Able counsel defended you. There IS nothing left but for the Court to pronounce sentence. The sentence of the Court IS that you be taken to the San Simon Valley, and between day break and sunrise be executed. Sheriff, take charge of the prisoner
 The next morning the sentence was carried into execution and Palmer was shot.
 "Curly Bill" in speaking of this after ward, remarked that no man was worthy to associate with residents of San Simon who could not shoot the heel of fel- lows boot while be danced.