St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-12-26
HOW A JUDGE GOT HIS TITLE.

Where the Spirit Of the Repu5Iican Insti-
tufi0ns tcas Sustained Hith Siz-Sh00t-
ers.
'Judge" Cation, Indian trader at Fort
Bennett Cheyenne agency, is one OF the
best and most entertaining authorities on
the affairs, character, history, and traditions
Of the Sioux Indians to be met with in the
northwest, and there is no better company
for the leisure hour. But where and how
Cation came to get that title has been mys-
tery 10 me, knowing, as ! did, that be could
have hardly obtained IL from the savage Da-
cotahs, among whom he has resided for
number Of years.
asked him the other day. meeting him
on the train: "Where did you get your title
from, Judgel'
SWELL" be said, with q smile and
twinkle Of the eye, ''I'll tell you. 1 have
been Judge for some eighteen years, and
although the period OF my holding Office was
Of short duration, / expect TO hold my title
for life.
''It was that time when was q youth OF
twenty that my father sent me out west in
company with an old friend Of the family, q
gentleman nearer my fathers age than mine;
visited Colorado. where things were then in
pretty wild state.
''The day we arrived at Fairplay an cleo
ton was held for the office Of register Of
deeds Capt. Coates and Col. Jenny were
the opposing candidates, aud the election
had been carried on with good deal of feel
ing on both sides.
'sTne returns gave Coates a majority of 200
votes out of a total poll OF over 1900, in 4
county whose entire population fell far short
Of the vote in everybody's opinion.
''Col. Jenny contested the election. The
Office was worth SIC. 200 year, and worth
fighting for. Each candidate had his attor-
news, whose fees on either side exceeded
$1,000.
''Every preparation had been made for
hearing the contest except the selection Of a
referee.
"a barrel Of whisky and a barrel or water
were placed at the principal street corner
with tin cup for everybody's free use. AL
carried firearms save nv freud and myself,
and 10 me the scene was, 10 say the least, q
novel one.
ssThe choice of referee was point over
which a dispute seemed imminent, when
Capt Coates, esPying me in the crowd, ex-
claimed:
1OnQcr- lcuNcElOOt VIII al houNoi
face. What do you say 10 having him for the
Judge Of this here busincsst
- He'll do for me, responded Goa Jenny
and Judge Caion' became at and FROM
that hour.
witnesses were called on both sides, and
the taking OF testimony began for the con-
testaut-
"A great, strapping 'six-footer and six
shooter swore that in 'BucksSin joe pre-
cinct, where over 200 votes were polled
there were not that many souls living, men
women and children.
Testimony Of this sort soon showed N,
that the election had been uotoriousiy nnfai
on both sides, aud that there was no way u
ascertain who had been honestly elected.
SIT had been agreed that my decision
should be final, with the sole right reserved
to the defeated party Of forcibie Resistance
when the other should take the Office.
'sMy position was ticklish one. Foriul
nstely, however, was perfectly free 10 ae-
as liked. My court had no presidents 70 fol
low. Deciding, after day OF wrangiing b.
counsel and clients over the evidence pre-
sented, that would try bold stroke for jus
i tice, called the court TO silence and an
nouneed: Gentlemen, IL appears 10 thii
court that no fair and legal election has beer
held in this county, and shall rule as fol
lows-that there be q new election, the pal
lots to be deposited in my keeping, in th'
presence Of both candidates and their coun
sell
ssThIs decision took them all by surprise
but proved TO be acceptable at once II wa
arranged TO have the voting done At each
precinct separately, and on separate dal
in a few instances where it was necessary
so as 70 comply with the conditions pre-
scribed.
"a large crowd went with judge, candi
dates and counsel from poll to poll, aud the
result finally reached Was majority Of twelv
votes for Capt. Coates out OF total of 81
votes, instead of the former poll Of 2,000-'
Chicago Inter OCEAN.