Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1884-03-13
Storm and Sunshine.

4 Va tiiO cbOW-DOulio tidln -iICfC, HClQ u
moot trial &C the Balzer House. 1t seems
five pounds of salt pork was missed from
the caboose occupied by the &c. VIII.
B. t. r. $. B. P. Co." and one yeclept
"Spoopendyke," belonging to the club
with the above euphonious title was ar
rested. a court organized, and he was
placed OH trial for the heniouss crime.
John Turner, of Mansion, Wis, wal
judge. Webster Goss, of Minneapolis,
prosecuting attorney and Mr.. Skillman,
mayor of Aberdeen, Dakota, attorney for
defence. Ajury was impanelled and the
trial began.
DR.. Peabody of this place was first
placed On the stand as an expert to show
the effect Of salt pork upon the system.
From him was elected the fact that ii us
ually left the face flushed, and as Mr..
Spoopendyke's face was anything but
pale it was a most distressing circum-
stance against him.
Giyeadam Jones next testified. Said
he had been acquainted with plaintiff
for a short time, thought his character
was non too good, Knew the smell of
pork-the smell on defendant was whis-
ky in the afternoon and pork the next
morning. Attorney wanted TO know how
he knew it a the piece of pork stolen
from the club, whereupon Giveadam re-
sponded in an injured tone that there
uoe - ~n.,k &C., l1.14 ola..4 "a 49,
was no smell on earth like a caboose
smell and when it was mixed with salt
pork-well it wasn't Otto of Roses by sew
.eral lengths. Another reason for his be-
lief was that defendant walked with head
up, toes out, chest expanded, prior to the
loss of the pork-next day he toed in,
head down, chest sunken, here the pris-
oner wept copiously, and WAS regarded
on All sides with gravely suspicious
glances.
MI. Salisbury was Mex called. He
came forward saying it palnfuld duty
he hads perform, spoopendvke was 4
&lxiul Qf hia, and offered u shake hands
-pffilsofieef fef6Sed an 0vbYtnfes aia 1sS
had been acquainted with Spoopaisdyke
for forty-ive years-had grown up with
him to mans. estate when they started
west, twenty-five years ago-had been on
the road ever since. Saw prisoner early
ON the morning the loss of pork was dis
covered, snoping around the end of ca
b~oose-knew him by his bald head. it
Clustered mere than the snow did. Got
out and fouEd his track, had been on his
track for two days. Attorney asked the
court to have track produced. Witness
reluctantly unrolled q large package of
cloths, about twenty coverings, and pro-
duceo Il ginger snap, swore it was prison
er's track-he had been on them for two
DAYS and was positive. Had been with
prisoner all day before pork episode.
Knew he hadn't ate anything-said he
couldn't, lawyers and Judge ate it all be-
fore he got to the table WAS too full. to
eat. Spoopendyke drinks awful whenhe
can gel any one to treat him, had kept
him full, on day pork was purchased.
Didn't think he drank anything day af-
ter, witness never offered to treat him.
A GOODNESS had arisen between them.
Prisoners breath smelled awful Of salt
pork, knew it was tire piece of pork in
controversy-thought he must have been
hribed to steal it. Closed by reiterating
undying~ friendship for Spoopendyke.
Elder Wright was called. Said he had
been acquainted with prisoner ever since
he started west-couldn't remember
when that was. Knew pork was missing
thought prisoner took it.
Prisoner took the stand. Said he took
the pork and brought it up to the hotel
had been hired to by prosecuting attor-
ney and iudge-agreed TO give him a dol
lar for job. Judge had not vet paid his
share. Never drank anything in his life.
The Judge then charged the jury. who
without leaving their seats returned the
following verdict:
'That an emetic should be admins
tered to prisoner, and the judge and at
t~orneys should have their share
The whole trial was side-splitting from
one end to the other. The judge, the
attorneys and the witnesses keeping the
large audience in a roar of laughter ali
the time. Everybody declared it wa1
better than a circus.
W.