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

Where the Spiri; Of the republican Iasti-
tHfions tcas Sustained Wifh Siz-ShOot-
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 a mys-
tery 10 me, knowing, as / did, that he could
have hardly obtained it from the savage Da-
eotahs, among whom he has resided for
number of years.
asked him the other day. meeting him
on the train: "wnere did you get your title
from, Judgei"
''Well,' be said, with a smile and q
twinkle Of the eye, "Ill tell you. I have
been Judge for some eighteen years, and
although the period Of my holding Office was
Of short duration, 1 expect to hold my title
for life.
at was that time when was a youth Of
twenty that my father sent me out west in
company with an old friend Of the family, a
gentleman nearer my fathers age than mine;
visited Colorado. where things were then in
pretty wild state.
''The dsy we arrived az Fairplay an cleo
ton was held for the office OF register Of
deeds. Capt. Coates aud Col. Jenny were
the opposing Candidates, and the election
had been carried on with good deal Of feel
ing on both sides.
"The returns gave Coates a majority OF 200
votes out Of total poll OF over 1000, in
county whose entire population fell far short
Of the vote in everybody's opinion.
"Col. Jenny contested the election. The
Office was worth 500 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
referee.
"a barrel Of whisky and n barrel Of water
were placed at the principal street corner
with tin cup for everybOdy's free use. All
carried firearms save my friend and myself,
and TO me the scene was, 10 say the least,
novel one.
"The choice Of referee was point over
which a dispute seemed imminent, when
Capt. Coates, espying me in the crowd, ex-
claimed:
"'Youder's tenderfoot with an honest
face. What do you say 10 having him for the
judge Of this here business9
" 'He'l do for me- responded Col. Jenny,
and Judge Cation became At and from
that hour.
witnesses were called on both sides, and
the taking Of testimony began for the con-
testant
"a great, strappiog 'six-footer and six
- -. T.. >
cinct, where over 200 votes we're polled,
there were not that many souls living, men,
women and children
Testimony OF this sort soon showed me
that the election had been uotoriousiy unfair
on both sides, and that there was no way TO
ascertain who had been honestly elected.
at bad been agreed that my decision
should be eual, with the sole right reserved
10 the defeated party OF forcioie resistance
when the other should take the Office.
'My position was ticklish one. Fortuy
nately, however, / vas perfectly free 10 ac-
as liked. Ny curt had no presidents TO folt
low Deciding, after day OF wrangling b.
counsel and clients over the evidence pre-
scented, that would try bold stroke for JUS
tice, called the court TO silence and an
nounced: Gentlemen, it appears to this
court that no fair aud legal election has been
held in this county, aud shall rule as fol-
lows-that there be a new election, the pal
lots to be deposited in nv keeping, in the
presence OF both candidates and their conn-
sell
''This decision took them all by surprise,
but proved TO be acceptable at once II was
arranged 10 have the voting done at each
precinct separately, aud on separate day
in = few instances where it was necessary,
so as TO comply with the conditions pre-
scribed.
"a large crowd went with Judge, candi-
dates and counsel from poll to poll. and the
result finally reached was a majority Of twelve
votes for Capt Coates out OF a total OF 500
votes, instead Of the former poll Of 2,000."
-ChicaQ0 Inter Ocsaa.