The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1885-09-10
HOW A JUDGE cor HIS TITLE.

Where the Spirit of the Republican Insti-
buttons Was Sustained with Six-Shoot-
ers.
"Judge" Cation, Indian trader at Fort
Bennett Cheyenne Agency, is one OF
the best and most entertaining authori-
ties on the affairs, character, history,
and traditions of the Sioux Indians TO
be met with in the Northwest. and
there is no better company Tor the leis-
ure hour. But where and how Cation
came to get that title has been inys-
terry to me, knowing. as did, that he
could have hardly obtained it from the
savage Dacotahs, among whom he has
resided for a number OF years
asked him the other day, meeting
him on the train: "Where did you get
your title from, Judge?"
SWELL" he said. with smile and
twinkle of the eye, I'll tell you l
have been Judge for some eighteen
years. and although the period of my
holding office was OF short duration, i
expect to hold my title for life.
at was that time when ! was youth
of 30 that my father sent me out West
in company with an old friend OF the
family gentleman nearer my fathers
age than mine; visited Colorado, where
things were then in pretty wild state,
1.-The day we arrived at Fairplay an
election was held for the Office of Reg
lister of Deeds. Captain Coates and
Colonel Jenny were the opposing can
didates, and the election had been car
ried on with good deal of feeling on
both sides.
(fr1< lfaatAu n fnrItxv
of 300 votes out of total poll OF over
1000, in a county whose entire popula-
tion fell far short of the vote in every
body's opinion.
Colonel Jenny contested the cleo
ton. The Office was worth $4,000
year, and worth fighting for. Each
candidate had his attorneys, whose
fees on either side exceeded $1,000.
every preparation had been made
for hearing the contest except the Sc
lection of a referee.
GA barrel of whisky and a barrel of
water were placed at the principal
street corner. with tin cup for every
body's free use All carried firearms,
save my friend and myself, and to me
the scene was, to say the least. a novel
one.
"The choice of q referee was the
point over which dispute seemed i'm
minent, when Captain Coates espying
me in the crowd, exclaimed:
"'Yonder's tenderfoot with en- hon.
est face. What do you say to having
him for the Judge of this here bust
ness?'
Hell do for me- responded Colonel
Jenny, and Judge Cation l became at
and from that hour.
witnesses were called on both sides,
and taking of testimony began for the
contestant.
"a great strapping 'six-foot and six
shooter swore that IN 'Buckskin joe
precinct, where over 200 votes we're
polled, there were not that many souls
living, men, women and children.
Testimony of this sort soon showed
that the election had been VIGOROUSLY
unfair on both sides. and that there was
no way of ascertaining who had been
honestly elected.
1t has been agreed that my decision
should be final, with the sole right re-
served TO the defeated party of forci-
bic resistance when the other should
bdhC tAt OlliCts
"AIy position was a ticklish one.
Fortunately, however, was perfectly
free to act as I liked Ny court had
no precedents to follow. Deciding, al.
ter a day of wrangling by counsel and
clients over the evidence presented,
that / would try bold stroke for JUS
tice. | called the court to silence and
announced Gentlemen, it appears to
tins court that no fair and legal cleo.
ton has been held in this countys and
shall rule as follows-that there be a
new election, the ballots to be deposit
ed in my keeping, in the presence of
both candidates and their COUNSEL
"Ihe decision took them all by sur
prise, but proved to be acceptable at
once. 1t was arranged to have the
voting done at each precinct separate
1y, and on separate day in few in
stances where it was necessary, so as to
comply with the conditions prescribed.
"a large crowd went with Judge, can
didates, and counsel from poll to poll,
and the result finally reached was ma
jority of twelve votes for Captain
Coates out Of total of 326 votes, in
stead of the former poll of 2,000.-Chi-
cdgo Inter Ocean,