The Bad Lands cow boy. [volume] (Little Missouri, Dakota [i.e. N.D.]) 1884-1886, 1885-07-23
In Justice Gordon's Court.

: Territory s :; Assault. u.
At the regular. session of Justice Cor
don's court yesterday afternoon, the only
case on the docket was the,assault case
against Robert Roberts. Nate. Baker, a
gentleman of elegant leisure, who rode
into town on a tie and brake-beam pass,
was the complaining witness.
Court was opened at three o'clock by
Sheriff Lincoln lee. The, first witness
was the plaintiff, Mr.. Nathaniel Baker.
He testified that his home was the same
as that of his satanic majesty and that
lie was a hunter, having spent all his
life killing time. Occasionally, or about
seven times a day, he branched into q
profession he had down finer than q
bugs bill, that Of cumming chuck"
As means Of livelihood, outside Of his
business and profession, lie was a scis-
sors-grinder. TO prove his statement he
drew the implements Of his trade from
his vest pocket; a piece Of scoria for a
grindstone and a broken-bladed pen
knife for screWdriver.i He further
stated that entering the doxology works
of the prisoner at the bar he had been
saluted by the discharge of deadly
weapon, aimed in his direction and held
in tie hands of the aforesaid prisoner.
That he had then sworn out a complaint
before Justice Gordon and had the pris-
oner arrested. On cross-examination lie
testified that his home was in Belfield.
The court then very properly oyer-ruled
the motion of defendants counsel to
quash the case, owing to the conflicting
evidence concerning the plaintiffs resi-
dence by complaining witness, holding
that theIe was no conflict in his state
ments. ,-s .','4' osE
Fred Willard was then sworn. He tes-
tilted that ho was barber by trade and
very nervous by temperament. That he
had been extremely bothered in the prac-
tice Of his tonsorial occupation by de-
PENDANT playfully holding him up when
ever he had splinter or two. The pros
ecuting witness had come into his place
Of business, complaining that the defend
ant had held him up for coin about as
big as dollar or a dollar and a half or
two dollars. Aswitness had often suf-
fered in the same way he willingly
loaned the prosecuting witness six
shooter and took pains to look carefully
at the loads and see that the powder and
ball were removed from the cartridges.
The complaining witness then started
for Mr.. Roberts place of business and the
next witness saw was the form of Mr..
Baker fairly claWing the air in race
against time and bullets. He also re-
membered that Mr.. Baker while jumping
over ten-foot corral fence casually
remarked something about murder and
things. He also saw Mr.. Roberts in hot
pursuit who playfully kept up his target
practice at yariegated piece of cloth on
the sag Of Mr.. Bakers pants, comment.
ing meanwhile to the effect that, mo.
body but a rank tenderfoot would turn
loose on him."
During the course Of the trial the testi.
mony had been several times interrupted
by the defendant and it was found nee.
essary to handcuff and gag him and Then
lay him in corner where the cour1
feather-weights Shorty and Sam Whitney
placidly anchored him down by sitting
on him. 4 # K
Being released, the defendant testified
that his name was Robert Roberts. Tha,
i his. home was in Landdasant Anglesay
/ Bightyough ertoug ueough Great Britain
That he was a foreign missionary sen,
Tout by his home congregation to spread
the glad tidings Of great JOY among
4 the buttes and coolies Of ! Che Bad Lands
Here the prisoner had a eonyulsion O
the conntenanee which the court inter
ilpreter declared to be a wink. On sus
4 picion, and because the boys were get.
Ting dry, the court imIded iately found
the prisoner guilty Of breach Of promise
0rdered the prosecuting witness to re
sumo his tie pass and adjourned court Il
Itry and induce q little boy to buy a, win
tel suit that would have look baggy on