Chariton courier. (Keytesville, Chariton County, Mo.) 1878-current, 1885-01-23
HOW HE GOT HIS TITLE.
Where the Spirit of the Republican Insti-
tutions was Sustained with Six-shooters.


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 In
dians to be met with in the Northwest,
and there is no better company for the
leisure hour. But where and how Ca
ton came to get that title has been
mystery 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?n
'.Well, he said, with a smile and a
twinkle of the eye, '1'll tell you. ]
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.
..lt was that time when l was youth
of 20 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.
'.The day we arrived at Fairplay an
election was held for the Office of Reg
lister of Deeds. Capt. Coates and Col
Jenny were the opposing candidates.
and the election had been carried on
with a good deal of feeling on both
sides.
''The returns gave Coates majority
of 200 votes out of total poll of over
1000, in county whose entire popula-
ton fell far short of the vote in every
body's opinion.
"Col. Jenny contested the election.
The Office was worth $4,000 year,
and worth fighting for. Each candidate
had his attorneys, whose fees on either
side exceeded 81 900.
every preparation had been made
for hearing the contest except the Sc
lection of referee.
"a barrel of whisky and u 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 lue
the scene was, to say the least, nov FL
one.
'sThe choice of a referee was the
point over which dispute seemed inn
minent, when Capt. Coates, espying
me in the crowd, exclained:
est face What do you say to having
him for the Judge of this here bust
nessP
's He'll do for me, responded Col
Jenny, and Judge Cation l became at
and from that hour.
witnesses were called on both sides,
and the taking of testimony began for
the contestant.
"a great, strapping .six-footer and
six-shooter' swore that in .Buckskin
joe precinct, where over 200 votes
were polled, there were not that many
souls living, men, women and chill
dren.
Testimony of this sort soon showed
me that the election had been notori-
ously unfair on both sides, and that
there was no way to ascertain who had
been honestly elected.
sit had been agreed that my decision
should be final, with the sole right re-
served to the defeated party of forcible
resistance when the other should take
the office.
my position was ticklish one.
Fortunately, however, was perfectly
free to act rs liked. Deciding, after
a day of wrangling by counsel and eli
ents over the evidence presented, that
/ would try a bold stroke for justice, 1
called the court to silence and ANNOUNCE
ed: Gentlemen, it appears to this court
that no fair and legal election has been
held in this county, and shall rule as
follows-that there be new election,
the ballots to be deposited in my keep
ing, in the presence of both candidates
and their counsel
This decision took them all by sur
DriSe but proved to he accountable af |
once. 1t was arranged to have the vot-
ing done at each precinct separately, |
and on separate day in few in
stances where it was necessary, so as
to comply with the conditions pre-
scribed.
"a large crowd went with judge, |
candidate and counsel from poll to poll, |
and the result finally reached was a
majority of twelve votes fol. Capt.
Coates out of a total of 326 votes, In
stead of the former poll of 1000. -
Chicago Inter Ocean.
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