The Red Cloud chief., 1888-08-31
PLUCKY JUDGE Drum.
How He Entertained AN Ugly Visitor al
tho Point Of . Gun.

-
tho Point Of . Gun.
Hon. Thomas j. Drum, Of Butte, NJ. T., i.
one Of the best known lawyers in the West
says the st. Louis Republic. He is lawyer
of distinguished ability, and has followed
mining cxcitcments in the West for the last
twenty years or more. Judge Drum has
lived in California, Arizona, Nevada and
Montana, and has been u conspicuous figure
at the bar in each place. During the days
Of TombstOne's prosperity he was y United
States Commissioner in Arizona. residing in
Tombstone, and when President Arthur
issued his famous proclamation ordering the
outlaw cowboys to disband Judge Drum
took an active part in its enforcement.
A brace OF cowboys were at one time ar.
raigned before him for holding up q United
States mail coach between Benson ard
Tombstone. The judge held them both for
trial without bail. and sen them to tho Tue.
son jail for safe-keeping. This made tho
cowboys very indignant. and threats were
made that Judge Drums earthly career
would be wound up. y few days after he
ordered the prisoners taken to Tucson, Rcd
Thornton, . notorious despcrado, quietly en-
tered Judge Drums Office. He recognized
Thornton as he entered, bat pretended to
keep on writing without taking any notice of
bin: In the meantime. however, he man.
aged 10 get his hand on q double barrelcd
shotgun, with the barrels abbreviated to
o fourteen inches in length. that rested
on his desk within easy reach. He lifted it
up, and ~conccahng it behind q pile of books,
with his hand s;lu grasping it, asked Thorn
ton what he wanted. rs that gentleman an
peared in front of tho desk.
You Jedge Drum.' asked the desper-
ado.
Il be-" responded the Judge.
"Weu, ken to settle wild you about send
in the b'yes to JAIL" remarked the dcsper-
ado.
How are You going I Go it,"
"Jedge, you're Il p.r:y goOi-loo.in' duck
l hate ter DO it. but I've got ter blow the
top Of your burned head of" remarked the
gentleman with the red hair.
THAT wouldn't DC much fun for nc, es-
pecialiy rs they struck 4 big ore body in the
Cromwell this morning." said the Judge.
'Jcdgc, you're too burned funny slid
thcd csperado, and he made a motion for
his gun.
As he did SO the judgepresentcd his shot
gun. stood up and held the Inuzzlc within
VI feet Of tho despcrado. This was some
thing that had not been calculated on,
and the intruder's disappointment was up
parent.
Throw up your hands, called out tho
Judge. Thornton ob.ycd promptly. ''Now
remain in that position until somebody
comes along to take of your pistols said
judge. Thornton did as he was told. In
few minutes footsteps were aeard in the
lall and the judge called the passcr-by to
inter. It happened to he = lawyer who
lad an Office III the same building. Judge
Drum told the lawyer to rclicve,the desper-
ldO of his pistols warning the latter that il
&c made a move he woUld get o double
Of buckshot. The desrerado's pis-
OILS were taken from him, and, in front Of
Judge Drums gun, he was marched to tho
Office and turned v e to the us
tody OF nat officer. II happened that the
sheriff had q warrant for ThOrnton's arrest
or ~stagc-r0bbing. and he was sent to the
Tucson Jail to keep his friends company.
Judge Drum had several exciting expert
noes in Arizona. His duty as United
States Commissioner in a mailrobbing
gave him plenty OF employment
md brought him into official intercourse
with some Of the toughest me in tho 70
zion. In 1855 when the bottom fell out OF
Judge Drum moved to Butte,
4. T., and is now n of the leading lawyers
II hat Territory.