Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1888-08-25
THE NERVE OF A FRONTIER JUSTICE.
Judge Drum. Interview with IA Man who
Ohiected 10 One of Ills Sentences,

Judge Drums Interview with Man WHO
Objected 10 One of his Sentences,
The Hon Thomas J, Drum. of Butte,
Mont, is one of the best known men i'll
the West. He is lawyer of distin-
guished ability and has followed min
ing eXcitements in the West for twenty
Years or more, Judge Drum has lived
in California. Arizona, Nevada and
Montana. and has been q conspicuous
figure at the bar in each place. During
the days of Tombstonc's prosperity he
was United States Commissioner in
Arizona, Ircsiding in Tombstone, and
when President Arthur issued his fam
Gus proclamation ordering the outlaw
cowboys to dlsband Judge Drum took
mn active part in its enforcement. A
brace of cowboys We're ut one time ar
raigned before him for holding up Il
United States mail-coach between
Benson and Tombstone. The Judge
held them both for trial without bail,
and sent them to the Tucson Jail for
safe keeping. This made the cowboys
indignant, and threats were made that
Judge Drums earthly career would he
wound up. \ few days after he ordered
the prisoners taken to Tucson Red
Thornton, Il notorious desperate, quiet
ly entered Judge Drml's office. The
Judge was sitting alone behind desk
He recognized Thornton as he entered,
but pretended to keep on writing with
out taking any notice of him. In the
meantime, however, he managed to get
his hand on double-barreled shotgun
with the barrels abbreviated to about
fourteen inches in length, that rested
against his desk, within easy reach. He
lifted it up and, concealing it behind a
pile of books. with his hand still grasp
ing it, asked Thornton what he wanted
az that gentlemen appeared i'll front Of
the desk.
BE You ledge Drum 2" asked the
desperate.
81 be, " responded the Judge.
"Well, L KEN to settle wild YOU aboul
sendin' the b'yes to jail" coolly re-
marked the desperate.
Glow are You going to do it?"
qucried the Judge.
"Jedge, you're II purity good-lookin'
duck, an | hate ter do it. but I've got
ter blow the top Of your Id head OIL.
remarked the gentleman with the red
hair
chat wouldn't be much fun for me,
especially as they struck big ore
body in the Cromwell this morning.
said the Judge,
"Jcdge, you're too Id funny" said
the desperate, and he made a motion
TO reach for his gum
As he did SO the judge presented
his shotgun. stood mp, and held the
muZZle within two feet of the despcr-
ado. This was something that had
not been calculated ON, and the in
truder's disappointment was apparent.
Throw mp your hands, called out
the Judge. Thornton obcyed promptly.
Now, remain in that position until
somebody comes along to take off your
pistols" said the Judge. Thornton
did as he was told. In few minutes
footsteps were heard in the hall, and
the Judge called the passer-by to
enter. 1t happened to be lawyer
who had an office in the same building.
Judge Drum told the lawyer to relieve
the desperate of his pistols, warming
the latter that if he made move he
would get double charge of buckshot.
The desperados pistols were taken
from him, and then, in front of the
Judges gun, he was marched off to