The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1888-02-29
A DOG IN COURT.
Remarkable Intelligence Displayed BY
Canine Witness In q Minnesota Court.


Remarkable Intelligence Displayed BY q
Canine Witness In q Minnesota Court.
Minneapolis Special
The intelligence Of animals, and more
particularly of mans best four-footed
friend, the dog, has been the subject of
almost nUmberless stories and legends,
both ancient ana modern; but it is an &C.
eurrence as rare as it is wonderful that a
dog has been brought into court, before
judge and jury, to give evidence in his
own case. Such case, that of Burton VS..
Goehringer, occurred in the Hennepln
County District Court yesterday. Some
two years ago H. Burton, OF the Plymouth
Clothing House, lost a valuable Gordon
setter dog. he was as intelligent as be
was handsome, and Mrs. Burton hs't
taught him many entertaining little trick.
A couple of months ago Mr.. Burto Il
ran ran .s across Sport on 1T, the sire sire
Chris Goehrlnger, Bridge Squs'
saloonkeeper, appeared on the seen
and claimed the dog as his own, allegir /;
that he had bought him two years prev
ously. A lawsuit was the result M
Burton produced witnesses to prove thu
he had owned the dog since his puppy -
hood. Goehringer brought in the perso
of whom he had purchased Sport, a maj
of unblemished reputation, who, on hi,
part, produced witnesses equally as trust
worthy as Mr.. Burton's, to prove that b."
had owned the dog as puppy, and there
appeared TO be a case of mistaken identity
somewhere. Judge and jury alike were in
terrible quandary. At this juncture Mr..
Burton asked the Court IL he might be
allowed to introduce the evidence of the
dog. No objection was made 70 this novel
notion. Mr.. Burton, mindful of the &C.
complishments which his wife had taught
Sport in his youth, turned to the dog and
said in careless tone or voice:
Come, Sport, go and shut the door,"
Without a moments hesitation the in
telligent creature trotted over to the door
Of the court room, which happened to be
ajar, showed 1t shut, and then trotted back
to his master, and looked expectantly up
into his face. The latter then took bone
out Of his pocket, and laying it on the
floor at his feet, said:
"Well, Sport. that was well done; and
row would you like your dinner"
The dogs head nodded an emphatic
affirmation, but he seemed to be in no
hurry to take the bone.
do you," said Mr.. Button, "but you
must remember that ii is necessary for q
good orthodox dog to say grace before
eating"
Upon the word the dog dropped down on
his stomach. extended his head along the
floor, and reverently covered his eyes with
his paws. In q moment Mr.. Burton called
out amen" and Sport sprang to his feet
like flash and seized the bone without
any more ceremony, crunching it between
his jaws.
Mr.. Burton then bad the dog do his
famous gallant" act. In this Sport sat
upon his launches with hat upon his
head. When asked how he saluted gen.
tleman when meeting him, he deity
touched the edge of his hat with his right
paw; but when asked how he saluted
lady under the same circumstances, he
brought up his paw and knocked the hat
off his head. All concerned were perfectly
satisfied, and the. Jury In few moments
brought In q verdict for Mr.. Burton, and
Sport followed his triumphant master out
of the courtroom.