, 1889-03-14
An Eccentric Justice

seventy years ago there resided on th9
EIwla river near Port Ange-es. quaint
genius Hamed HuntoUu who was chosen
justice Of the peace rs sort OF sta1d oil
to Chief Justice Shaw OF Dungeness.
HuutoUn used to say that, whenever his
hat was off his court was in 8 ssion, and
lie was ready 1T all times to fine scotfers
for contempt OF court when they would
get up Jokes at his expense.
On one occasion an Irishman named
O'Couuer, who lived at Crescent bay,
brought an action before Squire Hun
toou against an Indian for stealing an
AK and a roll OF greenbecks. O'Connor
plead his own case as prosecutor, and
the Indian secured Counselor Bradshaw
for the deteuze. Huntoon had an ill
feeling against O'Connor, or Mickey, as
Le was called ard did not believe 4
word lie said, and he readily believed
tbs de.endents council, who charged
that Mickey's statements were without
any foundation
While tie case waa progressing, Old
Jack Dunn, one of the celebrities of Port
Angeles kept singing out: Sock 1t to
him, Huntoop, sock it to him." He was
told several times to be quiet, and at
last, upon an emphatic and cheering out
burst, the squire said: "Jack, you are
faed five dollars for contempt of court"
This quieted Jack and the case pro-
cceded to its close, when the court ren-
dered this remarkable decision: THE
prisoner is discharged and may go hence
without date, but the culprit (meaning
the plaintif) is fined five dollars and
costs, and the sheriff will see that he is
confined on board of the revenue cutter
yill the fine is paid" Mickey was
marched off and would have been incar-
cerated but friend paid the fine.
Some Of the respectable citizens re-
monstratsd with Squire Huntoon and
threatened to have him before the
grand jury. But lie replied: II am right.
Gosh darn it, [ told Mickey l would get
even with him. He charged me twenty
five cents for taking quarter OF beef
from my boat to Allingham's hotel and L
socked it TO him Tor that"
Meanwhile, Jack Dunn had been re-
flecting on the fine which had been I'M
posed on him for contempt OF court, and
not relishing the idea of parting with
his hard earned coin, he applied to Mr..
Bradshaw for advice.
just go in, Jack, and apologize to the
squire and ask him TO remit the fine" )"
was Bradshaw's advice.
Jack went III where he found the JUS
tice busy with his papers and addressed
him thus: ''See here, Huntoon, you fined
me five dollars for contempt Of your
court, didn't your"
Yes, Jack, you are fined five dollars"
"Well, you didn't fine me enough. l
have moro than five dollars worth OF
contempt for your court, but am
poor man and l hope You will let me
OF"
Jack" said the justice waving his
hands in an emphatic matter, "your
apology is ample and the fine is re-
mitted and this court is satisfied.
ANOTHER COMPLAINANT FINED.
\ neishbor Of Squire Huntoon caught
an Indian in the act of stealing two
sacks of potatoes which he had slowed
IN bis canoe. The man made the Indian
pack them all ashore and then took him
before Huntoou and formally complained
OF the theft. The Squire beard the
case, discharged the Indian and fined
the complainant, who, getting very
angry, was about to chastise the court
ard demanded an explanation.
Didn't you get your potatoes all
back?" asked the justice.
Yes, did. l took them back"
"Well, the Indian didn't steal them
and lie can't be held and you must pay
the costs and be fined five dollars for
bringing frivilous case"
The complainant offered to fight the
court or have the fine remitted.
The court thought discretion the bet
ter part OF valor SO the combat was de-
cliued and the fine remitted and the case
expunged from the docket or in the
classic language OF the court. was
"squashed."