The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1894-04-18

| and degree, The owner of the wolves
| offered to set them loose at 81 a head
The offer was promptly accepted, the
money raised, and preparations made
for the coming sport. The owners OF
the dogs seized their property in tight
grip, meantime jockeying to get In the
best positions. 1t was customary to give
the wolf a chance to gee we'll on his feet
before the dogs were let go. The cage
was opened, the wolf walked ont, and,
after one look at the dogs and the crowd
which had drawn respectfully to ore
side, jumped to the ground and vas
tro,ting off. This was the signal to let
90 the dogs. With a combined yelp
they jumped for the big gray bundle OF
fur. The bundle, however, seemed to
become an animated mass OF steel
springs, with white teeth and razor
like claws. With one bound his wolf
ship placed himself against the side OF
the court house and, facing his foes,
| soon caused them to retreat to safe
distance.
The Jurors up in the juryroom COM
manded full view of the square where
the wolf hunters wagon stood, bnt had
been too interested in trying to-brfng
Free Williams over to notice what was
going on outside. At the first howl Of
the dogs as they sprang to the attack
the jurors jumped for the one window
overlooking the square and endeavored
to obtain a view of the fght-all bat
Free Williams, who continued to blow
smoke from his corncob pipe In the
corner. His time was coming and he
knew 1t.
The fight seemed to have been pro,
vided with special reference to the COM
fort of the jury. The wolf had taken
his position just under their window
surrounded by a ring of dogs, outside
of which was the crowd of spectators.
On the front row stood the Juege ano
attorneys, court having been promptly
fight was on in the square. For time
the wolf held his own. Then he began
to look for safer quarters and to edge
OF along the building. The court house
was small, square brick structure, and
it was not long before his wolfship
neared the corner, still standing of the
dogs in handsome style. 1t was one of
the best fights on record, so everybody
said, and the j,ry straining their necks
out of the window agreed.
Finally the wolf executed strategic
maneuver TO the otner side of the build
ing. This took him out of sight Of the
Jurors, but the sounds of the battle and
excited shouts of the crowd reached
their ears with all the torments of Tan
talus. With one impulse the eleven
men turned to the solitary figure eu-
veloped in the cloud of smoke, crying:
"Here, Free, let's compromise, so we
fight" 1853 -.-
"rm not compromisin'," was the re
ply.
"Well throw of 500; make It $780,"
No reply.
Eight hundred, or $500. Well, $500
then. There, that's far, Free. Give
Sam $500 and we'll see the fight,".
"Not dollar, gentlemen" was the
grim reply.
"But we want to see that fight"
"Sorry for you. If you want to see it
right bad, though, you had better come
to my terms"
"What are they?' came 10 chorus.
"A verdict for the defendant"
"Nonsense, Free. You know we can't
do that"
"Too bad you can't Seems to be from
the sounds the wolf is gettiu' The best of
the dogs. 1t is hard to be cooped up
here with such an ALFRED handsome
fight goin' on SO near BY" and Free
heaved big sigh.
The eleven jurors stood and glared at
the Missourian. Had 1t not been for his
we'll know prowess In free-for-all Hg hit
he won have suffered severely for his
obstinacy. Now the sounds of the fight
came clearer. as though the wolf was
working back, and rush was made for
the window. The next instant there
came howl from the dogs and shout
from the crowd, mai, king savage work
by the gray-coated warrior.
Once more compromise was offered
Just verdict for few dollars for the
plaintiff, so as to carry the costs.
"Not a cent, gentlemen" was the an
swer. 81 said the niger shouldn't have
a cent, and he shan't."
Further remonstrance was ont of tt
question. The wolf might escape any
minute or be overpowered. The eleven
jurors surrendered Internationally.
Draw up any verdict you want to,
Free, and we will sign it," was the cry,
"only do it quick and get US out of
here"
This was all the old man wanted, and
few minutes more a verdict for the
defendant had been signed by the twelve
men and was held by Free Williams.
But even after their surrender the i'm.
patient jurymen seemed fated to miss
the fight. No amount of pounding on
the door attracted attention. Sheriff
Pepper was. with the. enuYt and affnr.