The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1894-01-11
!. WHY HANK WAS NOT HANGED;

I. Why HANK WAS NOT HANGED
Insisted on Having Billed shirt and
They Couldn't supply 1t.
When Hank Taylor was put on
trial at Strawberry Hill for killing
Steve Brown. says the Anaconda,
Mont, Standard, be pleaded guilty,
and in little speech to the crowd
he said: @ -@@
''In course you'll hang me. lex
pect it. and shall be disappointed if
you don't. But want it understood
right now that hev rights !"
"What be them rights, prisoner?:'
queried Bill Totten, who was acting
as Judge,
WAL, want to be hung with q
new rope. l was brought up respect
ably and I want to die that way.
Then want to wear billed shirt
l was brung up to wear billed shirts.
and l don t want to disgrace the
family. want to be shaved, to have
my hair combed and parted in the
middle, and insist on Zeke Cooper
lendin' me his new butes. That's
my rights, and shall insist on 'en''
''Prisoner, han't you just little,
too partik 'lar?" inquired the Judge
liant it putin this ERE camp to Il
good deal of extra trouble for no
real benefit? Whar are we goin' to.
get billed shirt, for instance?"
IL dunno, but we hev got to hev
one. Do you s'pose I'm goin' to,
ri ~ @&1 .:Al~
this old red shirt On? They wouldn't,
allow me to stake claim or set up a,
shanty."
"How are you goin' to be shaved
when we han't got no razors in
camp? We kin furnish you some
grease and a comb, but thar can't be-
no Shawn"
LOOT to be-" replied Hank. II
han't goin' over the divide lool1in'
like a wolf with, his winter fur on.
And as fur grease. want regular
bars ile I am bound to look just as
purity as KIM
"Zeke. will you lend him your
butes?' asked the Judge.
"Naw. could never feel easy in
'em agin."
Then I don't hang!" retorted the
prisoner. "Mind you, boys, l han't
denying that I killed Steve, whom
everybody knows was a provokin',
cantankerous cuss and orter been
killed long ago, and han't kickin as
to what will follow. I'm jest stickin'
out fur my rights. S'posin' any one
O. you was goin' to arrive in the
other world as tenderfoot, wouldn't
you want to look fairly decent?"
''Ihat's SO, that's so," unused the
judge. lin course it'll be known
that you cum from Strawbury Hill
and in course we'll hev a pride in
tittin' you out in decent shape. The
prisoner will be removed while We
hev a TALK
. We had a talk. We couldn't get a
white shirt, new rope and razor.
anywhere within 100 miles. And, as
Hank had observed, Steve Brown
was always saying mean things and
provoking quarrels and wasn't much
account After discussing the pros
and cons it was decided to overlook
the offense and let up on Hank, but
after telling him our decision the
judge said:
'But don't do it again, Hank. It.
are the opinyun of some of the boys
that you were too darned particular.
about the billed shirt, and of others
that you were right about wantin' to-
make decent appearance on the
other shore, and so we decided to,
call it squar'. Next time, however.
we'll hang you with mule rope and
in yer old duds and let we run all the
chances"
wall, boys, fix it to suit your
selves and it'll suit me-" carelessly
replied the prisoner, and court was
adjourned and we returned to work,
Elr OK Dress Coats.