Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1894-05-12
Film IN THE POLICE couRr

On Tuesday afternoon the case of
the city of Baxter Springs vs. Lou
lisa Watkins and daughter, Pearl
Watkins, charged with disturbing
the peace by wrangling, quarreling
and fighting was called in Police
Judge English's court. A large
crowd was in attendance and the
case was amusing. to say the least.
On Thursday, May 3, Kate Turner.
daughter of Reuben Turner of the
colored '400." became engaged in
what one of the defendants termed
a friendly fight at the home of VIM.
Martin in the northwest part of the
city. All of the parties claim TO
have been nearly killed. W. S. Nor
ton represented the city and the
defense was represented by Mr..
Watkins. husband of Louisa and
father of Pearl.
The first witness. Vim. Martin.
didn't know how to answer q ques-
ton by yes or no, but he did know
that Pearl had her fingers all
"wropt" mp in Katie's hair and il
was all he could do to part them.
Mrs. James Wheaton testified that
Katie came to her house with her
clothes all torn and blood all over
her face and looked "just awful"
The avengcr. Mrs. Watkins. with "a
stick in her hand, was in close pur-
suit.
After each witress for the city had
been examined by the prosecution,
Mrs. Watkins was invited to ask the
witness any question bearing OH
the case that she saw fit. but instead
of interrogating the witness she
would invariably begin to argue
the case.
When Katie was put upon the
stand she told how Pearl had
Jumped onto her and pulled her
hair, and scratched and bit her and
how Louisa came and mingled in
the fray. "Yes, she did; it's the
truth
Louisa then went upon the stand
in behalf of herself and Pearl and
testified that she was at home near
by when the friendly fight took
place and from the noise she thought
some one was doing carpenter work.
but upon learning what the trouble
was she ran over TO Martins where
she found Katie beating Pearl with
stick. Louisa said that when she
got there Pearl was conscious and
didn't have bit of sense" but
when Pearl went upon the stand
she unwittingly contradicted her
mother by stating that she was aw-
ful glad when her mother come, for
Katie was rapidly getting the best
of her.
The balance of the testimony ad-
duced went to show that Louisa
took her daughters part and that
together they made il quite interest
ing for Katie, who exhibited her
scars aud bruises.
After the witnesses had all been
examined Mr.. Norton presented the
city's side of the case showing that
an ordinance had been violated, and
was followed by Mr.. Watkins and
wife who attempted to show that
the defendants were justified in do
ing what they did. Katie wanted to
say something, too. but was not
permitted to do so. Reuben con-
cluded to address the court show
ing that the majesty of the law
must be upheld, but the court
squelched him, too.
Then Judge English, without put
ting on the black robe, announced
in his usual solemn and impressive
manner that under the law and
from the evidence adduced he found
1t necessary to fine the defendants
So and costs each. Watkins said he
had NO tnonpy with which IN nav
the fines of his wife and daughter,
but he offered to give Judge Eng
lish mortgage on his corn crop,
but courts don't do business in that
way. He was allowed a few days to
settle the matter up and Is now hus-
tling to secure the necessary lucre
with which 20 satisfy an outraged
Justice.