The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1895-02-05
NASTY AS IT CAN BE
The Case Of John Opis Heard in the
Court
MINNIE YOUNG'S STORY
She Charges That the Fellow Took
Shocking Liberties With Her
Upon That Charge He Was
Discharged. However.

BUTTE, Feb. 4.-The case of the state
VS.. John Opie, who was charged in SUBJ
stance with enticing little girls into his
room for immoral purposes, came up in
Judge Kirkwood's court IN Meaderville
this afternoon. The complainant in the
case was Mrs. Hans Young, and the prin-
cipal witness for the prosecution was her
11-year-old daughter, Minnie, on whom
the assault was alleged to have been COM
mitted. The complaint, which was drawn
up by Judge Kirkwood and was something
of an innovation, set forth "That on or
about Feb. 1, 1895, and at divers times prior
thereto and before the filing of this COM
plant, the above named defendant, John
Opie, was guilty of the crime of assault
and abusing female child with her con-
sent the defendant being then and there
a male person of tho age of IL years and
upwards; in and on one Minnie Young, n
female child under the age of IA years,
to-wit: of the age of IL years; and then
and there forcibly and felonIousIy did
make an assault on her, the said Minnie
Young, and then and there unlawfully
and feloniously did carnally know and
abuse her with her consent"
Assistant County Attorney Barlow con-
Quoted the prosecution and John Lindsay
appeared for the defendant.
"What is this?" inquired Mr.. Barlow,
"a trial or examining"
"Simply preliminary examination in
which the magistrate has power only to
hold the defendant to the district court if
he considers the evidence sufficient" re-
piled Mr.. Lindsay.
"All right" said Barlow, "somebody
told me II was trial"
After the prelimlharies had been
Cf raj Uh nj n n wi naZ CaE
were sworn and the case was proceeded
with. Mrs. Augusta Young, mother of
the girl, was called and Mr.. Lindsay en-
tered an objection TO the introduction of
any testimony under the complaint for
the reason that it did not state facts s,if-
flcient 10 constitute a public offense. The
objection was overruled. IL
Mrs. Young testified that she was the
mother of Minnie and that she had signed
the complaint against Opie on informa-
ton and belief. Afterwards she stated in
reply to n question from Mr.. Lindsay that
she had sworn to it absolutely. She stated
that she knew of Opie having assaulted
her daughter last spring but did not know
of any recent otfense.
Minnie Young was then called and the
child burst into tears the instant she took
the stand. She said: II haye known
Opie for two years. On Friday last he
paid my fare up town. Harriet Williams
and Eta Gribble we're with me. He took
us along East Galena street and told us
that there were some young women and
some old ones in the houses. After that
he gave me 50 cents to buy candy"
Continuing the girl said that when she
took Opie's washing up to his room about
a year ago he threw her down and sub
jected her to the most outrageous and re-
voting indiGnities. He had not done any
thing of this nature recently, however.
About "a week ago, the girl said, she went
up to his room for a nickel and he gave
her two bits. On this occasion he showed
her book containing obscene pictures
and told her things that are entirely unfit
for publication. At the conclusion of the
girls story, Mr.. Barlow asked that the
case be dismissed, as he said il was i'm
possible to secure a conviction under the
complaint and the evidence.
Opie was accordingly discharged on this
charge. The other case against him was
not definitely set for trial. The case pre-
ferred against Opie by the mother of Eta
Gribble will come up before Judge Dowd
at > o'clock tomorrow afternoon.