Great Falls weekly tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1894-1???, 1895-11-29
PETER N. BAUM ON DECK
The Smooth Lawyer Indicted BY a
Grand Jury at Beaver, Utah,
For Adultery.
He Claims to Have Been Divorced
From Her Who Was His
Wife Here.

Peter M. Baum is in trouble. That
is no surprise; he always was.
He came to Great Falls in the spring
of 1880 from New York, where he had
been disbarred, and soon had the major
portion of the law business of Cascade
county. He lost it sooner than he
gained it. lie became a ommon drunk
ard and embezzled his clients money.
Disbarment proceedings were instituted
against him. When the referee took
the testimony Baum slanderously
abused the supreme court, and then.
after several days spent in hearing tes-
timony, refused to proceed further be-
cause the referee had not been sworn.
New proceedings were instituted, but
before the case reached the supreme
court Baum went to Chicago. where he
remained for some time. Wait he was
there the supreme court disbar,ed him
In one OF the most scathing opln ons ever
rendered by any court. Then Baum
went to Oklahoma, where he had a good
practice, and her he vent to Utah,
His wife, a woman who was highly re-
spected in Great Falls, had accompanied
him to the east, but returned to Great
Falls last summer
Baum gained the title of Judge in
his wanderings and il Utah had gone
democratic he, it was limited by Utah
napers. WDulH get a plIlm.
But it seems from a Beaver, Utah.
special to tho Salt Lake Tribune that
Baum has been at bis old tricks. It was
currently rumored that he seduced A
Great Falls girl and also that a married
woman, living on a ranch in Cascade
county, fell victim to his establishments.
The Beaver dispatch reads as follows.
"Quite a sensation was created last
night about 0 o'clock among the court
officials and attorneys when it was an
nounced that Deputy Marshal Tanner
had arrested Judge Peter M. Baum on
an Indictment for adultery.
1.-The news was soon retailed about
town this morning and all day has been
the subject of much comment. The in.
dictment under which the judge was ar
rested was found by the grand jury of
this court on the 3lst inst, and charges
him with having committed the oifense
with one Katura Smith Of Purowan on
Sept. 25 last. The bonds in the case
were fixed in the sum of $3.50, which
Baum has as yet been unable To foruisA
and so is in custody of the marshal.
sit appears from investigation that
Baum, on his way to attend court at st.
George last September, rode from Pare
wan in the same conveyance with Miss
Smith, and thus became acquainted.
lie paid her expenses at St. George and
showed her d great deal of attention
while there, and after court had all
journed they rode back in the same con
yeyance to paroWan, where Miss Smith
resides, and where she remained, and
Baum came to Beaver alone.
"Shortly after his arrival in Beaver.
Baum sent for Miss Smith, and il is said
that they lived together rs husband and
wife for L week or two, both claiming
that they han been quietly married ii
st, George. 1t is alleged that Baum,
under a promise of marriage and great
bOasting of his wealth, induced the girl
to live with bin, as the girl had hitherto
borne a good reputation, and had tccn
teaching school 10 Parowan for Il mum
Der Of years.
'olb DI tEo eFtnBDceS WnlCn tie gram
jury got hoid Of was a large sealed euNe.
Iope, on which was written ia kauas
Handwriting, viii Of Peter NJ. Baum,
to he delivered to my wife, Mrs. KatJra
Smith i}aum,' During ell of Baums
escapadae Ats above, he was drinking
pretty hard and soon spent bis money
and the girl was sent home.
Judge Baum came here last eprtoE
from Montana as q practicIDg attorney
since which time he has had a good
business, having been in nearly ESQ.
thirds Of all the cases tried in this cyGrl
since his arrival. He is a first class trial
lawyer, and in his demeanor about court
and with counsel he is very atfabIe and
gentiemaniy. To the officers about CJurt
With whom he has been associated, it be-
comes now unpleasant, at least, t. Dc
their part in prosecuting him and keep
ing him in custody, Baum has & VIE n
Montana. with whom he has not been
living for some time. He claims now
that he is divorced from her, but the
facts seem to be against him"