The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1895-01-07
BUCHANAN'S SIDE OF 1T.
He Says He Never Pleaded Guilty of
Breaking Onerheim's Face.
To the Editor Of the Standard:

To the Editor Of the Standard:
For the past three weeks have been Sc
yerey criticised in regard to my trouble with
John Onerhem should the facts as first stated
be true. l have been treated very fairly, in fact
tendery. for a man that would use any kind OF
a weapon on another so long rs he had chance
to protect himself without its use should re-
ceiVe no mercy. The story as circulated IS that
Onerhem came up TO stop game OF cards
protect" Mcfarland from being robbed. They
say that as soon as he told us 10 quit immedl-
atey jumped up, and While no sat In chair,
slashed him with steel knuckleS or some other
deadly weapon.
was arrested the following day for assault
with deadly weapon. | waived the reading OF
the complaint and pleaded not guilty. Neither
the court nor Mr.. Winston dreamed of putting
me under a bond at that time, notwithstanding
the fact that my so-called friends Claimed that
Onerhem was about to die. Why was it?
Simply because Judge Rockwell and MIR. Wins
ton knew TO their own satisfaction that | had
done nothing TO justify me In attempting TO run
away.
Two days after the trouble saw Mcfarland.
and he stated 10 me that he did not remember
than he appeared. said to him: "Mc, some
Of those fellows have been talking to you" He
said they had not / asked MIN II he would re-
member when he got sober, as he was still
drunk lie said he might. l told him. FOR
Gods sake 90 and get sober; this leaves me IN
a nee boX!" Up 10 IN time / never thought
10 nave an attorney, but now thought Il time,
as the only witness had claimed not TO know
anything about the affair.
That afternoon had to put up a bond Tor my
appearance when called upon 10 answer before
Judge Rockwell. Judge Winston explained TO
me Unat he had no idea II was necessary. but
that the feelings Of a portion OF the public
ought TO be looked after. II IL was not for that
portion OF the public the charge would never
have been preferred against me. as there was
not the slightest particle OF ey dence to prove
the charge, and Mr.. Winston moved that II be
dismissed. which motion WAS granted by the
court.
There was Immediately another complaint
filed. charge OF assault and battery this time;
quite a difference, so much lighter that | sup
pose they thought that would be willing TO
plead guilty TO i. whether was or not, so as 10
quit the affair. | did not have quit enough
vet and q change OF venue was granted, Judge
Rockwell sending IL 10 Judge Manan's court
Here the case was commenced on Dec. 81. and
thy wanted continuance until Jan. 1. | OBJ
iected As | expected 10 20 10 work before that
time. 5ut the ease was continued 10 Jan. 4
Several friends came 10 me and told me TO
plead guilty 10 assault and battery and let IL
drop. as q good m NJ people would ST. ] think
me cui " eyenU beat the case, and laughed AZ
ne when tod them that | was not even guilty
OF assault, ALI 1g-h / admit that struck On-r-
helm more Khan once. / explained TIE whole
situation 10 them and they stil insisted that Ir
wa~ bees. 90 pie q guilty and lat the matter drJp.
went before Judge Ma-Iu and SAID lt De would
allow UH 20 ua-e Is statement ui the case I
w0ud lead -ullty. he said / hal That right.
and ] told how Mcfarland and / were PLAY
cards 10 E0-kHt-'s ana bu-glrlu came q stop
tie sane. TOLD L.m we La IusEe.t'> permits
sion, and OutrLe.m said Il an running tals
room I said 10 him. 'Well, We viii pay any
way He sa.dt NO yCI won't, and sraspef