Emmons County record. [volume] (Williamsport, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1884-current, 1898-10-21
attorney to advise and defend the county
officers in their public capacity, and pays
him for doing So.
Wants 70 Dis,n iss . Case.

Wants - DIs,mlss q Case.
In the summer of 1897 an assault was
made In the Williamsport postofice by
Robert Dickson and his son on F. II.
Cotton. The latter was struck with
cigar-clipper and badly bruised. There
was no doubt as to the evidence. There
was no question that the attack was pre-.
meditated. for to two men who asked
the elder Dickson why he had raised a
row in the postoffice he replied: "Be-
cause VIC couldn't catch him anywhere
else" The Dicksons were held to the
district court. under bond. Soon after,
Mr.; Cotton went to MINNEAPOLIS. to re-
main for several months, telling Arm
strong ne would be present when court
met. When the case came before the
court, the Dicksons' lawyer moved to dis.
miss It, The states attorney, instead Of
opposing the motion. agreed to it, and
said: ''As the prosecuting witness. Mr..
Cotton, is not here. and as do not think
there would be evidence sufficient for
conviction II he were here, l will not op-
pose dismissal But Judge Winchester
knew something of the facts in connec-
tion with the case, and he refused to al
| low 1t to be dismissed at that time. Mr..
Cotton saw that he could not get Justice
through Armstrong against the Dicksons,
who were the lawyers political friends
and supporters, 30 he let the case drop.
4 The following letters explain themselves
They show that Mr.. Armstrong, the
sworn public prosecutor of this county,
asked the prosecuting witness to consent
to q postponement Of the case, as he said
he was very busy; that the witness, to &C
commodate the attorney, consented. Fur.
thermore, as an inducement to Cotton tc
have 1t postponed, the attorney wrote
l hat n$ of Aon - !
be out of the county II the case was pu,
over to the spring term of 1893. Their
i be allows the case to be dismissed because
the prosecuting witness is not present
The letters of Hr. Cotton show that he wa.
ready to come at once il be was needed.
Following are the letters. The italics are
our owns.
Minneapolis, Mimi, Nov. 4, 1851
d. r. Streeter, Williamsport, N. D.: Dear
Sir: see by the Record that Mr.. Armstrong
moved the discharge of the Dicksons be.
4 cause was not there. This was quite a
surprise to me, as Mr.. A. wrote me that he
would rather not try the case this fan.
send you his letter, that you may see how ht
there but for his letter, as I was ready to 20
and wrote him that would go If he need
ed me. It rather looks to man up tire,
that he was in league with the Dicksons L
keep me away.
Note the postscript lin Armstrong; letter
Yours, respectfully. r. Il. Oorros.
| Minneapolis, Mimi, Nov. Ii, lSH.-
Judge Winchester, Bismarck, N. D.: Dea
Sir: ives very much surprised at MI. Arm
strongs action in the Dickson case, ~ il
was at his suggestion that was not there
He wrote me that he would be 80 busy tha
he would rather not try the case until mex
spring. have sent Mr.. Streeter the letter
and hope he will send It to you. Th'
state has clear case against the Dlcksons
and will be there at any time to give m.
testimony. ! told Armstrong that II wa
not there when needed to wire me, and
would be there in twenty-four hours. /
looks as though it was Mr.. AS plan to kee]
believe the Dicksons are his clients.
Williamsport, N. D., Oct. 10, 1s97.--F
H. Cotton, Minneapolis, Minn.: Dear Sir
saw Mr.. Dickson and spoke to him abou
the trial of his case. asked him if IL
would insist upon its being tried at thi
term of court He first said he wanted i
tried and through with, but then he said h
would not insist upon its being tried. is
hare so much or nlY hands, Ifhink I uOuz
rather put ii off until the spring term.
; will, however, leave it to you II you wan
; to come back, and try it this term. vii
move the case. Let me hear from you q
once. am very busy.
Respectfully, yours,
H. A. ARMSTRONG.
If II is Duf off. One Of his mifnssses-