The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-01-15
M IssOULA n
~ IERCANTILE w.
MISSOULA. MONT.
OUTRAGED JUSTICE.
Little show for the Man Who Hunted
Squirrels With n shotgun.
MISSoULA. MONT.

Little show for the Man Who Hunted
Squirrels With n shotgun.
From the Chicago Record.
There was a murder trial in progress
in one of the county seat court houses
in the mountain districts OF West Nir
ainia one day. and things We're going
pretty badly for the defendant. in
fact had the hearing closed without
The testimony of Peter Van Nlack Wall
dow. the prisoner would have been con-
demned out OF hand But the states
attorney, 10 show the truth of one of
the minor assertions of one of the minor
witnesses. called Peter Van Nlack Wal
dow to the stand.
Mr. Waidow was a city man who had
come up from Parkersbure for a little
sportsmanlke shooting in the noun
lains, and ii Was expected that he
would be able to tell what kind ot
weather was current in the vicinity Of
the place of homicide on the day in
question.
II vas walking through The woods,
said the youth. looking for squirrels.
III wa clear day, and | could see half
il n4ss ahead with distinctness just
az | reatEeu this ridge. ] pulled UP my
gun for | saw "A squirrel sitting on
limb ahead | let him have the first
barrel. and. that failing. | gave him"
CONSERVATION IN the court room. jury
wildly excited.
just give the facts about the wealth
or. Mr.. Waldow. said the states at
torney nerSousls. II was clear. YOU
say
Yes. sir: clear enough for me 10 see
the squirrel and open on HIM With the
first barrel
That will do. Take the witness.
said the prosecutor With some show
of concern.
The defendants attorney took the
witness.
You say you gave the squirrel the
first barrel he asked.
Yes. sir
And. failing 10 get him. you gave
him the second a'
Yes
4 take il that yon we're using don-
ble-harreled shotgun
MaldoA said III MAS.
That's all. the defendant ; counsel
observed. Then turning 10 the court
II move a dismissal, Your nonor. When
1T comes to pass that a West Nirginians
life. the lie of q trae West Nireinian.
is TO be sworn away by man who con-
fesses that he hunts squirrels With a
shotgun double barreled shotgun at
fhat-and. moreover. that he shoots
both barrels at the squirrel before get
ting IL. then. your honor. | claim that
justice and right have vanished out of
the land.
The judge then asked the states at
forneY II he had any authorities 10 offer
in opposition 10 the suggestion of the
defense. and the prosecutor humbiy ae-
knowledged that he couldn't contest the
point. So the case WAS dismissed and
the defendant exonerated. In the mean
time Mr.. WaldoW. acting on the adj
vice of the states attorney, nae made
OF over the mountains.
You made q mistake. gineral," one
of the members of the jury said to the
defendants counsel shortly afterward.
You made a mistake and disappointed
the jurors considerable by not lettin'
the decision go 10 the jury
Why. Bill YOU don't mean To say
that you would have found Hank
guilty on the testimony Of man who
shoots squirrels with a shotgun p
t.Lordy. no. But Ne had our own idy
We would have found that shotgun
crifter guilty Of the murder hisself. an
had him hung forthwith an immediate
which would a been justice. / tell you
gineral you made a mistake. an kept
US from squarin' up outraged justice. =