The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-07-25
TWENTY FOR CONTEMPT
John Hill Fined Because He Was
Noisy in the Police Court.
HE HAD BEEN TOUCHED
Will Johnson, a Colored Man, Gets Six
Months in Jail and a Fine of
Five Hundred Dollars for
Touching Him.

John Hill, Swede, was not acquaint-
ed with court procedure up to yester-
day, but now he understands that it
costs money. to dsobey judges orders.
Yesterday he was fined $40 by Judge
j. NJ. Kennedy for contempt of court.
He will serve 10 days in Jail in lieu of
paying the fine.
John Hill had been out on drunk
Sunday evening and yesterday after
noon he had not yet thoroughly sobered
up. He was present in the police court
as the complaining witness in a watch
stealing case. Will johnson, a colored
young man, was the defendant. He
was charged with having stolen Hills
watch at o'clock yesterday morning
at the railroad crossing on Main street,
near Front street
Hill related to the court that he had
been out with johnson during the
evening and had got drunk. After hav-
ing gone about town, Hill suggested
that they take a trip to the bad lands
When they reached the railroad cross
ing Johnson caught hold of Hill and
both men began to WreStle A few min
utes later Johnson took hold of Hills
chain, pulled the silver watch out Of
the pocket and ran away. Hill said
that the prisoner at the bar was the
guilty party.
1t was with difficulty that Judge Ken
nedy obtained the evidence, as Hill was
not yet sober enough to talk intelligent
ly and insisted on relating irrelevant
matter. Hills testimony was given in
a very loud voice. Once Judge Ken
nedy asked him if Johnson had asked
him for the watch,
No yelled Hill in answer. He did
not ask me for it,
You do not need to yell" said Judge
Kennedy. you've only got to talk to
me and to nobody across the creek"
Officer McMasters said that he ad
been called on the case and that he
had gone to Johnson's cabin. johnson
at first denied having any knowledge
of the stealing Of the timepiece, but
finally he went into an adjoining cabin
and produced the watch from hole in
the wall.
The real fun of the afternoon began
when Johnson, the defendant, was tes-
flying Hill seemed to Re amused at
Lohnson's answers and he laughed loud
and heartily. Judge Kennedy told him
several times to stop laughing, but Hill
did not mind this and finally the judge
turned around and said:
Il will fine you $50 for contempt of
court and you will be committed until
the fine is paid
You'd better stop laughing" said
Officer McMaSters, noticing that Hill
had not needed the fine which had been
imposed upon him.
I'm make it $50 in a minute if you
don't keep quiet remarked the judge.
Johnson said that he had asked Hill
to let him take care of his money and
his watch until the next day for safe
keeping and that when he put his hand
in Hills pocket the latter offered no
resistance. Il intended giving the
watch back this morning, but = told the
officer that l did not have it, as | want
ed to give it to Hill himself" the wit
ness explained.
Johnson was found guilty and was
given the limit, six months in the coun-
ty Jail and a fine of $500. Johnson will
thus have ITO serve $50 days in addition
to the six months sentence.