The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-02-08
!. BUTTE News.
WITNESSES WERE FINED
Held Up by the Strong Arm of
the Law.
BEFORE JUDGE CLANCY
They VIII Dig Up Five Plunks Apiece
for Delaying the Proceedings of
the Court Time to Make
an Example.

there was a sensational hold-up in
Judge Clancy's court room yesterday
afternoon and six men were by force
and fear relieved of S. each. The VIC
tins were George Althoff, DR.. C. v.
Norcross. Frank Koontz, Louis Line
mann, Ben Olcott and John McCrim-
mon, and the ''robber'' was the strong
arm of the law welded by Judge
Clancy himself. The case of the state
against John Harrington had been set
for trial at 1880 o'clock, but when it
was called none of the witnesses re-
sponded to their names, and Judge
Clancy ordered attachments issued for
all of them and then adjourned court
until o'clock. Before the clerk had
started to make out the attachments
all the Witnesses walked in. When
court reconvened the Judge ordered
Althoff, Norcross, Koontz, Linemann,
Olcott and McCrimmon to stand up.
He did not ask them for an explana-
ton as to why they were late and gave
them no opportunity to offer excuses
Il have noticed" said the court, ia
growing Indifference on the part of wit
nesses about attending court on time.
l have been very easy heretofore, and
1t is time to make an example. Wit
nesses claim their attendance fees and
they ought to be here" The Judge re-
lated his familiar story about the great
expense of keeping jury and paying
the salaries of the court and bailiff and
said he found that he must do some-
thing. III I thought you were late
purposely I would send you to jail
would lay heavy hand upon you,"
he said, "but will be lenient with you
this time and will let you off with a
fine of IS each You will pay it before
leaving the court house,
IF your honor please" said Mr.. Line
mann, Il would like to explain why
was late. Our clock is five minutes be-
hind time, and
You ought to have good clock" in
terrupted the judge. Five dollars
would buy you one"
Koontz also wanted to protest against
paying the fine. He said he was in the
court room when his name was called
but he could not explain why he did
not answer.
Your hearing is good, isn't it?"
asked the judge.
Yes. it's good said Koontz, but
then added, Il don't hear very well out
of one ear"
'Well, you ought to keep your good
ear open,' was, the consolation he re-
ceived. You will have to pay the
fine
After court had adjourned the six
men made plea to the judge to have
the fines RENTED, but he declined to
do so and told them to pay or the sher-
lff would be instructed to take charge
of them. They then walked up to the
clerks desk and paid their fines, but
with very bad grace.
ITS straight hold-up," said one of
them as he paid his S..
Il don't care for the S. said DIR.
Norcross, ''hut some consideration
should be shown physician, who can
not leave his office at any minute. I
had been keeping track of the case and
had made arrangements to be called by
telephone when wanted"
Its pretty tough" said George AL
thoff. the prosecuting witness against
Harrington, "to have an eye knocked
out and then get fined. too, for being
few minutes late in court"
Clerk Hardcastle also had a kick
coming, for he discovered. after all had
paid their fines, that he was $40 short
in his cash. Some one had evidently
finn TANNED him.