The broad ax. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1895-19??, 1899-02-18
IN A TOUGH TOWN.
eoNEY WALKER INSISTED ON
PLEADING GUILTY,
An Incident In New Msxieo-Ths Justice
OF che Peace Was Deeply Interested
In the Case and the IntsnIrsnt Jury
Acted Accordingly.

rallroad that never was finished. II
tney had finished that railroad Dayton
would nave been a metropolis today
according to the Dayton belief, says the
Argonaut. Boney Walker, a grader,
was up before the Justice Of the peace,
charged with assault with intent to
XIII. There was no other kind Of as
sault In Dayton in those days. II was
not such a very serious charge. either,
out there were circumstances connect
ed with this particular case which
made 1t a matter OF interest to the
whole community. In the first place,
no one except a tenderfoot would
ever have brought such a charge
against a reputable citizen. There
were other ways Of settling matters
OF dispute which custom had made the
rule, and the people Of Dayton dislik-
ed to see such a radical change. Joe
Ferry, the tenderfoot who brought the
charge, had been working for Walker
for several months, and had never
been able to draw a cent of the wages
due him. Not only that, but he had
loaned Walker nearly every cent he
had In the world, and the outlook
ahead Of him was mighty blue. He had
lived on frijoles and wormy bacon and
slept on the ground when he was out
on the grade, and camped in the cor
raj when he was in town. And all
the time he had been writing back east
to his folks, telling them that he liked
the West-it was such free and easy
life, and the people were so hospitable
and easy to get along with and his
health was better. 1t was all a bluff,
Of course. Walker was standing in
front Of the postofice one day when
Perry came out with a letter in his
hand and a suspicious moisture in his
eyes. The letter was from home. His
mother was not as well as usual, the
letter said, and things were not going
as smoothly as they might. It wound
up by asking IL he could not send a
few dollars, as money was badly need
/ ed to buy her the little comforts that
sick person wants. Perry plucked
up courage, and, approaching Walker,
asked him for some money. Walker
pulled his revolver and struck the
rash young man a vicious blow on the
head; that was his reply-a character
istic one, indeed. 1t was, in fact, such
a natural thing for Walker to do that
the people Of Dayton were surprised
greatly to learn that a warrant had
been issued even It must be under
stood that Walker had a big contract
with the railroad company and was
in debt to everybody In the town. II
he could keep going until the bonds
were sold in the East he and his cred
itors both stood q chance to get their
money. To ask him for money now
was. Of course, an insult. What else
could 1t be? But perhaps the tenderfoot
didn't know that. Justice of the Peace
Smith was not only one Of Walkers
heaviest creditors, but he was on his
bond also. Walker wouldn't listen to
reason at all. He was guilty, he in
sisted, and glad Of 1t. Even when he
was quite sober, early in the morning
he was defiant, and stoutly maintained
that he would have to plead guilty
So Justice of the Peace Smith tool
him on to one side and talked to him
Look here, Boney," he said, don't
throw us all down like this. Suppose
have to send you up; where are We
going to get out? You'll lose the con.
tract and well lose our money Never
mind your reputation, stand by you
friends"
But Boney was obstinate and still
insisted that he was obliged to plead
guilty.
For the better accommodation Of thu
Jury and the rest Of Walkers CREDITOR
court was held in the old warehouse
between the cabinet and the brewery
The Judge read the charge with-a ting
of sarcasm in his voice. The defend
ant waived counsel and the trial pro
ceeded.
Guilty or not guilty?" asked tn
court.
The prisoner jumped to his feet
GUILTY." he shouted. And I'm sorr.
I didn't"
The court interrupted him. "Th
prisoner pleads not guilty" the cour
said, in blandest tones, not looking a
the prisoner, however. THE jury q
instructed to bring in verdict in &C
cordance with this evidence"
The prisoner sat speechless Tor
brief time. He was overcome with vio
lent emotion.
You're a liar!" he shouted, gettinl
upon his feet at last. Il said guilty!
The court was entirely unmoved
Doubtless It was prepared for som
such outbreak upon the part Of tn
prisoner. THE jury will now retir
and prepare It's verdict" the tustic
said, calmly.
In the poker-room in the rear o
the cabinet the jury deltberated owe
its verdict. The expense was born
by the court, who had accompanis
the Jury there.
Amid an impressive silence. 20 dee
that the rattle Of the dice in the cab
inet. where the Trenches were shah
inr could be distinctly heard. the jur
took their plaees again
wnF6frf 2