The Elk Mountain pilot. [volume] (Irwin, (Ruby Camp), Gunnison County, Colo.) 1880-19??, 1900-05-01
Wrong Defended By Error.

communication, signed by James
McGraw, relative to the Rollo
shooting affair that took place in
Crested Butte some two weeks ago.
In entirety the article in question
is not substantiated by the facts in
the case, and has met with general
disapproval by the people of this
city who are in any manner familiar
with the details. And in addition
it is surprising that Justice of
the Peace should so far forget the
dignity of his position as to en-
deavor to condone palpable crime
against society.
Without entering into a lengthy
discourse, the PILOT will review
the matter in order that Judge
McGraw, who is an esteemed per-
sonal friend, may see wherein he
was imprudent and in error
He attributes our neglect of
mentioning the connection of w.
j. Morgan with the trouble to
brotherhood in the Junior Order.
In this he is mistaken, because the
editor is not a member of that
craft. Even if he were, it would
seem impolitic for the Judge to
cast such an innuendo upon the
integrity of an organization, which,
like numerous other orders, pro-
fesses grand tenets. And it is bad
grace to employ personalities where
they have no immediate bearing.
A weak case is signifed thereby.
The absence of any direct refer
ence by the PILOT was due to
unintentional omission rather than
to connivance towards any selfish
end. There was nothing to be
gained, for the reason that it was
no secret that Morgan was the man
who welded the cue. But he had
previously made friendly overtures
to Rollo, and even then was actu-
ated more by desire to obviate a
general melee than to injure him,
and was trying to get him to leave
the house on account of the men
acing attitude of the others pres
ent, who had all become incensed
at his stabbing. Gibson. This lat
ter itself was an infraction of the
law, which, as Judge McGraw well
knows, no provocation and nothing
but self defense will exculpate.
And, while we must confess that
Morgan was too drastic in his ac-
ton, it would in no manner exten-
uate the enormity of Rollo's offense
in coming out upon distant street
and deliberately firing shots at
three innocent parties and all 9th
ers who CHANGED to cross his path.
This, and not his stabbing of Glib
son or resistance of the officers, is
the serious part of his transgression
of law and order needed for the
protection of society.
Judge McGraw erred further in
his statement that Rollo had never
been involved in any other trouble
during his seven years residence
in this city. Facts controvert this.
On one occasion he fired shot at
an Italian in Welch's saloon and
he has been principal in several
rows in which weapons figured.
He was feared as dangerous man
by large number of people, among
whom were countrymen of his own.
Inquiry among acquaintance and
associates developed and authenti-
Gated this.
The PILOT has no occasion to
misrepresent anything or anybody
in connection with this circum-
stance. 1t is not so narrow minded
as to permit prejudice to dictate
its course. Its statement was i'm
partial and generally correct lex
cepting that we were wrong liz
stating that Rollo was aided by
companions), as is thoroughly
attested by local knowledge and