Missouri Valley times., 1900-03-08
A Retrospective View.
[BY d. N. HARRIS I

- u.
Without desiring or intending TO in
troduce too much of self into these old
items, yet as there were few people in
our town. and We being the only edi.
tor here, but few things trsnspired in
which. i'm some way, We we're mixed in.
One incidel.t we can rever forget, for
we had for short time, all the feelings
of Q convicted criminal. and for time
we felt miserable. and we can never
entirely recover from the mental shock.
One evening while engaged at our
evening meal. surrounded by orr fam
lily. the door h.ll sounded and on going
to the dom, VIZ found VIM. Compton.
Deputy Shs ,if,, standing in front of
us We invited him to walk in. hut
he excused himself, and then said:-
I "Indge, I have very painful duty
to perform, no less than arrest to you,
and am ordered to bring you, forth
With, before Squire Simons, fer pre-
llminary hearing" Like drowning
man, it it is said, that every act of his
past life rushes to his mind in review,
and so with us, and although not vain
enough to claim to be saint, yet we
could not remember any act of ours to
justify this proceeding We asked to
be allowed to finish our supper which
was granted Our family we're alarmed,
and enquired the meaning of sll this,
but for the life of us we were unsble
TO throw any light on the matter, but
tried to look cheerful Supper conclu-
ded we informed the officer we were
ready to be offered up, and leaving our
family in state Of alarm. we started
for Squire simoas office. On rsachine
the Office we found the large room full
of citizens Of the town, and all seemed
to be in . state of excitement, but in
the crowd we noticed mapXof our per.
sonal friends whom we felt certain. If
We we're to be hanged, they would see
IL tenderly and decently done.
s.ni.e s. .i.e si.i; LIONS then asked US it we
were ready to proceed to trial? We
answered him in tho affirmative. and
he then proceeded IS follows: ut is
one of the most unpleasant acts of my
official life which am called to per-
form, having been long acquainted
with you and always regarded you az q
gentleman and good citizen, and i
hope that we may tind. on examination,
that no just cause exists for this trial.
This only made the matter the more
mysterions: Thomas f. Brsnnon the
attorney. then appeared. and asked US
,f we desired council. or did we propose
tn defend in personI We informed
him that as yet ve had not bean in.
formed of the nature of the charge,
and therefore we could not determine
what we would do.
| Up TO this time everything had baen
c ,Mdncted 80 real that we we're at q
loss TO decide whether we we're being
made the but of huge joke or whe.h.
er there was something serious in it
Mr. Branr Q \. then stepped before the
table and addressed us "A follows:
"Judge Harris the citizens of this
city. without regard to party, feeling q
just pride in your character. apd rec
ognizing your ability in advocating
the best interest of Missouri Vslley
and her people, and as small token
of their appreciation of your worth.
am instructed to present to you this
Offering, (presenttng it,) and ask your
acceptance of the same, hoping 1t viii
keep tab on you, ,ape ssRista- -.
properly" '''' '''n'
At the close Of the remarks he had
ed US beautifu watch and chain, in
scribed: Presented to d. M. Hsrri.
by the citizens of Missouri Valloy, 10.
September 18th, 1862"
Our reply was not in words, for w
had been so badly frightened by tn
first proceedings, and so proud of th'
outcome, that our speech was nushe,
In the general confusion, and IL it hs'
been delivered. it would have been 8
; disjointed that it would have stoppe,
the tick of "our" fine watch.
When we reached our home. tellin
our family that tho people only wante'
to put watch over US to keep us II
the straight and narrow path, and 8
We conclude, according to the old sd
. adge that "all is we'll that ends well.
Our young city has continued to i'm
prove. and from small village of
few hundred citizens it has grown t
prosperous little city of five thous
and intelligent, progressive people, an
the future is bright. In our next "
expect to call the roll Of the names O
the men who helped in the early day
Of our city and have passed over th
, dark river.
Ito be continued)
ro~S AE M ntS.