Rocky Ford enterprise. (Rocky Ford, Colo.) 1887-1950, 1902-07-11
LIQUOR SOLD TO
INDIAN BEET THINNeRS.
Gus Hansboro Fined $50 for Selling
Red Men the White Mans
Beverage.

Justice Harris court was crammed
Tuesday afternoon with a perspiring and
motley crowd OF persons variously inter-
ested in the trial of Gus. Hansboro,
charged with selling liquor TO Indians.
There were Indians. Mexicans and Amer
icanos OF many shades OF complexion and
pedigree; there were gray-haired men
and tow-headed youngsters. They squat
ted on the floor and rubber-necked
through the windows and doorways, until
the court room air became sitting and
the Court had to order them of in order
TO get ventilation. The interest hedging
around an intoxicated aborigine was
something unusual-or else IL was an I'M
usually good day for loafing.
The prosecution called E. F. Weide-
meyer, who is contractor OF Indian
labor for the beet fields. 10 testify TO the
fact that these Indian wards OF the nation
had been brought here from the Navajo
reservation. that they were genuine
goods, yard wide and blaek-haired; and
that they had been drinking something
stronger than cold coffee and lemon pop.
The prosecution also called half dozen
witnesses 10 prove that said Indians were
seen lying about the doorways and back
yard OF the "oliye Branch" saloon in a
more or less fiy-blown condition. and that
all the general symptoms pointed toward
beer and whiskey. Two or three wit
nesses swore that they saw Indians in
the Olive Branch putting bottles filled
with what looked like fire-water into
their hip pockets. and Mr.. Hansboro and
his bartender engaged in making change
for them. Another witness swore that ne
saw three Indians standing AZ the bar
with beer glasses in front Of them. and
that their glasses were filled from the
same fSueo; that he bought his beer from.
Marshal Baldwin swore 70 taking bottle
Of whiskey from an intoxicated Indian.
and that he had been called upon in his
official capacity to take care OF a number
Of Indians who. after the recent pay day
in tho beet fields. seemed 10 have some
thing wrong with their legs. and TO be
acting in manner very Ike 70 white
men when they are called drunk.
But in the face Of all this evidence
Attorney Tom Hoamire undertook to
persuade the eour, that the charge Of
selling liquor 70 tho Indians on tho part
Of Mr.. Hansboro was an unwarran,ed
assumption: in short. a damaging reiiee-
ton on the name and character Of good
and law-ablding citizen.
In the frs, place he undertook 10 con-
vince tho several witnesses called that
they didn't know an Indian when they saw
one. And no came very near compelling
tho admission that nobody could swear
that an lnian is an in!an unless he
knew tina; said lnidn came Of pedigreed
stock and was duly registered in the herd
book.
IN. other poin; raised by tho counsel
for tho defense was that none Of the
witnesses had tasted tho liquid they saw
sold TO tho alleged Indians, and that I,
nigh, 10 cold tea or Iron Brow" for all
they knew. He put several witnesses on
tho stand TO swear that they never saw
Mr. Hansboro soil Intoxicating liquor TO
Indians. And Mr. Hansboro wen, on the
stand himself and said no hadn't done so.
Blu, In the face Of all this tho Court
got tho impression that tho defendant;
must have done so. though ho might
have done Il in his sleep. So tho Cour;
imposed fine Of $50 and costs.
lir. Hofrniro gave notice Of his clients
intention 70 appeal tho case to a higher
court
Query; Why should not tho govern
mont protect tho white people from tho
Generalization Of whiskoy. tho same as
It does the rcd man9