Rocky Ford enterprise., 1903-03-06
A. N. Nicholas In Jaii for crlmInal
Assault.


A. M. Nicholas. lawyer. and at one time
city attorney Of Pueblo. is now in the La
Junta Jail charged with a penitentiary
crime. Saturday evening Nicholas pur-
chased some candy for the eleven year
old daughter Of o. E. Adams and in
duced her to 60 TO his room over Turner'S
saloon by promises Of pictures. Mr.. and
Mrs. Turner have room next TO that oe.
eupied by Nicholas. Between four and
five o'clock Mrs. Turner heard the
screams Of the child in Nicholas room
and tried To open the door but found 1t
locked. Mr.. Turner was called. the door
forced open and the child rescued from a
brutal assault
Soon after Nicholas was arrested by
Marshal Baldwin. The news Of the as
sault spread rapidly and there was con-
siderable talk Of lynehing Nicholas. But
by good management Marshal Baldwin
got him on the midnight train almos. be-
fore the waiting crowd knew Of the mar
shal's movements.
During Monday more than tho usual
number Of people were on the streets.
many being present In tho expectation
that Nicholas would be brought from La
Jun,a for trial. Much quiet caucusing
was done and there was feeling In the
air that tho safest place for Nicholas was
in tho La Junta jail. Marshal Baldwin
gave tho eulprit good counsel in advising
him 10 waive examination and remain in
Jail.
Monday night there was a movement
made for the organization Of lynching
party at La JuntA. but tho firm stand Of
Sheriff Barr and tho absence Of deter
mined leaders prevented any marked
demonstration.
Nicholas has been q lawyer Of eonsid-
erablo ability. but what might have been
a useful lifo has been wrecked by his
patronage Of tho saloon. Tho crime for
which hc Is now In duranee was not
caused by tho sudden impulse Of bo-
sot;ed man. During past weeks num-
Dor Of complaints have reached Marshal
Baldwin Of Nicholas following girls in
suspicious manner. but his actions were
scarcely Of such boldness as To justify
prosecution.
A La Junta special TO tho Pueblo Chief
tain says: "Rumors that trouble would
ensuo that night were heard all day
Monday and Il was observed that mon
woro in tho city keeping close watch on
tho Jail. In the evening mon commenced
riding into La Junta from all points. Thoy
came singly and in groups until a large
number had collected. Sheriff Barr then
became alarmed for tho safety Of his
prisoner and took stops TO avert trouble.
or. in tho event that an effort were made
. ~ all k...t %. ,,(y3
ciont number Of deputies to defend It.
Twenty deputies wore sworn in and
heavily armed and placed inside tho Jail.
When Santa Fc train No. SOS arrived
from Rocky Ford about fifty mon alight-
cd. and soon joined the others. who had
arrived during tho day. Tho rinQleadors
seemed to be with tho late arrivals. As
the mob moved toward the Jail they were
mot by a messenger Of Sheriff Barr. who
informed them that tho sheriff was pre-
pared TO defend tho building. As they
persisted in going on toward the place
where Nicholas is inearcerated. Sheriff
Barr. wishing to avert trouble. again
warned them 10 stop. They sent back
word that they were coming and intend
cd to have Nicholas.
Sheih ooii topHoo. SoilV oh' WV
you had better bring tho coroner with
you. for you'll need him."
This reply Of Sheriff Barr seemed to
bring the leaders Of the mob TO their
senses, and a consultation was held. o.
E. Adams. the father Of the girl. ad-
vised them not to 60. and finally his
advice was needed. The mob apparent
ly dispersed. but the sheriff is taking no
chances and still has force Of men with
him.
Marshal Baldwin was Sheriff Bars
first Lieutenant in the organization at the
Jail TO prevent the name Of Otero county
being blotted by a second lynching. The
marshal says that during Monday even
ing Nicholas was quite apprehensive Of
mob violence.
In this terrible affiietion tie family of
Nicholas have the sympathy of the entire