Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1903-10-21

as to the preliminaries leading up to the
fight. Bridge says he went over to
MaddOx's field where he was at work
to reason the wheat proposition, that
Maddox cursed him as soon as he
(Bridge) spoke and came toward him
in threatening manner with the fork.
He admits striking the first lick, but
otherwise he says he did nothing and
Maddox beat him into insensibility be-
sides breaking his arm and otherwise
bruising him. Maddox, however, tells
different story. He says Bridge came
to him while he was hauling wheat
from his field. in an abusive manner,
that he offered to show Bridge where
his wheat had washed into his
(Brldge's) pasture, and where the wheat
had been laying. that Bridge cursed
him, using the favorite epithet in usu-
al word warfare, that he (Maddox) re.
turned the epithet and that Bridge then
struck him violently on the side of the
head with his fist. His ear was cut
and he bled from inside the ear. He
then struck Bridge with his fork two
or three times. He said he did not
know at the time that the arm
was broken and had no intention of
doing anything except defend himself.
From the evidence it Is clear that
Bridge was the aggressor and it is also
clear that be very likely went to Mad
dox to find trouble. It is clear too that
Maddox lost his head and beat Bridge
much harder than 1T was necessary to
do, that he was very angry and did
what he would not have done in his so,
ber moments. It was very unfortunate
that he had a pitchfork in his hands
at the time. On the other hand there
Is no doubt that If Bridge had had the
fork Instead OF Maddox, the latter, in
stead of the former would be nursing
a crippled arm.
Messrs. Bridge and Maddox are OK.
cellent citizens. It is very unfortunate
! that they have gotten into this trouble.
The sensible and proper thing for them
to do Is to get together and settle their
difficulties and live peaceably and
neighbOrly.
The following persons composed the
the jury:
e L McCracken VIM Shuts
Z Evans Henry Warhstaff
FCStOne Olaf Olson
| H Marshall AD Baldwin
6 F william F COlborn
TN Kidd 20 Wheat
A. L. Noble and j. n. Tincher pros.
ecuted and G. NJ. Martin and E. Sam.
pie defended.
| AS result Of this case J. B. Best Of
HazeltOn came near getting into trou-
BILE. He WAS witness for the defense
and was here the day before he was
needed. That night he went home and
was not on hand the following morn.
Ing. In response to . demand for his
appearance by deputy sheriff, he stat.
ed that he was sick and would not
come. This did not please Judge Gill
lett very well and he ordered an attach.
ment issued forthwith. When the
deputy sheriff got here with him late
Saturday night tho case had been sub.
mitted and he wss not wanted so far
~ his evidence was concerned, but
Judge Gillett reprimanded him and
fined him . sum amounting to tho costs
OF serving the attachment. Afterwards,
however, he WAS more merciful and
RENTED the fine. Mr.. Best did not
realize the onormity Of tho offense and
will probably be careful not to repeat
the mistake. He Is q hard working
man and his wife 10 in poor health. He
was not well himself but not too sick
TO eb0y q subpoena.
The case OF the State vs. Mary Ora.
ham was dismissed on motion of the
county attorney. Mary Graham was
arrested on complaint of the county az
torney In August. She was charged
with trying 70 assist John Tyree to get
away and escape punishment. There
was never the r0motsst idea in any
bOdy's mind that she was guilty, for
Mary was Tyree's aYowed enemy ever
since she was In official custody. The
fact Ia the matter 10 that the county
attorney failed to commit her a. q wit
ness properly at the sims Of Tyree's ar
rest and the felonious charge Was
trumpod up in order to hold her. The
arrest was great injustice to the girl
and an inexcusable cost on the county.
Orville Robinson pleaded guilty to
( grand larceny and was sentenced to the