The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1904-02-20
WATSON WINS
GREAT VICTORY
DEFEATS ALL OBJECTIONS TO TAXES
or 1901. HIS FIRST YEARS TAXES.
VICTIM FELL ON HIS OWN KNIFE
ingenious Defence Of Stabber by Moriarty
Secures AcquittaI-Other News OF
February Term.

ed the February term of the circuit
court for Iron county and from that
time until Wednesday night there
was considerable work done. The
opening OF court was delayed on ac-
count OF the severe storm which was
raging and delayed the trains until
nearly noon. The first business done
was the calling OF the calendar and
assigning OF cases for trial. The two
criminal cases on the docket were put
on trial. the Guamo case being tried
on Monday afternoon.
In this case the defendant was
charged with stealing $40 from bar
tender in Notes a. Recla's saloon
He was asked to plead and the only
answer that he would give was that he
found the money. Judge Stone order
ed the plea Of mot guilty" entered and
appointed E. i. Lott TO defend him.
The case developed that the defend
ant and the bartender were the only
persons in the saloon, that the bar
tender had a pocket book in his pocket
which contained $40; that there were
also some important papers in the
book that identified IL as the property
OF the said bartender; that the book
dropped out OF his pocket; that the
defendant picked up the book, appro-
priated part OF the money to his own
use, destroying the pocket book and
other Identification marks. The de-
fendant couldn't convince the Jury
that he did not know to whom the
book belonged and after being out
few minutes they found him guilty as
charged.
The second case was that OF the
people VS.. Walter Lahti who was
charged with assault with intent TO
murder II was stabbing affair in
which the victim came very near
dying. Mr.. Moriarty appeared for the
defense and the case was called for
trial on Tuesday morning. The pro-
scouting attorney made out strong
case against Lahti but, to offset the
stabbing OF the victim by Lahti, Mr..
Moriarty developed that the fellow
who was stabbed invited the en-
counter and got the worst OF IL. The
jury couldn't see wherein the defend
ant was not justified under the cir
cunntance and cleared him. This
ended the criminal cases and the
civil calendar was taken up on Tues.
day afternoon, the case OF Fisk
against Ben Harris being the first up.
Mr., Morlarty appeared for Mr., Harris
and Mr.. Byers for Fisk.
Mr.. Harris virtually won his case
Fisk & CO. agreeing to take the
amount OF money rendered into court
py Mr. Harris. The abrupt ending OF
this case left an open afternoon and n
number OF small cases were taken up.
The first was damage case against
the village Of Iron River brought by
Pollock Of that place because Ut the
fact that the village didn't extend
sewer so as Go carry sewerage past his
piece. Mr.. Byers represented the vii
lage and Mr. Lott the plaintiff The
plaintifr suffered non-suit. Mr.
Byers raising the objection that plain
tiiT had not presented his claim TO the
village council The Judge made short
work of the case. Tax cases were next
taken up Mr. Sherwood asked relief
ON two descriptions In Mastodon town
ship which he claimed was assessed too
high. II was shown that they were SO
assessed and the relief granted.
Mr. Abbott next appeared IN court
with objections to taxes In Iron River
township amounting TO $500 In
this case Mr.. Watson won very neat
victory and received one Of the finest
compliments from Judge Stone that
any lawyer has received within our
memory. Mr.. Abbott had strong
case and after he had finished his ar
guments all present conceded TO him
victory. Judge Stone began TO rule In
the case In favor OF the plaintiff when
Mr.. Watson asked the privilege Of be-
Ing heard on some points which, to
his mind, ought TO sustain the taxes.
He made neat statement OF his case
and, 50 conclusive was IL that the
Judge thanked him for bringing the
points out and sustained the taxes.
The tar cases In Hematite township
were taken up after supper and about
an hour spent In taking testimony
uhen the Itdoe fhok The rnaffar nn.