The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1907-01-26
r H E We r DICT


have been Il metropolis today, accord
ing to the Dayton belief.
Boney Walker. grader. was up be
fore the justice of the peace charged
with assault with intent to Kill. There
was no other kind OF assault in Dayton
in those days. 1t was not such very
serious charge either. but there were
circumstances connected with this par
ticular case which made il a matter of
interest TO the whole community. In
the first place. no one except a tender
foot would ever have brought such a
charge against a reputable citizen
There were other ways of settling mat
tiers of dispute which custom had made
the rule. and the people of Dayton dis
liked to see such a radical change
Joe Perry. the tenderfoot who
brought the charge. had been working
for Walker for several months and had
never been able to draw a cent of the
wages due him. Not only that but he
he had in the world. and the outlook
ahead OF him was mighty blue. He
had lived on frijoles and wormy bacon
and slept on the ground when he was
out on the grade and camped in the
corral when he was in town. And all
the time he had been writing back east
to his folks, telling them that he liked
the west-it was such q free and easy
life, and the people were so hospitable
and easy to get along with, and his
health was better. 1t was all a bluff.
of course.
Walker was standing in front Of the
pOstoffice one day when Perry came
out with letter in his hand end a
suspicious moisture in his eyes. The
letter was from home. His mother
was not as well as usual. the letter
said. and things were not going on as
smoothly as they might. 1t wound up
by asking il he could not send few
dollars, as money was badly needed to
buy her the little comforts that a sick
person wants.
Perry plucked up courage and. ap-
preaching Walker. asked him for some
money. Walker pulled his revolver and
struck the rash young man vicious
blow on the head. That was his reply
"a characteristic one, indeed. 1t was,
in fact. such natural thing for Wal
ker to do that the people of Dayton
were surprised greatly to learn that a
warrant had been issued even.
1t must be understood that Walker
had a big contract with the railroad
company and was in debt to every
body in the town.
Justice OF the Peace Smith was not
only one of Walkers heaviest credit
ors, but he was on his bond also.
Walker wouldn't listen to reason at
all. He was guilty, he insisted, and
glad of it. Even when he was quite
sober early In the morning he was de-
faint and stoutly maintained that he
would have to plead guilty. So Justice
of the Peace Smith took him OF to ono
side and talked to him.
Look here. Boney." he said. don't
throw us all down like this. Suppose
have to send you up. Where are we
going to get out? You'll lose the con-
tract, and we'll lose our money. Never
mind your reputation. Stand by your
friends"
But Boney was obstinate and still
insisted that he was obliged to plead
guilty.
For the better accommodation of the
jury and the rest of Walkers creditors
court was held In the old warehouse
between the cabinet and the brewery.
The judge read the charge, with n
tinge Of sarcasm in his voice. which
he with difficulty managed to conceal.
The defendant waived counsel, and
the trial proceeded.
Guilty or not guiIty?" asked the
court.
The prisoner jumped to his feet.
'Guilty.' he shouted "And I'm sorry
didn't
The court interrupted him. THE
prisoner pleads not guilty." the court
said in blandest tones. not looking at
the prisoner. however. ''The jury is
instructed to bring in a verdict in ac-
,ordance with this evidence"
The prisoner sat speeches. for a
brief time. He was overcome with vio- |
ent emotion.
You're a liarw he shouted. getting |
upon his feet at last. 81 said GUILTY."
The court was entirely unmoved. |
Doubtless it was prepared for some |
such outbreak upon the part Of the |
prisoner. The jury will now retire
Ind prepare its verdict" the justice
aid calmly.
In the poker room in the rear OF the
.abinet the jury deliberated over its
-erdict. The expense was borne by the
curt, who had accompanied the jury
here.
Amid an Impressive silence. SO deep
hat the rattle OF the dice in the cab
net, where the Trenches were shak-
ng. could be distinctly heard, the jury
ook their places again.
Gentlemen, have you the verdict"
almly asked the court as he resumed
is chair, raised above the others by
be aid of two soap boxes
I'VE have" responded Big Casey. the
brennan.
Read It," commanded the court. as
uming an expectant air. calculated to
ispel any suspicion that the court
self might have been the real author
Z the document
Big Casey read the verdict 1t was as
i,,r1- Q,,a~ he rfc |