The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1911-04-01
Preacher Was Humorous.

Preacher Was Humorous.
The morning was not without its
humorous side and much amusement
was furnished the high justices and
the spectators as well as the counsel
for both sides Rev. G. w. Burr of
Wolford, formerly of Devils Lake. was
the subject of much laughter. He took
the stand shortly before the noon re-
cess but succeeded in making things
lively while he lasted. He is a Saliva
ton Army officer and a Presbyterian
preacher.
The incident related followed the
shooting affray in which d. ], Bren.
nan was shot in the arm. He said
everyone in Devils Lake was agitated
over the affair, which was the general
subject of discussion, and he was con-
versing with Judge Cowan in the post
office about the matter, not knowing
1t was the accused jurist. He thought
Judge Cowan talked foolishly on the
question OF bottle of beer, not know
Ing the accused was presenting the
legal phase of the situation. Since
learning who he was he changed his
mind and saw through the legality of
N%@S SNSSNAC1As " LSA4 dShGu dis 10 Ills
opinion as to Judge Cowan's condi-
ton on that occasion, he stated he
believed he was intoxicated. Pressed
further in the matter, he said his opin-
ion was based on the fact Of Judge
Cowans fiorid complexion and that
he did not notice the liquor on his
breath or anything else that would in
dictate drinking.
In presenting all his answers Rev. Mr..
Burr was quite prolix and verbose,
using large terms and ponderous
phraseology, which George A. Bangs
requested him to eliminate and con-
dense his answers.
$50 many words are bothering the
counsel said c. A. Bangs. 800
TN admit it," answered Tracy r.
Bangs.
Attorney Cuthbert then took up the
cross-examination and asked the wit
ness if Judge Cowan asked him any
other foolish questions, and he said:
yes, because the judge stated had
no knowledge of the English language"
And do you think that was foolish ?''
asked Cuthbert.
Everybody roared.
Burr also stated he belonged to the
reformers of Devils Lake, when asked
II he were not associated with the
people calling themselves reformers.
The morning session ended with a
brief squabble between George A.
Bangs and Cuthbert which was pre-
cipitated when the former asked a
witness if the latter was not the at
torney for the defendants In certain
blind pig cases last fall. Cuthbert told
Bangs he better ask him, and said he
was not.
Afternoon Session.
]. p. Gill was the first witness called
this afternoon He first saw Judge
Cowan at Bisbee in October '09, where
he was running a hotel. He recited
how Cowan came to the hotel and went
upstairs with four other men. They
raised considerable disturbance and
the next morning the room they occu-
pied was In great disorder.
He next saw him in Devils Lake in
February 10, where the witness was
employed in an undertaking and fur
niture store and the Judge came to
look after the funeral arrangement for
Thomas Thoreson. Gill thought the
judge was intoxicated from the way he
chewed tobacco, smoked and spat. He
said the Judge offered him job to do
political work
1t developed Gill read law with Silver
Serumgaard, q bitter opponent of
Judge .Cowan. He also had discussed
his testimony with Attorney Wehe,
another enemy Of Cowan.
Cowan at Hanshoro.
O.. L. Sande of Hansboro was the
next witness. He testified that in Au-
gust09 he saw Judge Cowan in an
auto at Hansboro one night and the
judge had no coat, vest or top shirt
on, wearing only an undershirt on the
upper part of his body.
]. r. Crun of Hansboro was the next
witness. He also saw the auto party.
Judge Burr of the Ninth district tes-
titled regarding the Slaven case.
j. B. Lackerby. James Brown, w. A.
It. j. Clifford, all Of Hans
boro, are here to testify regarding the
auto incident.