The Delta independent. [volume] (Delta, Colo.) 1886-19??, 1911-09-29
INTERESTING STORIES
FROM THE COURT ROOM
Men Who Drubbed Hotchkiss Mar
shall Acquitted-McLea Also
Set Free.


on the criminal docket for this term
people VS.. II. l.. McLea, tried, con-
yicted and sentenced to term OF
twenty-five years hard labor in the
state prison at Canon City, two
years ago for completely in the safe
breaking and robbery of the Hotch-
kiss depot. and that of the people
VS.. Gordon Stoneburner, Clyde,
Lester and Verde Mcmillan, Lee
Savage, Joseph Head and Enos
Smith, charged with assault with
intent to kill VIM. Truesdell, town
marshal at Hotchkiss, on Christmas
day last year
This latter case occupied the at
tention of Judge ShacAelford' court
the greater part CT last week and
there were many persons present
from both Hotchkiss and Delta at
each daily session to follow the
testimony as given. The defend
ants are all young men-the sons
of well-to-do and prominent families
of the Hotchkiss district and it was
doubtless for this reason that more
that average interest was taken.
According to testimony introduc-
ed. the young men were out cele-
bratinE the mid-winter holiday TO
a more or less extent and were con-
cludinE the event with a sleigh ride.
They had a good team. plenty of
bells and made a merry race around
through the principal streets of the
town of Hotchkiss. Upon one occasion
when Marshal Truesdell concluded
that the speed limit had been eN-
ceeded and too much noise injected
into the enthusiasm of the occasion,
he sailed forth and checked the
driver and when the halt was per
fected one OF the boys jumped from
the sleigh and advanced upon the
officer for reckoning. Then three
or four others of the party came up
and the man OF the law was han
died pretty roughly for a few NOM
ents. He was knocked down and
jumped upon. according to the eVi-
dence given, and was finally picked
up in an unconscious condition nd
taker to his home where medical
attention was given.
Evidence was also given that the
officer dubbed one of the boys at
the outset of the trouble and that
this was why they took it upon
themselves to pummel the man wear
ing star and acting in official
The boys were arraigned in jus
tice Blackwell's court in Hotchkiss,
on the 27th day of last Decent ber.
just two days after the assault, and
were placed under bond for appear
ance at this term of the district
court.
At close of the peoples case and
on motion by the defendants attor-
neys, Vincent and Bell. Head and
and Smith were discharged for
lack of evidence duplicating them
with the offense and the charge
against the other defendants was
modified from intent to murder,
to assault and battery
The case was concluded on Sat
urday evening when the jury was
retired and court was adjourned
until Monday and a few hours later
"A sealed verdict was rendered,
which when read at openig of the
-, ,s-.a.
"'''"' ''' e"'' VI ''e
Inc case OF the people vs. IL L.
McLea was called Tor nearing AT
the opening session MONDAY morning
of TINS week or rather, lmedlaleiy
following SUBMISSION OF the Nerdlct
in the case above mentioned
McLea and James Black, ii will
be remembered, We're found guilty
of participation in the safe blow
ing and robbery of the Rio Grande
depot at Hotchkiss in August of 19-