The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1912-03-19
Famous Allen Trials

Washington, March 19.-"Well do
l recall the Allen brothers" said
Judge James e. Boyd. ut was a year
and half ago that Sidna Allen and
his companion, Preston Dinkens. were
brought into my COURT was then sit
ting in the federal court at Green's
boro, N. Con a charge of counter
feiting
The day reached Greensboro ru-
mors were rife that l would never
have the satisfaction of seeing Sidna
Allen pay the penalty for his offense.
When the clerk opened court there
was a guard of five picked deputy
sheriffs sprinkled among the specta-
tors. They were men TO iron nerve
gun was child's play for them.
Needless to say they were armed with
Gun Men Surround Aliens.
"Sidna Allen was the first prisoner
of the day to confront me. He was the
loose jointed type Of mountaineer.
shifty of eye and ever with a sneer
upon his lips. A blue flannel shirt
rolled back at the neck exposed a
chest worthy Of a blacksmith.
Hardly had Allen faced me when i
chanced to glance through the win
dows of the little red brick court house
and remarked a score of roughly clad
men. mounted on shaggy mountain
ponies. bearing toward me at furi-
Gus pace. Quickly they dismounted.
tethered their ponies, and in sigle file
tramped into the court room. They
were there on business. but not the
kind prescribed in court ethics. AS
grim looking set / never saw be-
fore.
"Quick as flash the deputy sheriffs
HaHrandaH Tho cd
circle about them, and never took
their eyes from the dust-covered hip
pockets.
Allen Freed; Dinkcns Sent to Jail.
'Sidna Allen took the stand,
glanced about the court room until his
eyes rested upon his brothers and COM
panfons. and then feeble smile
spread over his furrowed features. He
knew his coup had failed. To the
charge of counterfeiting he pleaded
not guilty.
"Dinkens then came to the stand.
He shifted about. and seemed to be in
did he dare raise his eyes to the Allen
boys. In timid voice he practically
admitted his guilt. Witnesses were
there to identify him as the man who
had put into circulation clumsily
wrought IS gold pieces. Not a wit
ness we had would testify against Sid
ney Allen. Dinkens drew Ave years
and Allen was acquitted.
Later District Attorney Holton in
dicted Allen on a charge of perjury
IN connection with his testimony in
the counterfeiting case. I was deter
mined that l would get my man this
time. Threats were bruited about that
bullets would play as prominent a
part In the trial as musty law books.
Gave Bond, Judge Boyd Explains.
When took my place on the bench
I noticed that four of the Allen clan
were seated in the front row Of the
spectators benches and the walls
were decorated with lounging noun
taineers. My gun men were also pres
ent. but they were not lolling against
walls. We had the goods on Allen
this time. and / sentenced him to two
and one-half years in the penitentiary.
Not a murmer was raised: the noun
taineers left the court house without
giving their guns an airing. Every
thing passed off as calmly as a day in
June. Dollars instead of six-shooters
were produced, and an appeal bond
was obtained Cor Sidney Allen.
THE Aliens are a fearless family.
They will stop at no obstacles. and
the Judge who is not alert when one
OF them Is arraigned before him runs
a risk greater than ] care to take"