Golden Valley chronicle. (Beach, Billings County, N.D.) 1905-1916, 1913-11-28

The state pardon board will
probably hold an emergency
meeting this week to try and un-
do the travesty of justice that
branded William McBain, 20, a
criminal for seeking in the only
way he knew to shield the honor
of his child bride, Margaret Me-
Balm, l6.
Seldom has a town ever been
aroused over a criminal case as is
Fessenden. over what its citizens
term the fragrant injustice visited
upon the boy McBain and his
pathetic little girl wife.
A prominent citizen of Fessen-
den wired a member of the state
pardon board that every resident
of the city would move to Bis
marck on the day of the pardon
board meeting if their presence
would help to free the broken
boy husband.
The story of the tragedy in the
lives of McBain and his child wife
was told in the Friday morning
Tribune. Following its reading a
storm of indignant protest went
up from Fessenden and the entire
eastern part of the state.
Petitions were circulated and
signed by hundreds of citizens de-
manding that McBain be accord
ed justice. State officials were
sent to investigate the case thor
oughly and the special meeting of
the pardon board was called as
a result of their efforts.
Indignation against District Ju-
venile Officer Blake, who pre-
ferred the charges against McBain
is at fever heat in Fessenden.
Blake is denounced as having
railroaded the boy without regard
to justice or humanity.
McBain met and fell in love
with the girl who afterwards be-
came his wife in Saskatoon, Can
ada, two years ago. Late last
summer, her parents refusing to
consent to the marriage, claiming
that the daughter was too young,
the two eloped and went to Fess-
enden. There McBain' 8 relatives
refused to sanction the marriage
on the ground that he was too
young. The two lovers then went
to Moorhead, Minn., but were re-
fused marriage license there.
In despair McBain, it is said,
secured drugs to avert the dis
grace that was threatening his
wife. A few weeks later the pair
went to Crookston, Mimi, where
license was obtained and they
were married last October. After
the wedding McBain and his wife
made their home with Henry Me-
Balm, the husbands brother.
Their happiness was short
lived, Blake heard of the case and
swore out warrant for the boy
husbands arrest.
Wednesday, with the sheriff of
the county, he went to the Me-
Balm home. The weeping girl
was taken into custody first by
Blake himself. Then the sheriff
arrested McBain. who was work
ing in a nearby field, the husband
was hustled into the front seat OF
the waiting automobile with the
sheriff, while Blake sat with the
wife in the rear. The two it is
said, were not allowed to speak
to each other. McBain was not
even permitted to comfort his
wife who was sobing and plead
ing with the officers not to take
away the man she loved and with
him all the happiness she had in
the world.
At Darlington McBain was hur-
ried away to Jail without, it is said,
being allowed even to kiss the
broken hearted girl good bye.
From Darlington he was taken to
Valley City. 1t is said that he
was told by Blake not to employ
an attorney and to answer with
out attempt at defense all the
questions that were asked him.
McBain, poor farm boy, ignor-
ant of court procedure and hall
distracted with grief already,
obeyed Blake without question.
Judge Cofey was summoned
to a room at a Valley City hotel
where McBain was held unde,
guard and there held temper.
ary court. The district attorney
read the complaint aloud to Nc.
Balm and he needing Blake's ad.
vice, it is said. made admission.
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