The Blackfoot optimist. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1907-1918, 1915-07-22
CHAPTER XIV.

manded.
CHAPTER XIV.
The Honorable Abe Smithers was
not the regular Judge of the circuit
which numbered Hixon among its
county seats. The elected incumbent
was ill, and Smithers had been named
rs his protein. successor. Callomh
climbed to the second story of the
'rame bank building and pounded loud
~ on a door, which bore the boldly.
yped shingle:
ASA Smithers. Attorney-at-Law."
The temporary judge admitted a
visitor in uniform, whose countenance
vas stormy with indignant protest
The judge himself was placid and s,nil
ng. The lawyer, who was for the time
being exalted to the bench, hoped &c
ascend it more permanently by the
votes of the Holman faction, since
only HOLMAN votes were counted. He
was young man of powerful physique
with face ruggedly strong and non.
est.
Callomb stood for a moment inside
the door and when he spoke it was to
demand crisply:
We'll, what are you going to DC
about it?"
About what, captain?" inquired the
other, mildly.
is it possible you haven't heard:
Since yesterday noon two murders
have been added to the holocaust You
represent the courts of law. repre-.
sent the military arm of the state. Are
we going to stand by and see this Sc
on?"
The judge shook his head and his
visage was sternly thoughtful and
hypocritical. He did not mention tina,
he had just come from conference
with the HOLMAN leaders. He did moi
explain that the venire he had drawn
from the jury drum had borne singu
larly solid Holman complexion.
Until the grand jury acts l don't
see that we can take any steps,"
And" stormed Captain Callomb
the grand jury will, like former granc
iuries, lie down in terror and inactiv
". Either there are no courageous
men in your county, or these panels
are selected to avoid including them.
Judge Smithers' face darkened Il
he was a moral coward, he was a,
least coward crouching behind &
seeming of fearlessness.
Captain" he said, coolly, but with g
dangerous hint of warning. Il don't see
that your duties include contempt OF
court"
mol" Callomb was now thoroughly
angered, and his voice rose. II am
sent down here subject to your orders
and it seems you are also subject to
orders. Here are two murders III g
day, Gaping climax of 20 years OF
bloodshed. You have information as
to the arrival of a man known as q
desperate with a grudge against the
two dead men, yet you know of nc
steps to take. Give me the word and
I'll go out and bring that man, and any
others you name, to your bar Of justice
If it is bar of justice! For God 6
sake, give NE something else to dc
than to bring in prisoners to be shot
down in cold blood"
The judge sat balancing a pencil on
his extended forefinger, as though ii
were scale of justice.
you have been heated in your Ian.
guage, sir" he said, sternly, but it is
a heat arising from an indignation
which share. Consequently, pass it
over. l cannot instruct you to arrest
Samson South before the grand jury
has accused him. The law does not
contemplate hasty or unadvised action
All men are innocent until proven
guilty If the grand jury wants South
I'll instruct you to go and get him
Until then, you may leave my part OF
the work to me-"
His honor rose from his chair.
you can at least give this grand
Jury such instructions on murder as
will point out their duty. You can as.
sure them that the militia will protect
them. Through your prosecutor you
can bring evidence to their attention.
you"
IF you will excuse me-" interrupted
his honor, dryly, I'm Judge of how am
to charge my grand jury. have been
in communication with the family Of
Mr.. Purvy, and it is not their wish at
the present time to bring this case be-
fore the panel"
Callomb laughed ironically.
mo, l could have told you that be.
fore you conferred with them. / could
have told you that they prefer to be
their own courts and executioners, ex-
cept where they need you. They also
preferred to have me get man they
couldn't take themselves. and then tc
,ssassinats him in nay hands. Who In