Elko independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1915-current, 1918-03-18

less than thrCe automobile mechanics
and five plumbers were called in to
get the bass section back into trim
again. During all this musical ne.
lange, however, the various squads OF
the Home Guards had been doing no
BILE work and had rounded up about
ten OF the enemy who made down
cast and ignoble appearance as they
stood eating dust and holding their
hats under guard on the main stem.
The band was again organized, not
really well organized. you understand,
but as fairly so as the stirring events
OF the day warranted, and headed the
procession back to the court house.
music pervaded the air and that the
parade was very mournfui Upon dis
! banding, the prisoners were escorted
under guard To the courtroom where
Judge Tabcr took hold Of things in
very undignified and unjudicial man
ncr, indulging in rcpartec with vari-
fashion that was most unbecoining a
judge. The prisoners looked worn
and dirty, as though they had had
hard time of it, and some were unable
even TO give their full names in re-
sponse to the first foolish question
from counsel for the government"
as he styled himself, although where
in Sam Hill he ever got the idea no
one was able to discover. Counsel
| for the defense were content with say
| ing nothing whatever. which was
probably just as well. The trial pro.
cccdcd with a jury fully armed and
/ with its mind made up to Swat the De
/ linquonts. The court assisted mater.
| tally in the prosecution. An intcrprc-
/ ter was found necessary in the case
| Of one of the defendants who announc-
| I'd that he could speak only the Pro
| fame Language. Harry Mayer was
sworn as an interpreter. but IL was
found that he could not understand
m" witness at ALL being entirely in
experienced in the language attempt
ed TO he spoken. so Private Clutter
buck was substituted and he acted
with entire satisfaction, giving the
witness answers a most clear and
accurate translation. The only inter
ruption that seemed unscemly was the
continual admOnition of the court
given to various people standing
around the room with guns to "scc
that as much disturbance occurred as
possible" and to take very good care
that the defendants had no rights
whatever" The fair and unbiased
manner in which the court heard the
case was asmattcr OF great comment
| after the proceedings were over. In
/ fact II was seriously considered shoot
ing the presiding magistrate along
with the dei.oqucnts. The case did
mot take long, counsel for the gov
lcrnmcnt" putting it in rapidly and
with very unfair means. 4 bombshclI
was thrown under the carefully CON
Istructcd defense when the chief coun-
sci for the defendants arose and plead
guilty for the whole crowd, while the
junior counsel supplemented the re-
marks Of the other by saying that no
matter what the prisoners got ii was
all right with him. After which the
jury retired as they said to "dclibcr-
I ate" upon their verdict, which was
very doubtful. however, as the verdict
itself savorod greatly Of insanity on
the part of all the members. In ac.
cordancc with the verdict all the de
; PENDANTS were taken to tho front lawn
. Of the courthouse and haif-shot Some
difficulty was experienced in subject
ing one Of them to the firing line.
: however. as he maintained the repu'
. tation of the fighting Home Guard to
tho limit. putting one other guards.
mans knee out OF Joint. and indulging
: in mean and wicked swipCs and re
. marks at the whole military organiza-
tion in general. claiming, and probably
III correctly, TOO, inai ~" Cuhlu LICK 'il
I all. one or even two at time" IIc
. was finally made 70 see the error OF
his ways. however. and was halfshot
along with the rest OF them At the
: conclusion Of tho affair the serious
! end Of It all was gone into briefly by
I: Attorney Van Fleet who explained
Z that the demonstration was merely
(: INDUCED in the spirit of fun anC
4 with the ultimate object Of kccpini
{ the Home Guards spirit aroused ant
7 It's members active Tho Afternoon
: was thoroughly enjoyed by all. II wa
& q mighty good thing to arouse tn
Z towns spirit and we hope that IN
= Guard will continue TO use its infl,
5 cncc In creating fun and good fellow
& ship among all members for man
Z years TO como.
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