The Duluth rip-saw. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1917-19??, 1919-08-09

Because he insisted on having
drink of water while working in a sum-
mer bayfield, out on Fred Ward 3
county workfarm, Patrick Orville Fox
alleges that he was kicked, choked, hit
over the head with q pitchfork and
then pounded with the fork handle.
Bruised and bleeding and hardly
able to stand on his feet, Fox was
stripped Of his clothing, shackles put
on his legs and then confinement for
three days and nights given him, with
half a slice Of bread and a cup Of
water for his meals, instead Of the
customary pancakes and sloppy stew.
When Fred Ward heard about the
rumpus between the boy and some of
the workfarm flunkeys. he was very
angry. Stern threats were made to
take young Fox to Duluth and see
that he was sent up for IS days for
indulging in trouble with the work.
farm employees.
Patrick Orville Fox became the
guest Of Fred Ward and his workfarm
helpers as the result Of pleading guilty
to q charge of reckless driving with
his automobile. When he became
Wards guest for 20 days he did not
really know the difference between q
tedder and moving machine, always
having lived in the city. He first was
set at narrowing with a horse. That
was followed with practice at loading
hay. After that, the young fellow
was given the task Of spotting stones
so that the driver Of the moving ma
chine could avoid striking them with
the sickle.
Capt. Butler, Fred Wards brother
in-law, was driving the moving ma
chine. When the water boy came
around at about 1880 a. m, Saturday.
June %, Capt. Butler drank up all the
water that was left in the pail.
The water boy refused to bring a
further supply, declaring that two
pals were enough for one forenoon.
Young Fox then said that he could not
work without water and started off
for a drink.
"Come back and 60 to work." called
Capt. Butler.
The young fellow hesitated and
stood there, being between two minds
as to what he had better do.
Just then one Nelson, teamster,
came onto the scene. He heard Fox g
remark to Capt. Butler to the effect
that he could not work without water.
"You can't sass Us men on this
farm" declared Nelson. "Come along
with me and 60 to bed. You young
ss Of a b-s from the city
| are too fresh. You think you can run
every place You como to.
"Listen, you blankety blank swede,
don u you call me that name II you
don Il want trouble" replied Fox.
"You dirty little bastard, IN call
you anything I want to-" Fox alleges
Nelson replied.
Nelson is represented as being =
big, bony, brawny man, around 80
wears Of age. It is also alleged that he
has served several terms at the work
farm and that he formerly was noted
hanger.out on Duluth's old bowery.
Fox Is only 10 years old and weighs
140 pounds. The burly teamster made
a rush for the prisoner and, apparent
". attempted to kick him in his pri.
vate parts. The brutal kick landed on
tbs boys groin. It was bruised, sore
and black and blue for days.
Nelson tried to land another kick,
bnt the boy grabbed him by the foot
and upended him so that he fell heav-
ilv on the back Of the neck and shoul'
ders.
The stronger, heavier, older man
soon was on top Of the younger man.
He proceeded TO biff him with such
force and effec. as to knock loose a
double tooth, natter up his face, aiser
hich he tri>l &C knock out the o5W:t
of his anger. .'-..-
Fox yelled Justify for another chap
to come to his help. Capt. Butler then
ran up and said to Nelson:
.You let this boy alone. He was
working with me. You were not q bit
concerned in this matter" 4" -
"I'n kill the little Of q
b-l" screamed Nelson. ....-.
Nelson then ceased beating Fox and
walked away. Fox then started for
the workfarm office in company with
Capt. Butler.
According to Iexs version Of the
affair, Hslsea then picked up couple