The Wolf Point herald. (Wolf Point, Mont.) 1913-1940, 1930-01-03
AN UNPLEASANT. DISCOVERY

In 1915 there were frequenl
complaints of a more or less if
responsible source that a certain
sergeant was drinking heavily
and the superintendent, before !
LETT on an inspection trip over
the district, directed that | spend
some time with the policeman to
ascertain whether or not the re-
ports were justified. | will not
mention the mans name, for up
to that time he had Served for
thirty years creditably, and he
came from a good family, his
father having been a reputable
Judge in Montreal. | arrived at
the post just at supper time, and
I found him sober. After going
over his various reports, l ques-
toned him about the absence OF
anv notations on Form 125, which
was a daily resume of crime con
ditions. mentioned liquor.
.Oficially, sir, there is no liquor
being brought into this district
he informed me.
Officially? What do you mean
by that?' l asked.
Il mean just that. Officially
there is 10 liquor in the district.
Well, unoficially then. what is
the situation as refers to liquor?
oh. that's different. You see,
when | hear of an Indian who has
a jug of liquor 1 go TO his tepee
and stay right there until it IS
all drunk up. l cannot stand to
see these poor Indians intoXicat
ed
MY, man." l exclaimed, once
it dawned on me that he was
making a confession, you are en-
titled to a pension. I'll be back
here in two days. l would sug-
gest. just as man to man, that
O have your resignation ready
for me upon my return"
He did. He had married a squaw
and had five or six children. He
is living there yet or his home
stead, so far as l know.
I am glad to testify that sim
liar cases were infrequent. 1t was
the only time 1 ever knew OF A
mounted policeman encouraging,
or even countenancing, law viola
ton.
Constable Burke, who succeeded
the officer I have just mentioned,
had a peculiar experience while
at that post. He arrested a boot
and he and the Justice of
Peace drove sixteen miles in a
democrat to hold trial. The on
upon restraining the traf-
liberty, had sealed up a
huge jar of whiskey. During the
trial it sat on the table before
the Justice, and Burke noticed the
solicitude with which the court
protected the jar from the pos
sibility of being knocked off the
stand. The hearing was held In
I small frame building which con
an attic fitted up as a
bedroom. The accused was found
guilty, and the liquor confiscated
in the name of the Crown. The
spectators as well as the partic-
pants had departed, leaving the
constable and the justice alone
n the building. With the air OF
/ man who had just made an i'm
,ortant discovery, the justice ex-
claimed:
constable, there was no evil
lence submitted at this trial to
that what is in that jar is
yhiskey! may have punished
hat man wrongly"
That's right, Your Worship. /
would suggest that you try it
low, 1 DelleNe YOU dio al ou1i
,rity on such matters"
please take it to the room up
I'd hate for anyone to see
ne carrying it. I'll go up and
it. It'll take me but a min
tie or two"
The Mountie did as he was
Sitting in the lower room
waiting the Justices return,
Burke heard a gurgle and then
he sound of the heavy jar being !,
.eturned to the table. A second
he heard another gurgle.
ollowed Immediately by a series
# them. For forty-five minutes
lie waited. The sounds coming
rom above told him of each
the justice hoisted the con
amer mouth-ward. Pretty soon
here descended deep, sonorous
The officer climbed the
teps to find the justice asleep
IN the floor, the empty jar held
.ar%essingly in the crook of his
lrm.
The constable waited until