The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1932-09-30
CHAPTER XI
Dunwig's Park


called upon for music on all patriotic
occasions such as ball games and
Fourth of July celebrations. The
man who played the big drum was
Medford, clerk at Basford's emporium.
Him the owner Of the Flying Wy
pressed into service.
They repaired to the steps Of the
courthouse.
LET her go, son." Mccain ordered.
kinda slow an steady"
With heavy measured strokes Med
ford beat the drum. The sound Of it
filed the night. 1t arrested the atten-
ton Of every man and every group
within hearing. All knew 1t was call
to gather for concerted action. Within
three minutes the courthouse square
was full.
The slow reverberation of the drum
died down. Peter Mccain began to
speak. The gift Of winning an audi
ence was native to him, perhaps in
herited from the ancestors who had
come across from the Emerald isle.
Before ne had been speaking three
minutes he was not only one of the
mob but its accepted leader. His as
sumption, to begin with, was that
Stone must pay the penalty of his
crime. But Mesa was, he claimed, a
law-abiding community. II did not in
tend that killers should come in and
shoot down it's citizens. All it wanted
was to make sure of the fact before
it proceeded to summary justice. To
that end court must be organized
and the accused man tried. If he was
found guilty of dry-gulching Tom Nc
ing the range rider chance for his
life, he ought to be executed promptly.
whats the sense in wastin' time
on a trial when he admits he did II"
a voice shouted. "We'l hang him first
an you can try him afterward."
"Come up here, Kelly Brown" the
big voice of Mccain doomed. "Don't
hide back there, but come up and tell
me that to my face"
The man was hustled forward,
against his desire. He was one of the
hangers-on at Pedro's place, and his
reputation was not good.
Peter caught him by the arm and
dragged him up to the top step. "Now
tell us yore idea Of what's the right
thing to do" he ordered.
''Well, he's guilty, amt he? What's
the use oratin' about it?"
"Tm talkin' about a trial. You say
hang him first an try him afterward.
Is that giving him square dealT'
did he give poor Tom a square
deal?" the man asked doggedly.
That's what we're here to find out
How about the time you were arrested
for blotting the Circle Lazy FL brand?
Would you have enjoyed being hung
first an tried afterward?"
A laugh went up at Browns ex-
pense. Better give him a trial,
reckon" he conceded sullenly, caught
in trap from which there was no
escape.
When Mccain appealed to the
amused crowd few moments later
his suggestion was carried by a large
vote. After all, there would be more
entertainment In trying the Texan
before they hanged him.
A committee was appointed to guard
the prisoner when he should be
brought out, after which Peter Nc
Cam went to the Jail alone, waving
a white handkerchief.
The deputy sheriff admitted him.
Mccain followed the officer to the
room where Stone, Yerby, and Wilson
were waiting. He explained the facts
briefly.
Rand shook his head. "No, sir,
amt givin' up my prisoner to be tried
by any mob. If you want him you'll
have to come an take him."
How about it?" asked the ranch
man, appealing to Stone. II named
the committee that will guard you.
Good men. all of 'em. They'll stand
put. Question Is, have you got a case
good enough to stand a fair trial?
But I'll tell you this straight it's that
or lynching. and you take yore choice"
81 killed him hecauso no uoodod