[Comments upon "Strange Story" in the Union, Carson City Pi-Ute article, reprinted in the Alta California, May 15, 1864]

 

[From the Pi-Ute of May 12^th.]

Comments upon "Strange Story" in the Union.

            That Judge Mott received $25,000 for resigning his position, we are not prepare to dispute, but to argue that he did it for Judge North's benefit, is to argue corruption upon the part of the President of the United States, who appointed, and the Senate that confirmed the appointment.  We understand that Judge Locke was indiscreet enough, after the argument, and before the decision, in the Chollar case, to suffer himself to become the feted guest of the Chollar attorneys and stockholders. This intimacy argues against the charge of corruption upon the part of the Potosi Company, as they had no communication with the Judge between the argument and the decision.

            As to the ride, the evening before the day of the decision, Locke started down to Carson in company with one of the attorneys of the Chollar Company, and one of the Chollar owners. Before starting, the Judge had, as we understand, imbibed freely. He drove. At the Texas Saloon, Devil's Gate, he ran into a team, got upset and injured.

            On the night the argument closed, Judge North was invited by Baron Stech, who was in no way connected in interest with either of he litigant parties. (but probably his sympathies were with the Chollar Company,) to take a ride to the Glenbrook House, and requested him, North, to invite along two friends to accompany them in their pleasure excursion. Judge North invited Judges Turner and Locke. Judge Turner could not, owing to business, go, but Judge Locke accepted the proffer, and, in company with North and a lawyer of Washoe city, the party of four gentlemen, in a double seated carriage, made the journey, and were immediately followed by two attorneys of the Chollar Company. Messrs. Stewart and Baldwin, Mr. Tozer, a stockholder in the Chollar Company, and Attorney General Edwards.

            Now, we argue, if there was corruption, it looks as though the Chollar rather had the advantage. After the rendition of the judgment by North and Locke, Turner dissenting, we believe that it is an admitted fact, that Mr. G. D. Roberts, who, we understand, is the President of the Chollar Company, Mr. Tozer, a shareholder, Mr. Baldwin and Mr. G. D. Hall, attorneys for the Chollar, went to the room of Judge Locke, in the Ormsby House, at Carson, and finding that gentleman confined by his injuries, occasioned by his upset, Mr. Roberts proceeded to accuse Judge Locke of having been bribed by the Potosi Company, denouncing him as a thief and a perjured villain; that he, the Judge, had robbed him, Roberts, of $250,000, and that he, Roberts, was a fighting man, and that he understood the Judge was, and for him to fix himself, as he calculated to insult him everywhere he met him for the next five years. We understand that a few minutes after, Judge Locke proceeded to the chambers, at the Court-house, and whilst there, Judge Turner, in company with Mr. Sandy Baldwin, came to Judge Locke's chambers, and while there, Mr. Roberts stated to a gentleman that he calculated to insult the Judge wherever he met him, and was than waiting for him to come out of the Courthouse to denounce him on the street. A gentleman went up to Judge Locke's chambers on business and found Sandy Baldwin and Judge Turner in the chamber with Judge Locke, and in the hall leading to the chambers, was a gentleman named Adams, the foreman of the Chollar; Humphreys, a Grass Valley Company man, and another man or two, who were pacing backwards and forwards in front of the door, as though in waiting for Judge Locke to come out. Under these circumstances, Judge Locke signed the modification. As soon as it was signed, Mr. Baldwin rushed down stairs, into the saloon, and seizing Roberts by the hand, exclaimed. "It is done!" Upon hearing this, Judge Reardon and C. E. DeLong, Esq., attorneys for the Potosi, went to Carson and learned these facts, as substantially before stated. They returned that afternoon to Virginia, and Mr. DeLong and Commodore Childs returned in the evening to Carson, and on their arrival they proceeded to Judge Locke's room, and informed him that if any violence was offered him he would be defended. No guard was placed by the Potosi Company on Judge Locke's door, nor was he approached after the argument for any purpose until this time, and then simply to assure him of protection, but the Potosi Company freely admit that, after that time, they did keep armed men at Carson for the openly-avowed purpose of protecting the person of the Judge against violence from any quarter, if it should again be attempted by any person or persons, as they feared it was the intention of the Chollar Company to coerce Judge Locke into signing a petition for a rehearing.  During that day both parties were there in force. That evening Sandy Baldwin, in company with a lady, went and procured Judge Locke to attend a dinner party, the lady being an owner in the Chollar. He was further invited by the lady to attend a party the same evening, at which Judge Turner was to be in attendance. He accepted the invitation, but subsequently changed his mind, and went to Washoe.

            The counsel for the Potosi Company declare the following facts to be true: That they attended the session of the supreme Court, argued and submitted the case in the regular way, and returned to their homes and business; at no time preceding the rendition of the Judgment, did they, or any of the gentlemen they represent, associate intimately or otherwise, with any of the Judges, and they, in their own names, and those they represent, challenge and defy the Chollar Company, and the whole world, to a full and free investigation of this matter.