Democratic Sentinel, Volume 1, Number 47, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 January 1878 — Did it in Self-Defense. [ARTICLE]

Did it in Self-Defense.

A young lady was visiting the family of Warden Batterman at the State Prison, a short time since, when Battlesnake Dick, who was out about the place doing chores as a sort of trusty, attracted her attention. Dick seemed so gentlemanly and accommodating that she could hardly believe that he had ever done anything that could bring down upon him the heavy hand of the law and place him within the walls of a prison. One day the young lady said to him ; “ What are you in here for, Dick?” “For highway robbery, Miss.” “Oh, dear me! Highway robbery! But you were not guilty—you didn’t rob any one, Dick ?” “ Oh, yes I did! I robbed Col. Stone.” “What! Col. Stone, of Virginia City —Col. Stone, the lawyer ?” “Yes, Col. Stone, the lawyer.” “ Why, Dick, what made you rob Col. Stone?” Drawing near to the young lady’s side, and casting a searching glance about the yard as though to make sure he was not observed, Dick shaded the larboard side of his mouth with his hand and whispered, “Sh-u-sh! I did it in self-de-fense.” The vineyardists of Southern California are discouraged, and many are proposing to out up their vines, beoause they oan only realise #5 a ton for their R»pe s,