Justice Spencer binds Dick Risdon Over to District Court on a charge of Assault With Attempt to kill Wm. Skinner.
Starchus M. Spencer, proprietor
Chief Justice ✭ High Sheriff
Justice of the Peace
Mayor ✭Reporter
In the years following the demise of Plum Grove, Butler, Kansas, the Spencer brothers relocated to Newton, Harvey, Kansas. Attracted there by the allure of the railroad, which had eluded them in Plum Grove. At the time of their arrival, Newton was still a wild and wooly cattle town known for gunplay in the streets, fisticuffs in the myriad saloons, and violence spilling into the community.
Times were changing, though, and the evolving populace would temper the wild and wooly reputation Newton had earned in its cowtown years.
This was opportunity knocking!
Perhaps it was in the genetic code for the next generation of the Spencer clan, wherever home may find them, should be involved in some branch of local government, be it judiciary, etc. etc. “A Star Cus” Starchus Spencer’s heir apparent was his nephew, Leeds P. Spencer. He was elected to the bench in the 1880s and held sway for many years handing down judgments, as in the scandalous case documented in the article below from the Newton Daily Republican (Newton, Kansas) dated Sat. 23 Jan 1897.
The Risdon trial, which was in progress before Justice Spencer yesterday, was grinding along the greater part of the forenoon today. Crowds of young men and some of their fathers congregated to hear the testimony. Some who were not in the habit of that self-denial refrained from smoking cigarettes for hours, choosing rather the excitement of the court to their usual amusement.
The galaxy of youth and beauty represented by the feminine portion of The witnesses was the drawing card, and although Mrs. Lou Blake and Jennie Risdon were tho only ones among the women who appeared on the witness stand, there were others subpoenaed and present throughout the trial. Some were considerably disappointed as the testimony was not so racy as they had hoped it would be. Lou Blake furnished the most of the amusement and among other things testified that she “was no spring chicken” which was accepted without cross-examination.
Risdon was tried for assaulting Wni. Skinner, with intent to kill. Skinner and Risdon are brothers-in-law, wore calling upon Mrs. Blake when the fight occurred. Justice Spencer decided that the evidence warranted binding Risdon over to the district court and placed his bond at $200. The relationship had not been raised at three 0’clock this afternoon.
John Pherson and Mrs. Blake who were implicated in the affair will not have their trial until February 4.
𝚨nything for A Quiet LifeΩ 