1915 Tales From Old Timers #4 – A Timid Justice of the Peace –

This Minot Memory on Saturday is for Monday, January 18th as I will not be at work that day

If a citizen was generally disliked, not effort eo disguise the fact was made, as in the case of one Justice of the Peace O’Rourke. This man was by no means popular, and a silent vote was passed to rid the community of his presence. O’Rourke was of a timid disposition, a fatal thing in those days. Although he was mortally afraid of firearms, as a protection he carried a rifle with him at all times night and day. A small whiskey keg was filled with gunpowder and placed under his residence as a gentle reminder that he was not needed. Although the bomb failed to explode, the scare was sufficient enough to cause O’Rourke to look for a new home. Shortly afterwards he left the district. Although unpopular O’Rourke held the office for many years.