Tibbetts demanded a jury trial. The jury was chosen, and the prosecution opened the case by putting on the stand, a witness who had seen the encounter, and who proved to be a good witness for Mr. Potter. The case proceeded until the evidence was nearly all presented. At this juncture, in the back end of the improvised court room, a tall lumber-jack who was leaning against the wall, and who was considerably the worse for whiskey, cried out, "Your honor! your honor! I object to these proceedings." Everything was still for a moment, and all eyes turned toward the half drunk lumber-jack. Justice Williams attempted to proceed, when the lumber-jack repeated his calls and his demands to be heard. Every one present knew that any attempt on the part of the constable to quiet this man would have resulted in starting a general fight, where there were so many who were under the influence of liquor. Some one, therefore, said to the justice, "Your honor, you had better hear the man's objections." Justice Williams then said, "You may state your objections, sir." The lumber-jack replied, "I object, your honor, because that jury has not been sworn." This was true. The jury was then sworn, and the trial of the case was begun anew. The witnesses having again given their evidence under oath, the case was soon argued by the improvised lawyers. The justice gave a short charge to the jury, and, without leaving their seats, and while the spectators waited, they notified the justice that they had agreed upon a verdict of guilty. The justice fined Mr. Tibbetts one dollar, and this frontier court of justice adjourned. The question of the ownership of the claim was not before the court. My recollection, however, concerning it, is that Mr. Potter ever after had peaceful possession of the land. [Illustration: The journey had to be made with the use of toboggans. (Page 150.)] The ride up the Mississippi to Grand Rapids on the steamer Pokegama, which tied up each night, occupied two days and a half. The distance was one hundred and ninety-five miles. The steamer was crowded, and men slept everywhere on the deck, on their blankets or without them, as best fitted their condition. Whiskey and cards were plentiful. The table was well supplied with good things to eat. Grand Rapids at that time consisted of a steamboat landing, a warehouse, and a ranch or stopping place kept by Low Seavey, whose wife was a half-breed. These were on the left bank of the river just below the falls or rapids. On the opposite side of the river was a small store, a new enterprise, and owned by a man whose name was Knox.