RATON, N. M., Feb. 4, 1905.
COLO. TRACT SOCIETY, DENVER, COLO.:
I write to you to-day, and enclose a true copy of a letter from Chief Justice Mills, of our territory, to the sheriff of our county, who resides in Raton, the county seat.
In compliance with the request in Judge Mills' letter, Sheriff Littrell called on all of the business men of Raton, January 27, and notified them all to close on Sunday, reading the letter to each one, and of course I did not escape. I had a conference with the sheriff later, and presented my reasons minutely, leaving some reading matter to explain more fully the reasons why I could not comply with the request.
He was very lenient, and listened attentively. I informed him that I had expected this before now, and that when the time came for my arrest, I should not cherish any feelings of contempt against him, or other officers of the law, for fully discharging their duty, and that I would come along with him like a man. I asked for a copy of Judge Mills' letter, and send it herewith.
Your Brother in Christ,
E. K. CASSELL.
Santa Fe, N. M., Jan. 21, 1905.
TO MARION LITTRELL, SHERIFF OF COLFAX,—
Dear Sir: I desire to call your attention to the message of Governor Otero, recently delivered to the Legislature of this territory, and particularly to that part of it which has reference to the enforcement of what is commonly designated the Sunday law.
As peace officer of your county, it is your duty to see that this law, together with all others that are on the statute books, is vigorously enforced, and I call upon you to notify the people of your county, if any, who may be violating its terms, that this law must be obeyed.
It is also your duty to see that evidence is collected against any violators of this law, so that the same may be presented to the next grand jury which meets in your county.
Very respectfully,
WILLIAM J. MILLS,
Chief Justice.
In the County Jail.
Raton, N. M., March 31, 1905.
ELDER H. M. J. RICHARDS, PUEBLO, COLO.—
Dear Brother: The judge sentenced me to fifteen days in the county jail, and costs of court, which are $28, making forty-three days altogether in jail. There were two others fined the same as myself. The sheriff served the warrant on me Thursday at 11 o'clock, with a bond of $500. He said, "Here is what you have been expecting." Then he read the warrant, which charged me with "performing labor on the first day of the week, commonly called Sunday." I asked, "When shall I go?" He said, "If you say you will come, I will go back to the court-house, and you can come this afternoon at 2 o'clock." I went on time, and just about time for court to convene. Mr. Sproull came up and asked me if I was not going to employ a lawyer. I said, "No." Then Mr. Sproull said that he would; so he sent Mr. Studley. He asked me what I was going to do. I said, "I am guilty of the charge, but I want to appeal for extension to the next term of court." There was no time left to do anything before my case was called, so he stepped up, and plead, "Not guilty." Then my case was set for Thursday, at 2 P.M. (March 30).
I made appearance, and plead "guilty." The judge set the case for Saturday. I said that I could not appear on Saturday. Then he studied a moment, and set it for Friday, March 31, at 2 P.M. But he sent the sheriff after me to appear at 9:30 A.M. I went, and the judge asked me what I had to say. I said that I was a Seventh-day Adventist, and had kept the Sabbath; I believed I had a right to work six days, and that God commanded me to observe the seventh day; therefore I was working on Sunday.
The judge said, "You knew it was a violation of the laws of the territory?" I said "Yes." "Then why did you violate it?" he asked. I said, "Because I believed that I had a right to do so. Because it conflicts with the law of God." He then said, "You are like the Mormons, who believe that because God gives them a right to more than one wife, they are at liberty to break the law of the land?" I replied, "Having more than one wife is a civil offense, but performing honest labor is not a civil offense." The judge said, "Then you are like the Jew, who does not believe in God (Christ, I suppose), and keeps Saturday?" I said, "According to the Constitution of the United States, I believe the Jew has as much right as any one." He interrupted me, and said, "This Sunday work must be stopped, and the law enforced. I will sentence you to fifteen days in the county jail, and costs."
The court adjourned until August, 1905. I am exceedingly glad that I am accounted worthy of the "light affliction" now, and to suffer for the blessed cause of the Third Angel's Message. I have already been asked to make a talk to the prisoners to-morrow. They made the request themselves. I had beans, light bread, and apricots for dinner. Pray that the sheriff and his family may receive this truth, as well as the prisoners. Pray that I may speak, with boldness, the truth.
