Page:North Dakota Reports (vol. 48).pdf/149

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MASON v. UNDERWOOD
125

Mason was asleep, Mason was awakened and placed under arrest by Moran. As he was leaving ‘the premises in Moran’s custody, he ordered the drayman not to move the tent, whereupon they desisted. Moran took Mason to the office of Underwood, where there was some discussion concerning the tent.

The testimony of Underwood and of the plaintiff Mason is conflicting as to what transpired there. At the time of the trial Moran was out of the state and his testimony is not in the record. Underwood claims that he expressed the opinion that the Masons were not in legal possession of the premises, that Harper had a right to obtain the tent, and that if Mason interfered by way of assaulting any one taking the tent he should be arrested. Mason testified in substance that on entering Underwood’s office Moran advised Underwood that he had Mason there to do with as he (Underwood) directed, whereupon Underwood asked Mason if he refused to give up the tent, to which the latter replied that he did, without papers; that Underwood then directed Moran to put Mason in jail; that Moran then stated that Mason’s wife, the plaintiff, also refused to give up the tent; and that Underwood directed him to take his wife and put her in jail. The parties left Underwood’s office, went across the street, and, taking Moran’s automobile, went back to the Mason premises, where Mrs. Mason, still refusing to permit the tent to be taken, was placed under arrest. She protested being taken through the streets in her dirty house apron and with her hair down, and demanded to be allowed to change her attire. She was permitted to go into the house, but Moran followed her, so it seems she was not given an opportunity to change her attire. She was placed in the back seat of the automobile. Moran then drove the car to Underwood’s office and, not finding him in, proceeded to Underwood’s residence, driving slowly past. Not seeing him there, he drove to the city jail, where the plaintiff and her husband were locked up. The jail was foul and filthy. Moran finally located Underwood and swore to a complaint which stated no offense against the city ordinances nor the laws of the state, and Underwood issued warrants for the arrest of the two persons. He took these warrants to the jail and served them upon the plaintiff and her husband. The plaintiff was confined in the jail for a period of approximately three hours when she was allowed to go upon her own recognizance. Her husband was kept there some two or three hours longer, being admitted to bail in the sum of $75 furnished by his attorney. The purported criminal proceedings were later dropped.