[Diary] June 21.
To-day Mr. Fairfield ordered the boy Josie to get off a horse which he had no right to ride, as Mr. F. had forbidden the boys riding after the cows and racing them home, which Josie was doing. Josie refused. Mr. F. then ordered him into the house. When Josie had gotten the cows in the pen, he came to the yard and dismounted. Mr. F. again ordered him in, and when the boy refused and was impudent, he took hold of him and tried to compel him. Josie struggled and both fell. This happened more than once, when Mr. F., getting uppermost, planted his knee on Josie’s chest and caught hold of his throat. Big Jerry was standing near by and was growing more and more threatening. He kept telling Mr. F. to let Josie go, he had no right to choke him. I was afraid Jerry would proceed to blows, so I went down the steps and warned him not to interfere, and said that Mr. F. would not hurt Josie. The boy was finally dragged to the steps, but there got firm hold and Mr. F. could not stir him. He was white and trembling with exertion and rage, and Josie was as angry. Finally, at my persuasions, Josie got up and came into the house of his own accord. Mr. Fairfield shut him up in the cornhouse.
