A Saloon Fight, a Fine, and a Wage Suit in Old Town
A former musical director at Conquest Saloon sues Jack Furness for back pay, but Furness says he deducted the amount of a fine he paid after the musician's altercation with a customer.
Jack Furness has been sued by a tall, dark complexioned gentleman, who formerly acted as a musical professor at Conquest saloon. The tall, dark man started suit on the Washington side of the town, although the musical directing occurred on the Idaho side. He alleges that Jack owes him several dollars for services rendered. Jack denies the allegation and claims that the dark man owes him several dollars. While acting as musical director the dark man had an altercation with one of the customers and was arrested and fined. Jack paid the fine and kept it out of his wages. This is what the party is suing for.
“Jack paid the fine and kept it out of his wages. This is what the party is suing for.”
Wage deductions and workplace disputes are still with us, though the setting has changed from saloons to gig economy platforms. The story also shows how informal justice—paying a fine and docking wages—could land in court.
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