The
Idaho Statesman has an article about nineteenth-century prankster George Washington Stilts, who was a native of Boise. Apparently he was the leader of a group that called itself the "Hornique-qui-bri-niques." This was usually shortened to "Hornies" or "Horrible Hornies." This group was known for painting their faces and dressing up in costumes on July 4th, then parading through the city streets, after which they would go on a three-day bender until they had to be carried home. The article relates one of his pranks:
When Stilts was summoned for jury duty before a judge who did not know him, he feigned total deafness until the judge excused him... Of the 200 people present, at least 199 knew that Stilts was no more deaf than the judge. They were speechless at the impudence of the action. When Stilts left the courtroom, the spectators "roared with delight."
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