Dad’s Night in Jail and Friends Who Came Through

Last, but by no means least, is the story of Dad’s property tax problems and the sheriff. One summer evening, we were just sitting down to our dinner and the phone rang. One of our children answered the phone and it was Dad and he wanted to speak to Bill. He said, “I’m in jail. I need an attorney, and I need you to come to Rock Island right now!” Bill immediately called Julie Lytton, our attorney and friend, who said, “Fine. I’ll meet you in half an hour at the jailhouse in Rock Island.” When Bill arrived there, the deputy sheriff, Jack White, also a friend of ours, was there. Bill asked for Floyd Guild. They brought him forth, and Dad was excited and chagrined, and he told Bill they had taken his belt, wallet and shoestrings away from him. He also had to empty his pockets, and said they wouldn’t find him decent food. He’d left a steak dinner on his plate at home. Bologna sandwiches didn’t quite cut it for Dad. Jack White, the deputy, defended the food, but Dad would not eat. Our attorney, Julie Lytton, arrived at this point and asked the deputy what the charge was. The deputy said Dad had not responded to a direct court order from Judge O’Neil to pay his property taxes. Julie Lytton arranged for a court hearing at 9 a.m. the following morning with Judge O’Neil. Bill told Dad he’d be at the hearing, but that he’d have to spend the night in jail. Dad protested because he said he’d been put in a common cell with drunks, petty thieves, and crooks. The following morning, at exactly 9 a.m., Bill met Julie Lytton in the courthouse. The attorney spoke with Dad and explained the charges and cautioned Dad to keep quiet and let him do the talking. Bill said, “Floyd, you’d better just listen and keep your mouth shut.” Shortly thereafter, Judge O’Neil took his seat. The attorney asked if he could approach the bench with his client. Judge O’Neil granted the request. The judge spoke to Julie for a few minutes, then turned to Dad and in a very kindly manner asked Dad, “Mr. Guild, why haven’t you answered my letters to you?” The attorney replied that Dad was under the impression he didn’t have to pay the property tax as they were doing in Cook County. The judge lectured Dad that anytime he receives a letter from the court, he should open that letter and read it. He had Dad promise that he would do that. He also said quietly, “I’ve tried to understand you, and I’ve written several times and I’ve tried to be fair about this.” Then he fined Dad seventy dollars. Dad told Bill he didn’t have the money so Bill gave it to him. He had prepared ahead for that. They paid the court and proceeded back to the jail to pick up Dad’s personal possessions. After Dad put his shoelaces back in and replaced his belt and they returned his billfold, comb, and everything else he had in his pockets, they all went out to the parking lot to pick up Dad’s car. Unfortunately, Dad had left his windows down in all the excitement and to add insult to injury, it had rained. So the seats had gotten all wet! Happy Ending: Julie Lytton never sent either Bill or Dad a bill for his services. P.S. Later Mom did find the letters in Daddy’s dresser drawer. They had never been opened.