The knock on the door interrupted us. A knock on the conference door in a law office on the 34th floor of the TC Energy Center in Houston. Five lawyers sitting around an oval-shaped conference table while I deposed the oil company’s safety director. A safety director...
Wilton, North Dakota. Population 711. A town divided in two parts. Two different counties butting up against each other. Not coming together, but rather colliding at Main Street. Burleigh County runs south to Bismarck, the state capital. Settled by Swedish immigrants....
I went back to Gilby for the funeral of my Uncle Johnny. This is what I wrote. Eulogy for Johnny As we gather here for this funeral, there is a certain formula for these proceedings. The family sits in the front pew, we bow our heads, sit through the eulogy, listen to...
It is a heart-stopping moment for the defense attorney. The bailiffs have informed the Court. The jury has reached its verdict. Everyone returns to the Courtroom; lawyers, defendant, clerks, court reporters, and the Judge. It has been a difficult trial to defend. No...
Written in 2015. There’s a boy in my house who’s carrying a doll; Walked in from next door; Didn’t bother to call. Looking for Anne, he yells out her name; Shows him her doll, they both look the same. There’s a boy in my house who’s tracking in snow; Building a fort,...
Our quarters were segregated at that time. The Justices remained upstairs in their old chambers, kitty-corner from the old courtroom on the second floor. The Clerk of Court Luella (Lu) Dunn and her staff had earlier moved into the new judicial wing. We, the six new...
As the morning sun whispers The Barn says Good-bye I walk towards the mountain A voice from the woods, a Meadowlark cry The wind tossles my mane I pick up the pace Of memories like rivers Flowing all through this place From my wobbly first stumbles To a canter with...
Jack Cronquist passed away on April 29, 2017. He had just turned 92. My name is Tom Dickson, and I grew up in Gilby, North Dakota. I have been asked by the family to say a few words to hopefully find the insight to properly tell the life story of this good man. Who...
by Tom Dickson, 2013 The Sun hid his face today No brightness, no warmth, the depths of dismay His presence not questioned, is gone from this place To all we are told, be blessed in his grace The air in this room seems darker than night The pew holds our sorrow,...
In July, 1994, Tom wrote this article for the North Dakota Trial Laywers. His client was a Native American who was accused of rape. The incident was alleged to have occurred on the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation. The City of New Town, North Dakota and Lake Sakakawea...
