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130the shelf life of treatiesWashington State Historical SocietyJudge George Hugo Boldt.The judge had neither Indian blood nor a deep background inIndian law. The presiding judge in U.S. v. Washington was GeorgeHugo Boldt, a Caucasian notable for spectacles with thick darkframes, a bow tie, and a distinguished, judge-like face. Boldt was anEisenhower appointee to the bench. Earlier in his career, as deputyattorney general, he had represented the state when the TacomaNarrows Bridge collapsed and tumbled into Puget Sound onNovember 7, 1940. As a federal judge, he put away imposing figureslike tax evaders Mickey Cohen and Dave Beck. It was Boldt who triedthe case of the infamous “Seattle Seven” in November 1970. Whenthe defendants, charged with conspiring to damage a federalcourthouse, caused a scene and stormed out of Boldt’s courtroom,the judge declared a mistrial and held them in contempt of court.Boldt refused to grant bail.“Judge Boldt was a judge with a lot of prestige,” assesses Wilkinson.