Delaware State journal and statesman., 1867-07-04
ASSAULT ON JUDGE FISHER.

During the examination of witnesses on
Monday, IN the Surratt trial, DIR. Mcmillan
was grossly insulted while ON the witness
stand by Mr. Merrick, one of Surratt's
counsel The doctor took occasion 10 retort
pretty severely upon the attorney, when the
latter appealed TO the Court. Judge Fisher
informed the lawyers fort defence thai
they had frequently insulted the witnesses
for the government, during the progress of
the trial, and that the Court demanded that
it be stopped. At this Messrs Bradley and
Merrick took umbrage, and some harsh Ian.
guage was used between them and the Judge.
The matter, however, was dropped, but ON
Tuesday morning amer the adjournment
of the Court, MIR. Bradley opened up the
quarrel of Monday between Mr.. Merrick
and DIR. Mcmillan; and, having visited
Judge Fisher the evening previous to
induce Inn to retract his censure oil Mr..
! Merriek he felt confident that ii would
| be retracted, but when Judge Fisher
telt himself driven to censure all the pris-
oner's counsel for their insulting treatment
| of witnesses, and did do so, Mr.. Bradley
could scarcely keep down his wrath, and as
soon as the court adjourned, he attacked
Judge Fisher as he was leaving the bench.
Judge Fisher said he did moi want to be
| worried now, as lie was sick, and he did not
mean TO offend him, for he had great re.
spect for him,
Mr.. Bradley, in violent manner, told
him he should hold him TO account az soou
as he got well, for his conduct.
Judge Fisher replied that he knew where
to ilnd him at any time, and continued he
was well enough 10 handle him now"
This occurring right in the entry at the emf
of the bench, gave rise TO the report tina
Surratt was escaping, and about hundred
colored men, who had been in the bacl
part OF the court room, rushed forward. Mr.
Bradley, Jr,, jumped up on a table anC
made towards Judge Fisher, who had not
however, got into actual contact with Mr.
Bradley, Sr., and Judge Fisher, supposinJ
he was going to asSail him also, as if b.
concert, he reached out for him, hut wa
caught by the United States Marshal, VIII
pushed him quickly into a side room, an,
Chief Justice Cartier coming up while Dir
Bradley was still foaming, ordered him t.
cease instantly, which he did, and both O
4 the Bradleys beat hasty retreat.
+ Judge Fisher when in the room iainte
away, but soon recovered, and was take
home. The Bradleys are both ut large. MI
Bradley, DR., some time ago called Judg
/ DIN liar and scOundrel, and threatened I
1 whip him, Tor which lie was fined only fit
dollars. Seceshdom considers that II ha
achieved another victory.
z The Washington Evening Express in civ
b ing an account of the difficulty remarks
A Those who witnessed the difficulty sa
that harsh language was used, and that MI
y Bradley informed the Judge that if h
tFisheD were not sick he would thrash hin
n Judge Fisher replied that he did not clail
II immunity from the threatened castigation o
account of his illness. The combatant
:. were about TO come to close quarters whe
II Deputy Marshal Phillips and some Of th
|, bailitis placed themselves between the pal
"a ties and endeavored to force the Judge int
the marshal's room.
g Mr.. Bradley, Jr., who was sitting at
IS desk in the courtroom, talking to the pri
II oner Surratt, hearing of the difficulty GU
e side, made II leap over two desks and thrt
chairs, and fastened to the rescue. Meal
while, Judge Fisher had been forced int
the Nlarshal's room, hut before the doC
~ could be closed, Mr.. Bradley, Jr., made Ii
appearance, and Judge Fisher turned an
y grappled with him. The parties were The
he separated again, and Judge Fisher was locke
ir in his room.
A. Mr.. Bradley, ST., returned To the cour
! room, and Judge Cartier, who was sittiu
~ on the bench, said the difficulty must ceas
1t Mr.. Bradley tried to explain the matter
'e Judge Cartier, while the Marshal was q
III tempting TO calm Judge Fisher, who WI
=, eventually induced TO go to his home
T. Georgetown.
or The difficulty created much exctemen
at and quite crowd gathered about the dot
IN OF the courtroom and the door leading
the passage where il occurred.
~ fruu No,, IT,, y,,,.,r mn .l.-..