The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1882-01-12
MULIINS MISTAKE.
FOOLED WITH THE WRONG JUDGE.
How KsntuekY Court Room Was Turned into
the Scene Of Rlot-Tks Fearless Action
Of the JndEe Saves the Honor Of the
Court and the Dignity Of the sIaM.

LOUISVILLE, January IA special to
the Cottrier-.J Journal from Mount Vernon
says This little village, usually so quiet
was to-day the scene of wild tumult
The Circuit Court was in ses
sion, A. o. Bradley sitting as special
judge. The cause on trial was the
Commonwealth against R. Randall for
murder. Witnesses were testifying, when
John Mullins, witness in the case, who
had been placed under rule, came into
the court room intoxicated He was lean
ing against the bar, when Judge Bradley
spoke to him, asking him if he was not a
witness, and upon his reply in the affirma-
tive asked him what he was doing in the
court room. Mullins responded, "He was
standing there, he reckoned." Zine him
ten dollars, Mr.. Clerk" said the judge.
Mullins made another insulting remark,
and another fine of ten dollars was entered
against him. Another insulting remark
was followed by an order from the Court to
the jailor to take Mullins into custody.
Mullins then ran out of the court room, fol-
lowed by the jailer and two deputy sheriffs,
who pursued him some distance out OF
town, when he turned and fired several
shots at them. The two deputy sheriffs
then fired, but no one was hit. After
short chase Mullins was captured and
brought back to the court room by the
posse. He was accompanied by his father,
Champ Mullins, who was also intoxicated.
John Mullins was ordered to jail by
Judge Bradley, whereupon he and his
father both arose and declared he should
not be taken to jail. Champ is one of the
most powerful men physically in the coun-
ty, and it would take half a dozen ordi-
nary men to hold him, and when the jailor
and posse started with John to the Jail the
prisoner and his father resisted, and the
scene which followed beggars description.
The large crowd in the court room broke
into the widest disorder. Men were
knocked down, pistols drawn and guards
rushed in with shotguns, and the rush for
the doors and windows was tremendous,
The Mullins and officers fought their way
out of court and down stairs into the street,
When they reached the street some one
gave John Mullins pistol, with which he
fred two shots, but in what direction is not
known. Both men were finally arrested
and placed in jail; where they now are.
Excitement was at fever heat for while
and everybody breathed freely when quiet
was restored and the closest search failed
to discover any corpse.
As soon as the disorder began Judge
Bradley left the bench and shouted
call on every man in this house to help
arrest these men, and / myself will assist" !"
He did lend such assistance as he could.
The jury in the Randall case were mixed
up in confused crowd, and after the res
toration of quiet by the agreement of both
sides they were discharged from further
consideration of the case, and the trial was
continued till next term. The day was the
most disgraceful in our county's history,
and good citizens should now rally to the
support of the law and see that nothing
like it occurs again.
CNc1NNAT1, January ia Times7Star
Mt. Vernon (Ky.) special says that the
heroism and personal exposure alone of
Judge A. o. Bradley prevented bloodshed
at the riot in Court there yesterday; that
his remarks to the jury before discharging
them made deep impression; that the
rioters are all Pine hill miners, very rough;
and that the citizens are firm in their de-
termination to maintain law and order.