Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1885-07-04
= TRAVERSERS, 2 OFFICERS, 2
M1GISTRATES AND 3 LAWYERS.
Law, Justice and Testimony Have a
Tournament in Which Testimony
Takes the Ring.


Friday evening of last week while
Justice Moat was YEARLY struggling
through the adjudicature of a small
case the officers Of the Corporation
brought Joseph Keller, well-known
character, to the bar of justice.
Joe belongs to that class of citizens
disagreeable only when they have
taken medicine for snake-bite without
cause. At such times his respect for
preachers and courts is no higher than
for the yet more extraordinary citizen,
the editor.
On this occasion, during the progress
of what is now known in history as
''the Holt case" his intersections tried
the patience Of the Judge until the lat
ter committed him to the lookup for
contempt. The officers, Messrs.
Laemmert and Cronin, proceeped to
execute the order, when William R..
Percy interceded for the traverser by
asking for immediate trial, but the
facts involved in this transaction are
deferred to a later stage in this ex-
ceedingly interesting narrative. For
the present it is necessary to state that
in the scramble both the bailiff and
court regarded Mr.. Percy's interven-
ton as resisting the order of the court
and its execution. Accordingly on
Saturday a warrant to this effect was
sworn out by the officer.
On Sunday and Monday the case was
the topic of the town, and universal
curiosity manifested concerning the
outcome. When the Sabbath day and
night had passed, and the bright sun
of Monday morning cast his level
beams across Winebrenner's grove,
there was already moving to and fro
of the opposing forces to gain ad-
vantageous positions. 1t was settled
that the issues would join about sun
set at the Justices courtroom, corner
Main and Water. The hall of justice
is in an upper-story, back room. The
JOURNAL, which is an independent
paper, unswerved by Intimidation and
unawed by power, had its courage de-
bilitated by the statement of man
who knows that the building on a sim,
liar occasion had shown symptoms Of
organic weakness. Reaching the TEN.
pie, it was found jammed from YES
tibule to sanctuary, and from every
niche and transept peered living
form.
The court was impressed with the
gravity of the situation and an adj
journment was ordered to the Council
Chamber, subsequently amended by
striking out the chamber and inserting
Ravenscraft's opera house.
The auditorium filled quickly
Meanwhile the machinery of the Law
got in position on the stage. At 6
solemn moment Chesterfeldian gen
tleman, accustomed to talking to courts
and juries with freedom, mounted tn,
platform and bowed to the justice
Some applause followed which tn,
court promptly and properly rebuket
by announcing that the meeting wa
thoroughly non-partisan.
W. H. Evans arose in the audienc
and addressed the court, stating that tn
trial was an important one, and tn
people desired to hear the testimony.
The court conceded the point an,
intimated that by proper decorun
the audience could conserve its owl
wishes.
Hon. William Brace, attorney TO
Mr.. Percy, entered a motion to quasi
the warrant on the ground that it di
not sufficiently state the nature of tn
charge.
Denied.
John "A. Laemmert, bailiff, sworn
stated that Mr.. Percy was arrested TO
violation of Ordinance No. 10.
Mr.. Brace asked whether said OF
dinance was offered in evidence.
Clayton Purnell, attorney for tn
Corporation, answered affirmative ely.
Mr.. Brace objected to such intro
duction and read from the book Gel
tain amendments which he claimed in
validated it.
Mr.. Purnell contested the objection
Justice Atkinson could not see an
force in the objection. Ordinance &C
mitted.
Laemmert, resuming, said that i
the execution of Justice Meats orde
"Percy took hold of Keller and tol
me to hold on and called to Mo;
for a trial. The latter replied M
take him to the lookup MeanwhiI
Percy, who had hold of Keller frol
behind, moved around in front. Ke