Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1890-01-17
An Encounter in Court.

The third days proceedings Of the Freder,
icksburg Court in the libel suit over the
grave and tomb Of Mary, the mother Of
Washington, came near ending in serious
row As it was, blows were passed, ink
stands thrown. four parties placed under
bonds, and two fined fifty dollars each.
When the court opened yesterday morn.
ing, Mr.. Kirtiey, who was on the sand
Wednesday at the time of adjournment, was
recalled but before proceeding, stated that
as he bad been grossly ineulted the evening
previou,, he desired to ask the protection OF
the court. and if this could moi be furnished,
be would project himself. Upon this Judge
Mclaughlin had him placed under bond,
aDd the case proceeded he was kept upon
the stand an hour, during which some very
ugly epithets were used by the opposing
counsel, which occasioped SONS excitement.
When he had concluded, the Judge re.
quested Mr.. Filznugh &c withdraw his of1en-
-ive language used Wednesday to tbs wit.
ness This Mr.. Fitzhugh agreed to do. He
stated that the wi,nsss'a assertion justified
the accusation, but he would withdraw it.
The court then released Mr.. Ksrtley from
his bond.
Mr. ]. W Colbert, the ether member of
the firm, wes then called to the stand, and
it was during the examination Of this wit
ness that the trouble occurred which came
near resulting in seriou7 and general row.
The difficulty arose as follows: Mr.. Fiiz
hugh. Mr. Shepherds counsel, interrupted
Mr Dickinson, one of the counsel for MIR.
Colbert, who was asking question which
Fiizhugh objected to, and which the courts
sustained. Mr Dickinson then asked the
same question in another form, which Mr..
Fizhugh objected to, and to which Mr..
Dickinson responded You hold yourself,
sir, and if you cannot, step outside"
Mr.. Fiizbugh replied: II will not submit
to your insults any longer, and unless you
stop, I will trash you"
Mr. Dickinson replied: "If you walk Out
side, will mash you Into jelly"
Every one now arose Including Mr.. Fi.Z
hugh aid Mr.. Dickinson. Mr Fitzhugh
seized bis small rattan cane, and wheck it
came down 90 the head Of Mr.. Dickinson,
who was on the other side OF tbs table, and
who, ip return, threw large inkstand at
Mr.. Filzhugh, the ink besmesring hls face
and also some OF the jurors, who had at this
time begun to scatter. The inkstsnd mlsaec
Mr.. Frzhugh and struck tbs iron railiog in
ff0nt. OOt0 paTtitS DU" s'atteu 'onaiCe
each other, several catching Mr.. Fi'zhueb.
The excitement was now running high
and friends of beth parties we're surging
toward the soene, including Mr. Krtly,
With uplfted cane, but who was seized be
fore be could get over the railing. Il lock-
ed as if q general row would soon be in
progress, but Sergeant Elrington, who had
now forced himself through the crowd ar
rnefad all the DSrtieS
The Judge bound Messrs. Fitzhueh arc
Dickinson TO keep the peace 10 the SUM of
one thousand dollars. and foed them fifty
dollars each. Mr.. Shepherd and MIR, Kirtley
each were also bound over under like bonds,
all OF which were Immediately executed and
the case was proceeded with. II continued
without further trouble. although several
ugly epithsts were used afterwards.
at three o'clock evidence for the defense
began by the calling of Mr.. Shepherd, the
sued party, who was on the stand at the ad-
journuent. at six O'Clock. The court will re-
sumo again to-day at ten o'clock. The in
t-rest can hardly he reaizad. and much
personal feeling is beginning to be exhibited.