The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-12-05
COURT MADE ANGRY.
Sheriff WOolery Defies Justice
Neagle's Wrath.
INFORMAL CHANGE OF VENUE.
The Sheriff Brought Before the Irate
Magistrate for Contempt-Nord-
strom the Shuttlecock.

The hearing of Charles w. Nordstrom, accused
of the murder of Willie Mason at Cedar Mount
ain, which was to have taken place yesterday
before Justice Neagle but which really came of
before Justice Won Tobel, resulted in Nordstrom
being held for trial without bail, and an Incl
dent in the proceedings caused the arrest of
Sheriff Woolery by Coroner Horton on a warrant
issued by Justice Neage charging him with
contempt of court. The news that the sheriff
had been arrested for contempt of court, and
the combination OF circumstances surrounding
the case, caused a furry among attorneys and
created considerable excitement on the streets,
the fact having been bulletined in several public
places.
BY mutual consent Attor neys Tyler, for the
prisoner, and Mcbride, for the state, the hear
ing OF Nordstrom was arranged to be had be-
fore Justice Neagle yesterday morning at 10
o'clock. At the appointed hour the sheriff ap-
peared in court with the prisoner, and the at
torneys were also there. The usual prelimin-
aries were gone through, and the state put its
first witness, Coroner Horton, on the stand.
Attorney Tyler objected to the witness talkin g
so fast because he wanted to take the testimony
down in writing. Mr. Mcbride Immediately
complained that If the court had to wait
upon Mr.. Tyler to take the evidence
down in long hand that it would
stake q week and a day. to get through with
the case, and he had much other legal work
n.
Mr.. Tyler then asked that a stenographer be en-
gagged. Mr.. Mcbride again very seriously OBJ
jected There is no law compelling the
county to pay out from 800 to 500 to have the
evidence in criminal cases at the prel iminary
hearing taken down and transcribed" said he
This is merely preliminary hearing; III the
superior court, of course. ii is different"
This prisoner is on trial for his life" argued
Mr. Tyler, who began 10 warm up, land we
have right to demand that a stenographer be
allowed TO take down the evidence at the ex-
pensc of the county. We are entitled to the op-
portGnity, If any is presented, OF comparing and
impeaehing the testimony of the witnesses In
the event that your honor binds the defendant
over for trial in the superior court
Mr.. Mcbride assumed the aggressive and said
that he would not consent 10 a stenographer
being furnished at the expense of the county,
when he was cut short by Justice Neagle. who
sent his constables, Terry and King, to hunt up
shorthand reporter. This action irritated the
assistant prosecuting attorney and he became
highly indignant and, turning TO Sheriff Wool
cry, said
Take the prisoner over to Justice Won TobeIs
court"
Mr.. Tyler protested that the attorney for the
state was guilty of a high-handed proceeding
unheard OF even in Russia where Justice is I'M
known, aud he argued that the court had iuris-
dieilon TO try the prisoner and should not let
deTed that the prisoner be left alone and no.
taken from the room.
Take him over 10 Judge Won Tobeps." again
ordered Attorney Mcbride, and sheriff Wooiery
lost no time IL leaving the courtroom and
taking No7dstrom before Justice Won TobeI. in
the Butler block, just across the street. The
witnesses all followed the prisoner and in Il few
minutes MIR. Mcbride appeared and the prisoner
was srraigned for hearing on charge of muir
der in the first degree. The following witnesses
were examined; Or. u. N. Horton, coroner:
Deputy Sheriff J. F. Mcdonald Sheriff J. II.
Noolery, John Rechterwald. q Cedar Mountain
farmer, Robert EchimOre. VINO lives near Cedar
Mountain; Thomas Lindsey. Gilman coal
miner. AMI his I-year-oId son, Alexander Iinds-
lev The web OF circumstantjal evidence against
the prisoner was complete, and the Justice
bound the defendant over to the superior court
Tor trial IS charged without bail
The prisoner sat with his back against the
wall by himself, during the hearing. lie was
alone; not = friend came near aim to offer a
word o. consoi alton, and his low, rough brow
was wnnkIed n a. angry. anxious frowu. oncs
during the hearing his attorney, Mr.. Tyler came
INTO the courtroom. He interrupted the pro
ceedIngs and explained to the court in an er.
CITED, angry manner the transactions of a short
Tine before n Justice Neagles court: but the
justice told him that the cssa was on hearing.
teai be knew he had jurisdiction in such cases.
and that the hearing must proceed. Turning 10
the prisoner. Mr.. Tyler said:
Don't you say a word; don't open vou-
head" '0-i
lie then grabbed his silk tile and hurriedly
IeiI sne courtroom Nor3strom obeyed his at
toraeys command, and didn't open his head"
at all during the examination.
Just before the hearing concluded, Coroner
HORTON appeared In Tie courtroom AID with Q