St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-11-04
The JUDGE SMILED.
Attorney Gribble Yesterday
Got Himself in Line for
Kelly's Scalp.
Wants Damages for Alleged
Defamation of Profession
al Reputation.
Judge Kelly Disposed to Treat
Lightly the Suit Against
Him.
Incidents Leading Up to Crib
ble'S Somewhat Remark
able Action.

Hon. William Louis Kelly, judge of
the district C urs. is named as defend
ant in an action for injured reputation,
begun by Edward Gribble, an attorney,
who has an Office at IA East Fourth
street. While Judge Kelly was sitting
on the bench, engaged trying cause
yesterday morning, man came into
the court room, and. after some time
passed III surveying his surroundings,
nervously approached the bench and
thrust into the judges hand what had
the appearance of legal document,
and then beat a retreat. His honor
madea hurried inspection of the docu-
ment and took in its contents at
a glance. Then, without displaying
the least agitation, Endorsed on the back
thereof Received Nov. 3, 1891" and
turned his attention to his duties. after
glancing around the room to assure
himself that the red-headed man who
served it had disappeared. The dOcu-
ment proved to be a summons and COM
plant in which Gribble demands $40, 900
damages from Judge Kelly. 1t is alleged
that the damages grew out of the course
pursued by Judge Kelly on the bench
by which the professional reputation of
the plaintiff was injured, as he claims,
to the amount named. Among the
specific allegations tits stated that some
four years ago Gribbie brought divorce
suit for Augustus Simons against Rose
SimOns. The case was tried by Judge
Kelly. After hearing the evidence
the judge granted separation from bed
and poard, but declined to grant all alb
nj MI a rod H. A ,cf
Slm0ns. About a year ago Mr.. SimOnS
urged Mr.. Gribble to renew his efforts
to secure an absolute divorce. The at
tOrney went to Minneapolis and brought
suit there. Judge Hooker, who tried the
case there, granted SimonS all absolute
divorce on the grounds of deSertiOn.
After learning this fact, Judge Kelly
communicated with Judge Hooker. and
made known to him the facts as to ac-
ton having been commenced in st.
Paul and the disposition made. AS
result of this information, Mr.. Gribble
had restrictions placed on
His Professional Standing
by being denied from practicing in
Judge Rockers court for time. The
matter of misconduct as an attorney
was also investigated by the Bar A $50
citation of st. Paul and was called TO the
attention of the supreme court, but Mr.
Gribble was not diSbarred permanently.
Shortly after the episode at Minneapo-
lis Mr.. Gribble appeared in Judge
Keily'S court to try another suit. His
honor left the bench and declined to
hear Mr.. Gribble. 1t has been stated
that once during his career Mr.. Gribbie
remarked to Judge Kelly to the effect
that he tried divorce suits on an eccleSi-
aStic instead of a civil law basis.
Mr.. Gribble is an elderly man.and has
been resident of St. Paul for num-
Der of years. Seven or eight years ago
he brought three suits for libel against
the Pioneer Press for rejecting upon
his professional character. In one of
these actions he recovered verdict for
$1,000; in another he recovered nominal
damages, and the other was dismissed.
The two cases were tried before Judge
Wilkin. At one of the trials number
of attorneys were called as witnesses
with the purpose of impeaching his
character. Among the witnesses were
the present Judges Otis and Kerr.
In speaking of the action against him,
Judge Kelly said it is hardly worth a
second thought. His actions as a judge
are not actionable, and, besides, the ac-
ton is demulrable.
A number of attorneys were spoken
to OH the legal phase of the action, all
of whom concurred in the view that the
service of the papers, while on the
bench, was invalid. 1t was also stated
by those who saw the complaint that it
is defective in form. They also stated
that the course of a judge on the bench
is not actionable, even III case the judge
should show a malicious intention. The
attorneys spoken to on the subject were,
like Judge Kelly, disposed to treat the
suit as Il joke. and as not worthy Of seri-
Gus consideration.