The morning call., 1893-05-25
CHAMBLISS FREE.
The Story of the Fight
Told in Court.
HE ACTED IN SELF-DEFENSE.
They Fought Well, Considering.
Nevin Pleads Guilty and Will
Be Sentenced To-Day.
HE ACTED IN SELF-DEFENSE.

There was another interested crowd Of
room yesterday morning to listen to the
testimony of William FL. Chambliss, the
leader of the german at the hops of the
Monday Evening Club.
Shortly after 10 o'clock Chambliss
strolled into the courtroom accompanied d
by two friends. All eyes were fixed upon
him, and it was at once noticed that both
his eyes were in mourning. The previous
day only the left eye was discolored. He
kept in the rear part of the room till his
name was called and then he walked with
graceful mien to a seat beside his attor-
ney.
John B. Nevn entered the courtro ON
about this time dressed in light spring
suit and carrying in his hand straw hat
with black band. He glared savagely at
the leader of the german. who returned
the glare with interest Nevn's face did
not show the faintest sign of having run
against Chambliss' fists.
Nevin's case was called first, and his at
torney at once entered plea of guilty.
The defendant was told he would be SEN
fenced to-day. and lett the courtroom with
The proud consciousness that he was the
erO of the hour.
"Mr. Chambllss does not plead guilty."
said Attorney Phillips. "We will waive a
jnrv."
Officer Frank W. Smith was called, and
testified that he saw the defendant fighting
with Nevln, but he could not say who was
the aggrpssor. When he came upon the
scene Chambliss was backing away.
The defendant and Nevin," said the
witness, came togei her once in awhile,
and fought pretty well. considering"
considering what?" asked Prosecuting
Attorney Cabaniss.
Considering the society men they are"
reulied the witness, amid great laughter
Witness separated them, but both were
reluctant to be separated, even after lie
caught hold OF them.
The defendant was then called. He
arose and stretched him self to his full
height, placed his heavy walking-cane
upon the table beside his hat, and took his
position in the wtness-st nd facing the
audience. AT er being sworn he was told
TO sit down. He crossed his left leg over
the right and kept swinging it nervously
to and fro.
II was standing in front of the Croeker
building" he said, when Nevin and a
friend came along, ana we engaged in
| conversation, but there was no talk about
a fight. | listened to Nevin's questions.
| some of which were decidedly foolish.
don't remember the exact words. Alter
! thought he had said enough turned away,
and he made rap al me like a 10-year-old
| boy would make.
"The conversation opened by Nevin ask
| ing me if l read the newspapers. / ioid
| him I did. Then he asked me if | was re-
! sponsible for certain articles. My response
was that it was possible that | was re-
| sponsible. Ha asked me if l would go 10
pa per and retract the statements | had
made in it. | told him | had no retrac-
tons or apologies to make. All this time
we were talking peaceably.
II then told him | mad an engagement at
the Palace Hotel and he could come and
see me some other time and discuss the
| affair. l casually put my hands in my
pants pockets. as gentlemen usually do,
aud bade him gO0d-afternoon just as
! turned round he made a rap at me with
his fist. 1t didn't take much effect at al
and didn't harm me any. j then slapped
| him couple of times 10 make him behave
| himself.
IL was acting in seIf-defense OF course
he assaulted me. if a slight blow can bt
termed an assault. He struck at me sew
eral times with his fists, but | warded The
blows off. We were separated by The
| officer.
up to the time he struck me my inten-
lions were peaceable. | was not animated
by malice till after he struck me. AL
though he was an acquaintance of mine
had no friendship for him."
On cross-eXamiuatiOn the defendan
| said he continued TO protect his face aftel
the officer came between them. The off
Ger had no difficulty in separating them.
This concluded the defendants testi
mony, and as he stepped down from thu
| wltness-stand a sigh of relief escaped him
The defendant was attacked" said thu
Judge, ''and had right to defend HIM
self. 1t is just the same in TINS case a.
any ordinary case of battery. The case il
dismissed.
Chambiss rose with sickly smil,
adjoining his battered face and taket
majes ticaly out of the courtroom. holdin,
his cane in the most approved fashion.
just after lie left. an attorney asked tn,
Judge question and he earnestly replied
Don't worry me for few moments, III,
mind is so agtated." After minute o
two's Silent reflection the Judge startled
those within hearing by muttering. "Ol
with the dance; let joy be uncon fined.
Then he glanced quickly around him ant
ordered the next case called.
/