The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-02-02
HE FELT INSULTED.
Judge Ellsworth Strikes
j. M. Bassett.
TROUBLE ABOUT A LETTER.
The Judge Says the Honor of the
Alameda Superior Court Must
Be Protected.

John biffed Jim and jim landed on
Johns jaw with his right"
Thatis the way gieefnl sports referred tC
the fight at Broadway and Ninth street,
Oakland, yesterday, between Judge John
Ellsworth. one of the three Superior Judges
who tried The waterfront case. aud James
NJ. Bassett. one OF the defendants.
1t was done in twinkling with bare
in the processes. Judge Ellsworth only
showed little red spot as a reminder of
the encounter
The noon whistle had blown and Judge
Ellsworth had adjourned court. He was
Fastening up Broadway to the Athenlan
Club to get his lunch.
just as he reached Ninth street. Mr.
Bassett turned the corner. with hands full
OF papers, on the way to the First National
Bank.
SIS your name Bassett?" asked Judge
Ellsworth.
Yes, sir" answered Mr. Bassett.
Il understand you havr something to 8 ay
about the Superior Court?"
Yes. SIR"
"Biffw
"BifW
The first was from Judge E lsworth and
the second from Mr.. Bassett.
Neither said word after that, and II. Z.
Smith started Judge Ellsworth toward the
Alhenlan Club, reminding him that his
lunch might get cold, while w. III. McKin-
non and others fastened Basselt on toward
the bank. There was not time for a crowd
to gather, and very few knew of it.
The encounter was the result of some
letters published by Bassett, the one that
caused the greatest Offense heing puT-
ported to have been written to c. p. Run
tington, intimating that the Judges were in
III un tington's employ.
In speaking of the affair, Bassets said
that re did not see Judge Ellsworth until
he spoke.
L was searching among my papers for a
bank certificate" said Bassett. land an
swered him while continuing the search. A
blow was the last thing | expected, as |
thought Judge Ellsworth only wanted an
explanation. ! glanced up just in time to
see his fist descending, and | warded off the
blow, so that 1t only graZed my cheek.
| struck back, but w. II. McKin-
non caught my arm and | only
tapped him lightly on the jaw. Ii. L. Smit b
then caught him. ana as near as | can re-
member we were both hustled away. Ii
have been guilty OF any offense in my let
tiers he should have had me cited for con-
tempt 1t was very foolish of him to resort
10 such methods for settlement. l have
never mentioned his name disrespectfullY.
either IN the papers or TO any Individual.
will not have him arrested for assault"
Il considered that Bassett had attacked
my honor and the integrity of the Superior
Court" said Judge Ellsworth, land con-
sideTed IL necessary to defend my honor.
struck him as any other man would have
done who had been insulted. | believe as
| struck that | called him a skunk. As |
struck | called him a dirty skunk | think,
but used no other language"
Mr.. Bass@tt said yesterday that he con-
Sldered he had been very easy on the
Judges in his letters.
When was employed by the Southern
Pacific" said he, Il heard Judge Sanderson,
then the eompany's attorney, now dead,
say to Mark Hopkins in the hearing OF
Senator Stanford, in the iatter's private
office. Your waterfront title is of no ac.
count, and ii you expect to hold that prop
erIy you must control the Alameda COUNTY
judiciary, ana keep control of the Oakland
Council"