Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1894-03-13
A PUG|L|ST|C LAWYER
Starts a Lively RumpuS
at Washington.
STRIKES OPPOSING LAWYER
Judge Bradley Is Likely to Deal
Severely With the Offender.

WARRINGTON, March l8.-An exciting
scene indicating the intense feeling which
exists between the counsel on the oppos-
ing side in the Breckinridge-P Pollard case
occurred just outside the courtroom when
day. Congressman Breckinridge's law
partner. John Shelby, of Lexington, KY,
assaulted the junior counsel for Miss Pol
lard, w. G. johnson of Washington.
Mr. johnson had referred In general
way TO the course taken by the defend
ants attorneys in regard 20 certain affi-
davits as chicanery. and Mr.. Shelby en-
deayored TO make reply, but as the usual
hour for adjournment had passed, Judge
Bradley had deferred the question until
today.
There is a narrow hallway connecting
the courtroom with the main corridor
through which the officers pass, from a
door beside the judges bench Judge
Bradley walked out first and was followed
by the lawyers for both sides. As Mr..
johnson left the room, Mr.. Shelby dsrted
after him and accostsd him In the hall
way. Mr.. Johnson is broad-shouldered,
black-mustached, cool and handsome.
Mr.. Shelby il short and excitable Said
Mr.. Shelby, facing his taller opponent:
You have insulted me, sir; / must have
satisfaction, sir" "Well, sir" responded
Mr.. johnson, intsrrogatively and calmly,
expecting that Mr.. Shelby would denom-
mate tho sort Of satisfaction he expected.
Punched on the Cheek.
Thereupon Mr.. Shelby's right fist shot
outward and upward, grazing Mr.. John
sons left cheek and drawing n. slight
blush. As he threw up his arm in the
defensive, the dignihed form of his profes-
sional partner, Mr.. Carlisle, was inter
posed between them. Quickly several
other men became participants In the
fray. Colonel Bre0kinridgs and his son,
Deshs, piled themselves upon Carlisle
There was moment Of general melee
engaged in by no less than dozen, most
Of them intended peacemskers, when
Deputy Marshal Leonard thrust the
belligerent Ksntuckian back and put n
damper upon hostilities. Every body
emerged from the heat OF the controversy
uninjured. although Mr.. Johnson's cheek
was slightly Redeemed and the immacu-
late silk hat of Judge Jere Wilson had
been sadly ruffied.
81 call upon you, gentlemen, to witness
that l was assaulted" said Mr.. johnson,
somewhat excitedly. This was assented
by the bystanders, aud Judge Bradley
strobe upon the scene, demanding to
know the cause OF the trouble. Mr..
johnson, Mr.. Carlisle and Mr.. Wilson
laid the case before him, stating that the
Kentucky lawyer had made an unpro-
voked assault upon Mr. Johnson.
Judge Bradley WAS very indignant.
1--WE cannot have this here, gentlemen"
he said sternly. You must understand
that we cannot have such outbreaks.
will ascertain who are responsible for this,
and see 10 1t that they are properly pun
ished."
VIII BE Punished.
That the ju lgs will fulfill his promise
to see that the responsible parties are
punished, no one who knows him enter
tains any doubt He is noted for the
strict order which he enforces a the court
room. Yesterday he informed one spec
tator in the room that the conrt was not
the house Of commons, and it was not
customary TO wear hats there. Again he
raped three times very sharply upon the
desk when Colonel Brechinridge and his
attorneys were conferring in over loud
tones.
The pugilistic encounter was not the
only sensational incident OF the day, for
Miss Pollard was carried sobbing from
the courtroom and fell in faint outside
the door when testimony concerning the
birth Of her child in 1885 was given. Two
faithful friends Of her own sex attended
her, and she was driven in a Dab to the
house Of refuge, where she makes her
home.
The gossip OF the city is about evenly
divided between the courthouse affairs
and the identity Of the bevy OF fashionably
dressed young ladies who were summarily
excluded from the courtroom by Judge
Bradley