The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-03-13
CONTEMPT OF court.
Sensational Episode in the
Breckinridge- Case.
ONE LAWYER PUNCHES ANOTHER.
: Dozen Others Get Mixed Up In the
Soximmage-The Judge VIII See
That All the Parties Are Punished
as They Should BE.


WASHINGTON, March ia pugilistic
5Sssrit by Congressman Breckinridge's
ssw partner, John Shelby, of Lexington,
ky., upon the junior counsel for Miss
Pollard, w. g. johnson of Washington,
closed the days proceedings yesterday of
bhs breach Of promise crial.
Mn johnson had referred I'm q general
ray to the course taken by the defend
ants attorneys In regard to certain af1i-
javits as chicanery. and Mr.. Shelby en-
3eavored to make reply, but as the usual
Jour for adjournment had passed, Judge
Bradley had deferred the question until
eOday.
There n a narrow hallway connecting
the courtroom with the main corridor,
through which the officers pass, from q
door beside the judges bench. Judge
Bradley walked out first and was followed
~ the lawyers for both sides. As Mr..
johnson left the room, Mr.. Shelby darted
after him and accosted him In the hall
gay. Mr.. johnson Is broad-shouldered,
hlack-mustached, cool and handsome.
Nr. Shelby Ia short and excitable Said
Nlr. Shelby, facing his taller opponent:
sYou have insulted me, sir; must have
satisfaction, SIR" "Well, sir" responded
ar. johnson, intcrrogatively and calmly.
Sxpecting that Mr.. Shelby would deuom-
shate the sort Of satisfaction he expected.
sheIby's satisfaction"
Thereupon Mr.. Shelby's right fist shot
entward and upward, grazing Mr.. John
sons left cheek and drawing slight
blush. AS he threw up his arm in the
defensive, the dignifed form of his profess
sional partner, Mr.. Carlisle. was inter-
posed between them. Quickly several
ether men became participants in the
Gay. Colonel Breckenridge and his sou.
Sesha, piled themselves upon Carlisle.
There was moment of general melee
Engaged in by no less than a dozen, most
II them intended peacemakers, when
Deputy Marshal Leonard thrust the
telligerent Kentuckian back and put a
damper upon hostilities. Everybody
emerged from the heat of the controversy
uninjured, although Mr.. Johnson's cheek
was slightly Redeemed and the immacu-
tate silk hat Of Judge Jere Wilson had
1sen sadly ruffied.
'I call upon you, gentlemen. to witness
elat was assaulted" said Mr.. johnson,
4pmewhat excitedly. This was assented
4y the bystanders, aud Judge Bradley
Strode upon the scene, demanding to
know the cause of the trouble. Mr..
johnson, Mr.. Carlisle and Mr.. Wilson
aid the case before him, stating that the
Kentucky lawyer had made an unpro-
voked assault upon Mr.. johnson.
Judge Bradley was very indignant.
eve cannot have this here, gentlemen"
he said sternly. "You must understand
chat we cannot have such outbreaks.
till ascertain who are responsible for this,
9nd see to 1t that they are properly pun
ihed."
Judge Means what He Says.
That the Judge will fulfill his promise
% see that the responsible parties are
punished, no one who knows him enter
Gains any doubt. He is noted for the
strict order which he enforces in the court.
room. Yesterday he informed one spec
tator IN the room that the conrt was not
the house Of commons, and 1t was not
customary to wear hats there. Again he
raped three times very sharply upon the
Gesk whet Colonel Breckinridge and his
attorneys were conferring in over loud
tones.
The pugilistio encounter was not the
only sensational incident Of the day, for
Miss Pollard was carried sobbinR from
ths courtroom and fell in faint outside
Che door when testimony concerning the
birth of her child In 1883 was given. Two
faithful friends Of her own sex attended
her, and she was driven In q cab 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 offashionably
dressed young ladies who were summarily
81, Ax.A ha Cnf rfr buT T,A
Bradley.