The morning call., 1894-11-29
IN PORTALS GARB.
Mrs. John Martin Her
Own Counsel.
Judge Murphy Hears a Woman's
Strange Reasons for the Nom
Payment of a Fee.

Mrs. JOHN Martin had chance to add fresh
laurels to her already enviable reputation as a
Iltigant yesterday by appearing before Judge
Murphy as counsel for herself In the action
brought against her by Grove L. Johnson to
recover fees
johnson had agreed TO accept baby Johns
case on consideration of $1,000. which was
given In the shape of two promlSSory notes for
$500 eacn. One of these notes is due and
upon it The receipt of 500 Is aek noWledgpd.
But Johnson never could get his $500 balance
and when he applied for it lie was met with i
facetous answer from Mrs. John Martin TO the
elect that ne hadn't earned IL. So the Sacra-
mentO lawyer appointed Albert I. Roche his
collector aud straightwsy brought suit against
Mrs. John.
Before Judge Murphy the parties assembled
yesterday morning. Grove johnson was there.
accompanied by his associate IN the Martin
will case, Waller II. Linforth. ana his attor-
ney, Mr. Benjamin. MessrS- L. L. Phillips and
john Ii. Henderson are now Mrs. Johns attor-
neyS, but they did not accompany the worthy
lady, and 1t was announced that she intended
10 conduct her own defense.
The preliminary business was soon got over.
Then with flashing eyes Mrs. John rose and
faced Judge Murphy, and at once entered upon
a vehement defamation against John son,
whom she accused of gross dereltclon OF duty,
She blamed him for The loss of her infant sons
case.
Your Honor shouted Mrs. John, mt
Johnson did a very wrong thing when he re-
ferred 10 my child before that inry as the sin
less child of sim That is not true, and the
statement prejudiced the jury against me-"
MADAM" testify Interrupted the Judge
This is not he time 10 argue the case. Ii you
have any evidence to produce please let us
have It,"
johnson said he worked hard enough in all
conscience for his eccentric client He con-
Quoted the,case In every way in the best inter
ests OF the child. Any expressions made use of
by him were used TO make the best possible
Impression upon tile jury.
''Mr. Johnson" asked Mrs. John, did you
not write TO me after the verdict was rendered
saving you would have nothing more 10 do with
the case2'
NO" replied johnson. 81 simply Informed
you that l wished TO be paid before performe ed
any more services. You yourself agreed to a
substitution OF attorneys"
Then Mrs. John tried another tack "Mr
johnson. did you not refuse to allow me to take
the stand ?"
johnson agreed to this and was understood
to say hat 1t would have been better for Baby
Johns interests If Mrs. Martin had kept away
! from court altogether
Linforth took the stand and said that after
| the trial was over he consulted with johnson
| as 10 what was TO be done. Finally, a litter
! was composed and written to Mrs. John Mar
| TIN, wherein johnson and Linforth offered To
| remain In the case provided that their fees
were paid. That was the sole condition i'm
| posed.
You never refused to go on with Mrs. Mar.
tins case ?" asked Attorney Benjamin.
LinfOrth replied i'll the negative and further
| stated that the substitution of attorneys was
/
| wish and consent.
Mrs. John Martin had promised to pay him
| S2500 down for conducting the Martin will
case with a contingent fee OF $4,000 In case OF
! victory. He had been waiting for his money
| for some time and young Llntorth thought il
! was all very hard lines.
"Your Honor" suddenly exclaimed Mrs
| John Martin, 81 have letter from Mr. John
| son in my possession in which he positively de-
clnes to have anything further to do with my
case. l demand continuance until Friday tC
enable me 10 produce that letter."
Cant give you Till Friday" was Judge Muir.
| phys curt reply. produce your letter by 9
| O'Clock this afternoon"
Mrs. John pleaded. and Judge Murphy finally
gracefully acknowledged his defeat. Make il
Friday" lie said.
| Mrs. John beamed with Joy, and as she gath.
| cred up her books and papers she remarked
loud enough for johnson and LinIorth to hear
that she had spent $4,000 on the Martin viii
case and had paid one expert $50. Then she
bounced out of the courtroom 10 get ready fol
Fridays battle.