Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-10-18
ATToRNeyueSTER'S ANSWER
His Attorneys Ask an Immediate Trial Of
Gordon's Suit.
He States Propositions Made 60 Him
Every Allegation Made by Gordon.

One day last month, the 9Th. as reported
In The Star at the time, Fulton II. Gordon,
who had previously instituted divorce pro-
ceecings against his wife, Lydia G. Cor
don, entered a suit at law against Mrs. Cor
don's attorney. Mr.. Wharton T.. Lester. a
young member of the bar, claiming $1,000
damages, becarse OF Mr.. LISTERS alleged
betryal of Mrs Gordon. Mr.. Gordon filed
his suit for divorce In May last. alleging
cruelty on the part OF his Wife Suisse
quently Mrs. Gordon filed a cross-bIII, al
leging inhdelity on the part Of her husband
with one OF his guests at the Hotel Lin
coin. Later stIIl. Mr.. Gordon amended his
bill. charging Mrs. Gordon with having
committed adultery with her attorney. Mr..
Lester. The charge was Indignantly de-
MED by Mr. Lester. and he withdrew from
the case that he might the better protect
himself against the charge, Mr.. Vim. r.
johnson taking his place as Mrs. Gordon's
attorney.
Yesterday afternoon Messrs. J. J. Darling
ton and VIM. l.. johnson, counsel for Mr..
Lester, moved the court to assign the case
brought by Mr.. Gordon against their client
last month for trial during the present
term OF the court Two reasons are given
why the motion shouli be granted. First,
because the case involves serious charges
against the defendant (Mr. Lester in his
capacity as an officer Of the court. and sec
ondly, because the suit is a malicious attack
upon the defendant officer Of the
court, and because OF his refusal as such
officer, TO betray his trust. Mr.. Testers
counsel gave notice that they would SIX the
court to consider the motion next Saturday
morning.
MIR. Testers Charges.
In support Of the motion an affidavit
made by Mr.. Lester was fled In which he
makes the following charges:
The plaintif in said suit. who is six feet
or more I'm height. and OF athletic proper
lions, in May last filed a bill for divorce
from his wife on the ground OF cruelty 1
was retained as attorney by the Wife, filed
an answer fer her denying the CHARGES OF
cruelty. and fled also a cross-bill for divorce
charging aid plaintiff wit. cruelty .dcsertion
and adultery. Evidence was tEereupon taken.
sustaining, as 1 believe, all thee of those
charges After said testimony wac taken,
said plaintiff. both personally and through
his attorney, approached me- proposing TO
pay the wife $l.00 alimony in lieu Of any
which the court might. by its decree allow
her, and threatening that, IL I should refuse
this Offer he would amend his bin I'm the
cause and charge me with having had i'm
proper relations with his wife. In PERFORM
ance Of my duty, as L understood IL. TO both
my client and the court, I repudiated the
proposition. whereupon said plaintif did
amend his bill and made said charge against
me.
Another Proposition.
Thereafter. namely, on the morning OF
the day that the above entitled suit was in
stituted. said plaintiff sent TO me another
proposition, namely, that I should withhold
all testimony I'm support of the charges OF
adultery against him. and seek TO obtain n
divorce from his wife on the ground OF
cruelty, accompanied 10y n threat that unless
i consented TO do this he would institute the
present suit against me, accompanying his
said proposition with copy of the dsclara-
ton In this cause. Upon my again refusing To
be either bribed or intimidated into viola
ton of professional duty. the said suit on
the same day, filed against ne. for the sole
purpose, as L believe, Of securing public add
vertisement of said charg ss I'm the newspa-
pers and thereby maliciously injuring me as
an attorney of this court.
Il, on oath, say that the said charges are
wholly and absolutely untrue and without
even color of foundation; and submit that
as an officer Of the court attacked solely be-
cause of the performance of my duty as
such, i am entitled to immediate trial of
said cause and Of the opportunity TO prove
the allegations OF this affidavit"