The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1895-11-21
NJ 'GRATH'S ILLNESS
OVerwork Has Affected the
Nervous System of the
Lawyer and Judge.
QUEER CONDUCT IN COURT
Issues Warrants for Reporters
Arrest and Weeps While
on the Bench.
HIS FEAR OF ASSASSINS
Accompanied About by a Police
man-Careful Treatment
Alone Can Restore His
Health.
HIS FEAR OF ASSASSINS

For some days past lawyers and others
having business with Judge John A. Nc
Grath have been commenting the
Judges strange actions and have been
convinced that he was suffering from
nervous prostration brought on by over
work
This morning he sat in Justice Puster's
court and the cause for wonder was
multiplied ten fold. There were twenty
or more lawyers in the court room, how
ever, at ten o'clock when Judge Me-
Grath walked in. He was accompanied
by Policeman Phil Short. who was in
uniform, and John Newkirk, a neighbor.
The Judge seemed excited. He made
his way to the bench, removed his coat
and raped for order.
Gentlemen" he began, ST was at
lacked by assassins last and would have
been killed had not God saved me. was
stabbed in the neck. 1 fought them off
but thought I was going to be killed.
He arose from his seat, made his way
to Ex-Judge Seymour, who was in the
court room, and throwing his arms
around his neck exclaimed, my old
comrade L had narrow escape. Look
at the wound they inflicted
Ex-Judge Seymour did as directed. but
could only see slight scratch. probably
done with a pin.
HAD BEEN SICK.
Resuming his seat on the bench Judge
McGrath said
thought I was ell, mentally and physi-
cally, but find I am still heir to it.
If I have done wrong, they were errors
of the head not the heart want to
be pardoned by all of you. have
tried to serve my God and my coun-
try and treat all fairly. He then re-
ferred to articles published in the New
York World" and 1.-THE News relative
when he had trouble with Counsellors
Fielder and Dougherty.
81 have telegraphed to the New York
t'World' to have reporters here today.
reported, not abused.''
ORDERED A WARRANT.
He stopped for moment, 1oosened
his collar and directed Clerk Braden to
issue warrant for the arrest of James
F. Norton, a Word" reporter
'+That man is in contempt of court,
and will have counsel here next week
to fight the case. He must defend him
O'Beirne arrested for contempt. have
knowledge that he gave Reporter Norton
the information that Was published about
me- 1t was a scurrilous attack and un-
warranted.
my trouble with Counsellor Dougherty
is easily explained. You know we are Of
ten invited before the par. Not the bar
of justice. you know. Mr.. Dougherty
ed in 1891 by my departed friend. Leon
Albeit. I did not want 10 be Judge. but
was forced to take it.
when 1 was Is years old, entered
the army and served three months I
was compelled to retire by illhealth. AS
counsel of the Board of Freholders 1
have lost only few cases and I have
not asked for fees outside of my sal
ary.''
ADJOURNMENT ASKED.
He asked if any of the lawyers had
cases to be heard and one after another
asked for adjournment.
.tSee here, gentlemen he finally
shouted. 81 do not want you to think I
am not able to act today. / am all
right after my experience of last night.
III be here when you are dead and gone,
ard then will join you
He began to cry at this juncture, but
between sobs said:-"I was with God
last night. He was at my house and
saved me from assassination"
The Judge was growing SO excited that
his friends deemed it wise to adjourn
Court Constable Masker informed him
there were no cases to be heard and
he very reluctantly put on his overcoat
and started out. At the door he met
Assemblyman-elect Queen.
81 taveled through Europe last year to
see a Queen he exclaimed. "now we
have one here If His Majesty the Queen
has anything to say. let him proceed
Mr.. Queen made no response and the
Judge took his departure. Lawyers ex-
pressed their sympathy for Judge Nc
Grath in his afliiction.
Eow HE WAS HURT.
Il appears last Right near the Five