The morning call., 1895-01-24
His TEETH WE'RE RATIFIED.
Attorney Perry's Molars Disloeated
by a Blow.
Contractor ROuntree and Collector Rauer's
Wrestling Match in Justice
kerrigan's Court.

There was a lively war in Justice KERR
CAMS courtroom yesterday. Two attorneys
were involved and each was supported by
his client. For few minutes chairs were
toppled over, table overturned, lawbooks
sent flying in different directions, ink bot
ties emptied of their contents and mass
of struggling humanity was to be seen
pummeling and grasping each other like a
Gaelic football team near goal.
The trouble all occurred in the trial of
the case of j j. Rauer against James Roun-
tree of the firm of Rountree Bros, contrac-
tors, for $S4, the claim being based on the
sale of some old lumber from the Midwin-
ter Fair to the defendant. Rountree when
on the stand testified that the lumber had
been sold to him by James E. Whittier,
and said that if he paid Rauer's claim he
might be subjected to future litigation. He
did not know that Whittier was the agent
of Rauer.
When Whittier was placed on the stand
he testified that he was the agent of Rauer
and had sold the lumber to Rountree as
such.
"Did Mr.. Rountree call at your house
last night and ask you," began Attorney
Perry representing Rauer. There was an
objection to this question, and Lawyer
Charles H. Hubbs, for Rountree, and Perry,
for Rauer began to interrupt each other.
81 will not keep still, said Perry. He
no sooner had the words out of his mouth
when Rountree leaned over and struck
Perry singing blow in the mouth. Perry,
who is cripple, fell over on the table, and
received another blow on the jaw.
Rauer jumped in at this point, calling
Rountree name for striking a cripple,
and the two went for each other in great
style. Lawyers Hubbs and Perry each
caught hold of their respective clients, and
the melee became general. The whole
party became tangled up, rolling on the
floor in the direction of the door. Blows
rained like hail, and Rauer apparently was
getting the best of the fight.
While the belligerents were thus en-
tangled in mass Justice Kerrigan recov-
cred from his surprise at the infringement
on the courts dignity, and directed an at
torney present to go for some Sheriff's
deputies. At the same time the Justice
called to the fighters from the bench say
ing:
"You are all in contempt and l will fine
each one of you heavily"
The words fell ominously on the ears of
the contending parties, and there was an
immediate cessation of hostilities. They
began to realize that their ebullition of pas
sion was going to cost them dollars and
cents, and humility took the place of rage.
1t was amusing to witness this sudden
transformation from ferceness to docility
With humble aspect Rauer arose from the
floor, and addressed the angry Justice,
humbly apologizing for his exhibition of
himself in the role of a prize-fghter He
regretted the action, but said he could not
stand by and see a cripple struck. my
hand is bitten" he said, land I do not
know but my nose is broken and the
humbled collector rubbed his nasal appen-
dage feelingly.
Lawyer Hubbs expressed the deepest re-
greet at the unseemly occurrence, and said
he had only participated in the melee as a
peacemaker. He said he met with the
usual fate of him who throws oil on the
troubled waters.
Attorney Perry, who is an ex-State Sem
ator, followed in an apologize strain, say
ing, my teeth are all loose and my jaw is
all sore"
Lastly Rountree had his turn, and also
the part he had taken, saying he
was struck first. This fact nobody could
prove, as the whole incident had occurred
SO quickly.
Justice Kerrigan was much Modified at
the pacific mein and apologize words of
the belligerents, and said that though he
had intended to infiict heavy fines, he
would let the offense pass this time. At
this Judgment there was an immediate
beaming OF faces, and the case was pro-
ceeded with.
Justice Kerrigan gave Judgment for
Rauer, and Rountree paid the money be-
fore he left the courtroom. Rauer after
ward stated that the reason why Rountree
became wroth was because Attorney Perry
was about to ask him whether he did not
go to Whittier's house the night previous
and tell him (Whittier) that if he testified
he was not the agent of Rauer, Whittier
could have the money for the lllm her