New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-07-25
A LAWYERS OBSTREPEROUS CLIENT.
WHEN TAKEN 10 COURT BY THE SHERIFF SHE
REFUSES 10 ANSWER oUEsT1ONs-AD-
DRESSES THE JUDGE AS "BROTHER'

WHEN TAKEN TO COURT BY THE SHERIFF SHE
REFUSES 10 ANSWER oUEsTIoNs-AD-
DRESSES THE JUDGE AS ''BRoTHER"
Mrs Antoinette L. Schermerhorn. OF No $50
Eighth-ave.. who is eighty years old. was taken to
the City Court yesterday by Deputy Sheriff Wal
gering under order from Justice Slower. The
order was issued account Of Mrs. Schermer-
horns avoidance Of an examination In supple
mentary proceedings In judgment for 1889 A.
which had been obtained against her by Erastus
H Benn her attorney. for services rendered.
Mr. Benn was Mrs. Schermerhorn's attorney from
1894 until June last. and defended numerous suits
for her including brought by her over the
will Of her father. Joseph Lasak and another
brought by Aaron Kahn who was at one time her
attorney She had paid Mr.. Bonn $500 on account.
and the amount OF the judgment which was en-
tered against her In the Supreme Court was still
due Mr.. Bonn recently obtained an order TO ex-
anime her in supplementary proceedings, but re-
peated efforts to serve It on her failed. AS last
resource the order bring her to court was issued
10 the Sheriff and served. IN spite OF her age
Mrs. schermerhorn is unusually bright and acute
and when brought into court she caused Mr.. Benn
a great deal Of trouble by her refusal to answer
questions She had no lawyer to represent her.
She was accompanied. however by young woman
with whom she lives on Eighth-ave.
Examined by Mr.. Benn. Mrs. Schermerhorn gave
her name and address. adding that she kept board
life interest In some property, managed by the
Brooklyn Trust Company. and that her income
from this should be $3.50 year She drew $1,000
Of this last May
rs there anything there on account for you
now?' asked Mr.. Benn.
Il don't suppose So" answered Mrs. Schermer-
horn.
well, ! will take II satisfaction Of my
Judgment. VIII you give me an order FOR ~?
II will give you order for nothing SAID MIS-
Schermerhorn. with vigor
What did you do with that $1,000
II have my own indebtednesses to pay. You find
out what did with it,
Mr. Benn declined TO take this answer.
Then you'll have to make the most OF It,, re-
piled the debtor
AS Mrs Schermerhorn refused to answer a num-
Der Of other questions. Mr.. Benn went down before
Justice Slower with her.
you must those questions said the
Judge.
Put brother" remarked the debtor, addressing
Justice Slower. they are private matters, and ]
cannot answer them"
You must answer them the best way you can
said Justice Slower
on her return TO the examination room Mrs:
Schermerhorn showed less asperity and admitted
that besides the $4,000 on deposit with the Brook
lyn Trust Company she had 10000 on deposit with
another trust company. which she got an In
come OF 81 200 n year. Once the debtor expressed
a wish TO have an X ray turned on statement OF
Mr. Benn. but finally after good deal or
vrangling with her late counsel. she listened to n
paid her debt in court and gave Mr.. Benin an order
on the Brooklyn Trust Company for S.lW held for
her at their Office. promising 10 pay 500 more IN
cash The lawyer gave her receipt, ana MIS-
Schermerhorn went home 10 get the SOO. apparent
" well satisfied.