The San Francisco call., 1896-07-04
His Honor Saw Unruh Stand
and Level a Pistol at
Crittenden.
EMMA A. ASHLEY HELD
Judge Joachimsen, After Hearing Evi.
dence, Reduces the Bail to
$4,000.

play of revolvers in Judge Slack's court
room Thursday morning was fines of 500
and $3.50 imposed, respectively, upon At
torney James L. Crittenden and Henry A.
Unruh yesterday. Unruh submitted to
the decision, but Crittenden gave notice
that he would appeal to the Supreme
Court.
When the contempt case of the two per-
sons was called large crowd was present,
drawn there by the association of the al
most tragic affair of the day before, when
Emma Ashley made a frenZied attempt'to
kill E. J. Baldwin and ayenge the alleged
wrongs OF her sister Lillian.
Crittenden asked the Judge what the
charge against him was. He was told tha
the specific charge was coming into tie
court arm ed with a loaded pistol, and that
he threatened to use it.
81 utterly disclaim having made any
threat of the kind, your Honor" he an
swered. "As to my carrying a pistol l
claim that | have that right when travel
ing as a resident outside of the City limits
have done so for years.
Now, l claim that there can be no con-
tempt because there was no intention to
commit contempt. The right to carry
firearms is guaranteed to every citizen by
has been disputed except as to concealed
weapons. And that right exists in nv
favor wherever l may be. The only ques-
tion is as to whether or not ali attorney
should, on entering courtroom, disarm
himself when he has no intention whatever
against the dignity of the court.
81 also deny that l threatened any one.
My own life was threatened when l en-
deavored to prevent an assault. [ saw an
unseemly scuffie going on between a man
and woman. [ separated them and the
man had pistol. He stood with it in his
hand and endeavored to cock it. Seeing
that and also seeing that the weapon was
leveled directly at me put my hand be-
hind me, and only to protect myself. It
was impossible for me to determine
whether Mr.. Unruh intended to use the
weapon or not; 1 only saw him with it.
II would like to ask, Is an attorney to
be at the mercy of others by being unable
to protect himself? 1 have been shot sew
eral times, and my arms are almost use
less as a means of defense, so l have
to protect myself in some other way. For
thirty years and during the war | have
carried pistol, and have only had occa-
sion to draw it once. On that occasion I
did not kill the person, although all per-
sons present said l ought to have done so.
Had this young woman killed Mr..
Baldwin-and | want to say right here l
am glad she did not-the plaintiff would
have lost all her rights in this case and
all litigation would have been ended. So
there was certainly no motive for con-
spiracy on the part of the lady, her sister
or any one else TO kill Mr.. Baldwin.
"And, had l intended to use my weapon
upon Mr.. Unruh, | could have done so
fatally without any difficulty. Those who
know me know that | can use a pistol.
But | did not so intend but merely to pro-
tect myself. My life has been threatened
in court and Judges have known of my
taking means to protect myself aud have
not objected. Once, in the United States
court, this occurred and Judge Hoffman
knew of my being armed. 1t is the same
for me to carry pistol as 1t is for other
men to carry a penknife, and l have a
pocket made for it in my pantaloons.
Without my pistol l am at the mercy of a
stronger man."
Henry Unruh on being asked what he
had to say, replied that while he was
wrenching the revolver from Emma Ash
ley he heard voice behind him saying,
'Let that woman alone" He feared an
attack in the rear, and Jerking the
weapon from the woman he turned around
and saw Crittenden facing him and pre-
pairing to draw his weapon. He had no
intention of firing.
'But did you not stand with the pistol
pointing at Mr.. Crittenden ?" asked Judge
Slack.
81 was so disturbed I did not exactly
know what / did. l only saw Mr.. Crit
tenden's movements and thought II he
draws on me / am done for l held the
pistol up and did not point it at Crit
tenden."
Your Honor" said the attorney, "saw
Mr.. Unruh point the weapon at me. L
prefer to have your statement"
"As held the pistol pointing up in the
air." said Unruh, 81 was wondering what
l.. II ao
useful in case / should be obliged to use
it."
al saw Mr.. Unruh standing on the floor
with the pistol pointed at Mr.. Critten-
den." observed Judge Slack. He prob
ably IN his excitement did not know that
he was doing so, but he was certainly in
that position. It is necessary for me to
preserve the dignity of this court and to
in6ict punishment for what occurred here
Yesterday. have no feeling other than
as an officer of justice.
"The greatest fault of Mr.. Crittenden lay
in bringing loaded pistol into court. No
attorney, nor any other person. shall
bring weapon here with my knowledge.
The court is perfectly able to protest its
officers from harm, if its attention is called
TO any threats made against any
one. Mr.. Crittenden, as an officer of this
court, should know this. By threats in
this instance refer to the attempt OF Mr..
Crittenden to draw weapon. Az 10 MT.
Unruh. saw him point the pistol at the
attorney, and / cannot be mistaken. His
arm was extended and the weapon was on
a level with his eve. The action was un-
mistakably threatening.
81 shall therefore impose fine of 800
on Mr.. Unruh and one of $3.50 on Mr.
Crittenden, or imprison ment in the Coun-
ty Jail at the rate of one day for every 81
OF the fines"
UIruh stated through his attorney that
he would submit to the decision. but Crit-
tenden informed the court that he de-
clined to pay the fine and would appeal to
the Supreme Court. Upon this Judge
Sheriff.
docs your Honor wish to humiliate
me?" asked Crittenden. Il have little
money myself ana l can furnish ample
security for my appearance here. l am
not going to run away"
4 4. Trs1