The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-01-25
FIGHT CAUSED A MISTRIAL.
ATTORNEYS HAD MIX-UP IN AN
ATLANTA COURT.

Charges and Counter-Charges Led to
a Battle With Fists-AtIanta's Ma
tionnI Park Committee-NegrO Civ
en- Ten Years for Trying TO Poison
the BIoodworth FamiIy-AtIanta' 5
Ordinance on Separate Cars for TN e
Races-Chatham's share of the
state school Fund.
Atlanta. Jan 24-Judge Reds court was
the scene of a lively fight at 10 O'Clock
this morning. The principals in the diff
ficulty were Judge Z. p. Westmoreland,
Col. p. II. Brewster and Mr.. George West
moreland.
The fight arose during the trial of a
damage suit against the Central Railroad
for $4,000 filed by Mrs. Rebecca Newman,
through her attorneys, Westmoreland
Bros. Attorney George Westmoreland
hand finished the cross-examinaton OF a
negro witness. and said to the court that
the evidence showed that the witness had
been brought into court and made TO tes-
tify when ne was unwilling 90 do so. This
brought Col Brewster to his feet in an
instant.
This case ought to be tried in decent
and orderly manner, your honor he said
IF Col Brewster says We are conduct
ing this case In a manner that is not de-
cent and orderly. he states what is false" y
hotly reioined Col. Westmoreland. Then
they mixed up in lively scrimmage but
were soon separated, when Judge West
xporeland Immediately began an attack on
the railroads counsel They were sepa-
rated. but in a few minutes went at it
again.
Atlanta is getting to be noted for its
scrappy lawyers. Judge Reid declared a
uistYial because of the fight.
After a National Park.
The following committee, appointed
from the Business Mems League and the
Chamber of Commerce, will leave for
Washington next Monday to present the
claim of Atlanta for a national park be-
fore Congress. From the Business Men s
League, z. P. Howell Hoke Smith j. 5.
b. Thompson, Alex Matterson, Walter II.
Johnson, B. B. Bullock, w. A. Hemphill,
C. T. Watson, D. Woodward, T. II. Mar
tin; from the Chamber of Commerce, Gov.
Gambler, Mayor Woodward, ex-Gov. w. j.
Northen, Clark Howell, C. A. Collier, 3.
F. Woodson E. P. Black, George c.
Smith, J. J. Spalding, H. H. Cabaniss.
Gen. JOnn b. GORDON leIt To-Day at aOoh
for New York, where he goes on business.
He will stop in Washington in the inter
est of the national park. His leg, which
was injured by fan several weeks ago,
is still giving him trouble but is rapidly
improving.
Tried TO Poison n Family.
Joe Thompson, a negro, was sentenced
TO serve ten years in the penitentiary this
morning by Judge John S. Gambler, for
I nA1
worth, Jr., on Jan. IA. The druggist who
sold the poison to Thompson testified that
he sold the negro 120 grains of cantharides
on the Friday before the family was poi
soned on Sunday. He warned the negro
of the poisonous nature of the drug, to
which Thompson replied that he had TAX
en- the medicine all his life. Thompson
claimed that he put the poison in a bucket
of beer and drank il the night it
was purchased, but his presence in
the court room convinced the jury other
wise The negro was seen in the kitchen
of Mr. Bloodworth while the cook, Thomp-
sons wife. was preparing the meal.
Separate Cars Wanted.
The Ordinance Committee met this
morning in the Mayors office to consider
the 'Longino ordinance to separate the
races on the street cars and public con-
veyances of the city. The ordinance pro-
yides for the enforcement of the state
laws regulating this feature of travel. The
committee, Of which Alderman Harvey
johnson is chairman, discussed the ordi-
nance briefly and then voted to refer il
TO the Board of Police Commissioners for
their information and consideration.
It was the opinion of the committee
that an ordinance to enforce the laws was
not necessary, but that the state laws
governing the matter would be enforced
when the matter was called to the at
tention of the commissioners.
State School Fund.
The apportionment of the state school
fund has been made by Commissioner
Glenn and the total amount TO be divided
is 81, 40, 642 OF this amount Chatham coun-
ty will get $S7, 1854