Omaha daily bee., 1902-12-27
FULL TEXT OF THE ROOT STORY
Original of Tale that was Twisted
Into an Absurd FAKE About J.
q. Root of This city.

Ah0 ANAA AFAN " Aut ulopdlNu WHICH was
distorted into the sensational story printed
in a local paper. making J. C.. Root, SOW
ereign commander Of the woodmen Of the
World, Of this city the moving figure in a
court scene at FL Paso, when he was here
in Omaha all the time, as published as a
special to the st. Louis Republic, is as
follows:
Fort Smith, Ark, Dec. 22.-Miss Agnes
Frizzel, who has taken a leading part in
charge Of criminal Islander, suddenly inter-
rupted the court proceedings this afternoon
by firing a shot from a revolver, pre-
barely grazed the head of Colonel Briz-
zolara, leading counsel for the defense,
but did no further damage.
Root fed from the court room quite pre-
cipitately and asked to be locked up I'm jail
for protection After a brief Imprisonment
home.
shortly after the shooting Colonel Bril-
zolara denounced the court for permitting
such conduct in the court room. A few
minutes later the colonel had a set-to with
James Frizzel, a brother of the plaintiff In
the suit, and they drew their revolvers in
by the prompt action of the chief of police,
who was present and disarmed them both.
rections, but If they should meet on the
street a killing might follow. Excitement
Is running high and no one can tell what
The trial of the Islander case was called
this morning. Nearly the whole of the day
was taken up by the hearing of evidence.
Miss Frizzel sat at the table with her
attorneys and actively engaged in the
prosecution of the case, not only suggest
ing important matters to her counsel, but
frequently engaging in the questioning her
self.
When all of the testimony was in this
afternoon the court asked the attorneys
how much time they desired in which to
make their arguments. Miss Frizzel arose
and replied that the plaintiff desired an
hour and a half. Judge Bryant of the
counsel for the defense remarked that he
pitied the jury If that much time was to be
consumed; that the defense desired only
Miss Frizzeil replied that a woman's char
acter was at stake and plenty of time
should be allowed. Colonel Brizzolara, who
had been watching Miss Frizzel, had gone
into an ante room to warn Root Of danger.
AS he came out he heard Miss FrizZels
statement and he loudly objected to any
such remark in the presence of the jury.
He had scarcely finished speaking when a
shot rang out.
PANDEMoNIUM REIGNED.
There was instant ~pandemonium- Every
one in the court room arose and made a
dash for the doors.
Colonel Brizzolara, seeing a revolver in
the hands of Miss Frlzzel, seized her arm
and wrested the weapon from her before
she could fire a second shot. Instantly
they were surrounded by court officers who
seemed to think that the colonel was try
after firing the shot Miss Frizzel became
hysterical and completely collapsed. She
was removed from the court room to her
home, where her condition is said to be
serious.
When the smoke cleared away Colonel
Brizzolara. took occasion to denounce the
court in the GLOWING language:
This court through its vacillating con-
duct during this and the Westfall trials is
responsible for this violation of all court
decorum. This court can impose a fine
upon me for contempt If 1t SO desires
astonishment he replied:
II am not responsible
You are responsible and wholly respon-
sible," continued Colonel Brizzolara, and
/ so assert without any qualification what
ever. You may hne me Tor contempt IL
you want to-"
ANOTHER STRUGGLE.
Colonel Brizzolara, while talking TO Chief
of Police Fuller later on, was approached
by James Frizzel, who made inquiry con-
corning the court incident and intimated
that IL Colonel BriZzolara said anything
concerning his sister he would be held
personally responsible.
Colonel Brizzolara drew a pistol saving
thai he had said nothing about Frtzzel's
sister, but was ready to be held account
able for anything. Frizzel also drew his
Chief Fuller disarmed them both and they
departed in opposite directions.
The SANDER suit grew out OF
made by Root, who was then publishing a
paper here, rejecting on the character OF
Miss Agnes Frtzzel.
AS soon as Miss Frizzel fired, Root, find
ing himself unhurt, left the court room in
haste and went to the county jail, where
he asked to be locked up. Later he was
driven to the home of Colonel Brizzolara,
his chief counsel.
Colonel Brizzolara refuses to leave the
street and as James Frizzel Is also without
fear there may be trouble between the two
4. they meet again.
Miss Frizzel Is at her home quite Ill, the
result Of the reaction.
The bullet Just grazed Colonel Brizzo-
lara's head, but the superstition is that
the shot was intended for Root.
Excitement resulting from the incident Is
unning high.