The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-07-03
CHARGE WAS FALSE.
John N. Miller, Formerly Of Mime
apolis, Is Cleared Of Libels
Of a Clerk.
Case Results in Disbarment Of the
Clerk in the California
Courts.

Late Los Angeles papers give the deci-,
sion Of the superior court there disbarring
Frank G. Bryant, a lawyer, from practic-
Ing in.the courts Of California. Qncident-
ally, this action marks the failure Of q
malicious attempt to besmirch John ~.
Miller, who before he went to California.
was a prominent and highly respected
attorneyiin Minneapolis.)
IN The circumstances leading up to the
trial Of this disbarment case have been
known to The j I'm a / since 1901, and
are mainly as follows:
Bryant was clerk In Mr.. Millers law
office In 1901, and in assisting a woman
to sell a piece Of real estate pocketed
$1,000 Of the $4,000 purchase price, say
Ing that she had agreed to allow him all
over $4,000 that he could sell it for.
When the woman told Mr.. Miller OF
the transaction he called his clerk In and
he admitted having retained the $1,000
and was Immediately discharged from
service. .. ~
Shortly afterwards when Bryant was
pursued by the woman and threatened
with arrest, he made the charge that
his employer, Mr.. Miller, knew all about
the land deal for the woman. He also
! said that he was introduced to the client
| by Mr.. Miller, who told him to do what
| he could to; help her sell the land, and
| that he gave Mr.. Miller one-half Of the
| 81 900, tho the woman testified that she
| had never talked with Mr.. Miller about
selling the land or introduced her to
| Bryant.
| One Of the Ave daily papers published
in Los Angeles pretended to give cred.
ence to Bryant's story, and published his
version Of the affair while Mr.. Miller was
away with his family. Is
After his return, when the article was
brought to his attention, Mr.. Miller de
| cided on vindication for himself, with
1 just punishment for Bryant and asked the
| bar association to investigate the charges
! in the following letter, addressed to Judge
/ Lucien Shaw, president Of the bar asso.
| citation:
My Dear Sir: Within the week my attention
has been called to an article published In thu
Los Angeles Times OF June 20, 1901 Column 8
page y, which contains statements derogatory
Of my. character both as gentleman and as al
officer Of the courts Of the state Of California
which, II only half true. should bar ME from
assocn tion with respectable men, whether law
yers or laymen. Being member of the ba
OF the state respectfully ask that the associa
ton named OF which you are its worthy presi
dent, take steps soon may be possibly con
venient, toward a full investigation OF the mat
ters mentioned in the article, 80 far as the.
tend to an aspersion OF my character, with
view to the institution of disbarment proceed
/ tngs against me, If there be found shad
of truth in the matter referred to- am, yer.
Respectfully, John NJ. Miller.
l The committee appointed by the ba.
association to investigate the matter
after hearing all parties and numerous
1 witnesses, made this report:
Our conclusions as to the charges made agains
or reflections cast upon Mr.. Miller are as fol
lows: 3
i First-That the real estate transaction re
ferred to In the newspaper article was conducte
carried and contaminated by the said Fran
G.. Bryant alone, and without the knowledge o
" Mr.. Miller. ss.s
;. Second-That Mr.. Miller was In no way :
party to or connected with said transaction.
Third-That he did not, at any time, deman
or receive any part Of the $4,000 alleged to hay
tbeenf received by Mr.. Bryant or receiver an
fhcneht from said transaction either directly b
indirectly. $500 3<, rsts5a:s.:s
Fourth-That Mr.. Miller was not guilty q
any unprofessiona1 or wrongful act or conduct /
connection with said transaction.
Fifth-That he is entitled to be fully exor
Grated from any participation In the said transat
!, ton, and from any reflection upon his intef
! rity and professional conduct and standing col
: tanned in said newspaper article.
A separate report will be made as to the rehe,
J tions upon Mr., Bryant.
The committee report as to Nj
Bryant recommended that the bar asso
, citation should begin proceedings to disba
I Bryant. Such proceeding was begun wit
the result above mentioned.
Judge Miller has always been held |
/ the highest esteem by members Of tn
bar and public, and his vindication by tn
: bar association is taken as an evidenc
: Of his worth ability and standing.