The daily morning journal and courier., 1903-04-17
FIST FIGHT IN COURT ROOM
LEGAL CONTEST DEVELOPS INTO
 PUGTLISTIC ENCOUNTER.

Attorneys Battling for Possession of a
 Young Millionaire Idiot Become Over
 excited-The Case That of Moses Fow-
 Ter Chase for Whose Guardianship His
 Father ia Fighting His Aunt and
 Uncle. >@
 Lafayette, Ind, April 16,-There was a fist fight in the circuit court room to- day between Attorneys Danuel Simms, representing Frederick Chase, father of Moses Fowler Chase, and A. L. Kumler, representing Mir. and Mrs. Charles Duhme. of Cincinnati, who are strug- gling for the possession of young Chase, the millionaire. The attorneys had met for conferenee with the judge as to what should be done with Moses Fowler Chase pending the hearing of the guardianship case. Kumler de- nounced the attorneys on the other side and also Chase's father, and declared that Moses Fowler Chase had been brought to Indiana from France by force and fraud.
 He had further asserted that the un- fortunate young man was put on exhi- bition at the law offices of Chase's at torneys, when ex-Judge E. P. Harwood shouted, That's an absolute false hood''
 Attorney Simms jumped from his seat and approached Kumler, who tried to ward him off, Simms then landed fierce right-hand swing on Kumler's jaw and followed it up with his left. Both blows landed, Kumler protecting himself as best he could.
 The court room was crowded, and lawyers, court officials and spectators sprang toward the combatants and dragged them apart The judge fined Simms $25 for striking the first blow, and this quieted matters.
 Simms then apologized and Kumler asked the court to remit the fine as he said he felt sure that Slmms struck in a moment of temper. The court remit ted the fine and directed that Moses Fowler Chase remain in the courts jurisdiction, with the understanding that MT. and Mrs. Duhme, his aunt and uncle, are not to interfere with him. They have the privilege of applying to court for authority to see him, how ever.
 The guardian application served on the young millionaire is returnable on April 27, for which day the case is set. Detective William Weinhart was placed on guard at the offices of Chase's at- o,,t the sheriff. Neither MT. nor Mrs, Duhme was at the train, as they wished to avoid scene, but Duhme's private secretary was there to look after their interests.
 Four physicians examined young Chase to-day and pronounced him in- sane. They declired his answers to the most simple questions were incoherent, although he appeared perfectly sane when taken off the train.
 Duhme's attorneys have decided not to file application for a writ of habeas corpus, or any other papers, to bring young Chase into court in his present excited state.
 Newspaper men were admitted to see Moses Fowler Chase this afternoon and he appeared to be gibbering idiot. He rambled on necessarily in low tone of voice, looking down toward his right hand, which he kept stretched out at length. His attorneys say he has not recognized his father from the time the latter saw him on shipboard to the present time.
 The young millionaire was taken to hotel by his father after the court proceedings and is kept in his room. His father will get house in a quiet part of the city for him tomorrow. Detectives are guarding the young man and he has three attendants constant ly.