The Savannah morning news., 1904-03-22
LAWYER CURSED
COURT OFFICIAL
OVER CHARGES OF 65 CENTS.
ATTORNEY JOHN e. MYRICK RULED
FOR CONTEMPT BY JUDGE SPEER.

Must show Cause March 80 why He
should Not BE Punished for Con-
tempt-Attorney Alleged to Have
Cursed Deputy United States Court
Clerk Gillespie - Trouble Arose
Arose Over Charge of 65 Cents for
Issuing SubpOenaes-Applied Vile
and Abusive Epithets to Clerk and
Interferred With His Duties, 1t Is
Alleged.
For the alleged cursing of Mr.. S. F.
B. Gillespie and applying vile epithets
to him as an official of the United
States Court, John E. Myrick, Esq, has
been ruled by Judge Emory Speer and
ordered to show cause on March 80
why he should not be adjudged in con-
tempt of court and punished. The
trouble is alleged to have begun over
a debt of 65 cents.
The court had scarcely begun the
work of the day yesterday morning
when District Attorney Ackerman
presented the charges. The al
legations charge Mr.. Myrick with
having used vile, abusive and profane
language to a court official, and hav-
ing hampered him in the performance
of his regular duties. Attached to the
motion of Mr.. Alderman is an affidavit
made by Deputy Clerk Gillespie, stat
ing the particulars of Mr.. Myrick S
conduct
1t is charged that on March 49, Mr..
Myrick employed language in address,
ing the deputy clerk which was abu-
sive, profane and threatening. This
took place in the deputy's office, which
is on the same floor as the court room
of the district court, and the private
chambers of Judge Speer. This action,
says the paper drawn by Mr.. Akerman,
showed gross and wilfull contempt of
court, and tended to reflect upon the
dignity and honor of the court, and to
interfere with the duties of the officers.
How the Trouble Occurred.
The trouble, according to the affi-
davit of Mr.. Gillespie, arose over a
debt of 65 cents. Mr. Myrick has been
retained as counsel by George P. Hart,
awaiting trial for causing one Lula
Durham to be held in a condition of
peonage. In order that the proper wit
nesses might be present in the inter
ests of his client, Mr.. Myrick wrote the
deputy clerk, requesting that a certain
number of subpoenaes be issued.
In the letter there was no statement
made that the defendant was a pau
per, and as a result, according to in
structions, Mr.. Gillespie sent the bill,
covering the cost of issuing the sub
poenaes to Mr.. Myrick. This amount
was 65 cents.
On the night in question Mr.. Myrick
entered the deputys office, and in
overly strenuous terms objected to this
bill In his objections, it Is
charged, he cursed the clerk
abusive epithets. He refused to leave
the office, and is alleged to have defied
the clerk to put him out.
The matter was reported to Mr..
Akerman and to Marshal Barnes, and
after the rule was issued the proper
papers were served by one of the
deputy marshals.
MIR. MyricIx's Statement.
When the rule was issued Mr.. My
rick at once arose and made a short
statement in his own behalf Among
other things he asked for a sufficient
length of time in which to prepare an
answer, and to engage counsel to de-
fend him. and in conclusion said:
Il expect to show this court that
the trouble was only the elimination
of trouble that has been brewing for
some time. The constant dripping of
water wears away stones, and such ag-
gravating acts have been constantly
aimed at myself, that at last my an
ger broke all bounds and my patience
could endure the strain no longer"
In reply Judge Speer, after stating
that he would make the rule returna-
BILE March 30 said: "It is to be hoped
that the attorney can show some suf-
ficient cause for such reprehensible
conduct" 4"