Los Angeles herald., 1905-10-07
WANTS To FIGHT
W|FE'S ATTORNEY
WALTER E. SANDMAN IN A
STORMY SCENE
Defendant In Contempt Proceedings
Argues With Lawyer Claiborne In
Court House Corridor, Friends
Preventing Clash

Following a stormy argument before
Judge Trask of the superior court
Yesterday afternoon, Walter E. Sand
ham, charged with contempt of court
in that he refused to allow his divorced
wife to see her baby boy, renewed
the argument with Attorney Claiborne
representing the woman in the corri-
dor of the court house and fistic
encounter was prevented only by the
interference of Sandham's relatives,
who hurried from the building.
The Sandman troubles have been In
court many times. Several months ago
Mrs Annie S. Sandman filed suit for
divorce. Before the case was heard'
Sandman filed a complaint charg-
ing his wife with misconduct. He was
granted the divorce and the custody
of his son. Edmond. The custody of
the little girl and $40 a month allmony
was allowed the woman.
There was a clause In the decree
permitting the woman to visit her son
and the father to visit the little girl.
Mrs. Sandman went to the home of
Mrs. J. II. Doty, at Pasadena. and de-
manded to see her child. Mrs. Doty,
wife of the Pasadena carriage manu-
facturer and sister of Sandman. allow
ed Mrs. Sandman to see the boy. but
later is alleged to have refused to al
low the woman to enter her home.
Charges Vulgar Actions
According to Sandham's attorney. the
language used by Mrs, Sandman was
the cause of the trouble at the Doty
home 1t was alleged by the attorney
that Mrs Sandhams language and ac-
l. H. foel,iN hi ut G.
idence were so vulgar that Mrs. Doty
was compelled TO take to her bed and
later to the mountains and another
member Of the family was so shocked
that she was compelled to go to
the mud baths for treatment.
Mrs, Sandman filed a complaint
charging her husband with refusal
to comply with the order of the court
and he was cited for contempt, the
case being heard in Judge Trask's
chambers.
After extended argument Judge
Trask ordered that the father bring
the boy to some place in Los Angeles
once every two weeks so the mother
might see the child.
How long can she keep the boy?"
asked the father.
For an hour or more" answered the
Judge, land she will he allowed to
take the youngster for a walk"
won't you rule that she mustn't
buy the boy any candy or soda water
while on the walk, so that his little
stomach will not suffer-" pleaded the
anxious father.
Sandman then asked what arrange
ments were to he made regarding his
visits to his baby girl.
Visit your baby at it's mothers
home said the judge.
ut is not a fit place for me and 1
cannot go there" remarked the father.
Rebukes Father
"Mr. Sandman" replied the court,
'you have made such a remark several
times, now, and l can tell you 1t is
not helping your case any. A father
with love for his baby will visit it no
matter where it is"
AS a last resort, the attorney for
Sandman pleaded that Mrs. Sandman
was not a fit person to visit Mrs.
Dotys home or see the little boy.
THAT woman has niece in house
of ill-fame and speaks to her." said
the attorney.
There is no ruling, legal or moral,
that can censure one member of fam
lily for speaking with another member
of the same family, no matter how
low they have fallen" responded the
judge.
"There is 500 due Mrs. Sandman as
alimony" continued Judge Trask, and
he ordered Sandman to pay up.
Sandman took the twentydollar gold
piece from his purse and placing it on
the table, skated it gingerly over to his
wife
AS the parties left the courtroom, At
torney Claiborne made some trivial re-
mark to Sandhams father and the
younger man Immediately became en-
ragged and trouble began
Sandman started toward the attor-
ney, but friends interviewed and Attor-
ney Claiborne remarked. 81 will see
you later and left the court house.
At the same time, Sandman was try
ing to get away from his sister, who
was holding him, and as Claiborne left
the building, Sandman said, "I'll get a
gun and go after that fellow"