Los Angeles herald., 1906-08-01
WOMAN IS CAUSE
OF WORDY WAR
JUDGE AND COUNSEL NEARLY
COME TO BLOWS
Justice Pierce Resents Actions of At
torney CaIhain and Finally
Calls Officers of the
Court

AS a result of the bitter feeling en-
gendered by the civil suit of a local
real estate firm against Miss Maude Il.
Terry of Long Beach, Attorney j. c..
Calhain, representing the firm, yester-
day indulged in a heated argument
with Justice Pierce in open court.
The affair nearly resulted In blows
and finally caused the justice to call
the officers of the court to interfere in
the argument.
According to the story told of the case
by witnesses yesterday Miss Terry has
created no end of trouble for the at
torney She is a real estate dealer at
Long Beach and owns valuable prop
erty. For several weeks it is said, the
attorney has failed to get payment
after having won Judgment against
her
Finally she was ordered to appear in
court and it was testified by the officer
who served the citation that the woman
threw the courts papers on the floor
and said she would not go to court
Contempt of Court Charged
A second citation for contempt OF
court was issued and bench warrant
was sworn out, but the woman came to
Los Angeles without the warrant and
yesterday appeared in court.
In presenting the case Attorney Cal
gain began to explain the number of
papers served on the woman and the
condition of the case as it stood then.
His language was proper, but his
manner was too forceful, according to
the judgment of the justice, and the at
torney was ordered to stand aside while
the Justice examined. The woman failed
to explain her actions satisfactorily.
While Justice Pierce was questioning
her Attorney Calgain began suggesting
questions, only to receive a further re-
buke from the court.
The trial terminated when Justice
Pierce fined the woman $25 for contempt
of court. Attorney Calhain then began
to ask regarding costs.
Justice Is Aroused
"Sit down. said Justice Pierce.
81 am addressing this court in re-
spectful manner and l have a right to
speak," answered Calhain.
"Sit down! If you say another word
[ will fine you'll" shouted the Justice a
second time in voice that could be
heard half Il block
I'm an officer of this court and I'll
not sit down!" yelled Attorney Calhain
above the din.
"Bailiff, come here quick!" fairly
shrieked Justice Pierce, as he pounded
the bar with his fist.
I'm an officer of this court" came
the reply of Calhain.
| Again Justice Pierce called for bail
iff and Deputy Constable Mccullough
appeared in the court room.
IF that man does not sit down or he
speaks another word take him out Of
here and put him in Jail" shouted
Justice Pierce.
Lawyer Leaves Room
Mccullough looked as though he did
not fancy getting mixed up in the case
and Attorney Calhain turned his back
on the court, and walking over to the
rack took down his hat and left the
court room.
Thereafter the woman was given
twenty-four hours wherein to pay her
fine and court adjourned.
II consider 1t my right to conduct my
cases without interference" said Justice
Pierce. when Attorney Calhain came
in here this morning he showed a per-
sonal feeling I'm this case against that
woman. 1 was trying to treat Miss
Terry as a lady should be treated, but
/ was continually Interrupted until
was compelled to take drastic measures
to stop the interruptions.
II consider that a contempt case
should be settled between the court and
the person alone. The woman, was not
in contempt of the attorney; she
was in contempt Of court, and / will
not stand further Interruptions in such
cases"
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