The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1906-10-20
Case Decided Against Her,
Mrs. Huntington Wreaks
Bitter Vengeance.
LAST ACT IS EXCITING
Closing Scenes in Libel Suit Marked
By Dramatic Incidents-Min-
lister Passes Lie.

Mrs. Florence White Huntington's
criminal libel suit against Rev. Thomas
Dowell Phillips, formerly rector of the
Episcopal church at Indiana Harbor,
was decided yesterday afternoon bv
Justice Martin in favor of the defend
ant.
The proceedings were characterized
by several exciting little incidents such
as have been the rule at all of the pre-
vious hearings in the case. Among
other things the fair plaintiff slapped
the reverend defendant in the face with
a sharp resounding slap, shook her fist
at Justice Martin threatened one of
the attorneys with a steel-tipped cane
she carried, and burst into tears
| When she finally swept from the
courtroom and began to weep hysteric-
ally Justice Martin had fed the scene,
and was not present to fine the lady
for contempt of court for the slap she
conferred on Rev. Phillips facial fea-
lures, and the opinion of all present
was that he was in hiding, lest he
should be called upon to take further
action in the matter and was well
pleased to let we'll enough alone
DR.. Phillips came to bat once or twice
during the proceedings. on one ocea-
sion telling the plaintiff that she lied.
When the decision of the court was
announced for the defendant Mrs. Hun
tington sprang from her seat, shook
her ist at Justice Martin. and shouted:
You're an unfair man, that's all! I'll
get justice somewherei"
Then she advanced upon DR. Phillips.
slapped him full in the face, and swept
from the room, bursting into tears as
she reached the door. Attorney Daniel
Mum declared the case ''nolle pressed, .
Joined the crowd, and hurried after her
They'd have fined her for contempt
of court for that in Canada" said DR..
Phillips as he went out.
Declares Whisky Story False.
Mrs. Huntington, who spent several
months as a missionary in DR.. Phillips
church, took the stand at her own re
quest when the afternoons session OF
court opened.
She started in by declaring false the
testimony of each of the witnesses who
had told of her fondness for intoxi-
cants while at Indiana Harbor.
What about your drinking a quart
of whisky in two hours and half or
one accasion?" asked Justice Martin
Il never drank it. l never in my life
had any of that brand of whisky they
tell about. DR.. Phillips bought me just
two bottles of whisky in six months
He asked me If I wouldn't like it, ant
said that he always had it on hand"
That's a lie interrupted DR.. Phil
lips from his seat near the witnes:
stand.
The witness accused DR.. Phillips o
putting up a job on her after BishoI
White wrote him saying that DR.. Phil
lips was dismissed from his charge.
why" impIored the witness dram
atically. why should this man be al
lowed to hound woman, Judge? H,
has dogged me through three states
When 1 was in St. Luke's hospital h
came and tried to get entrance to m!
room. I had to beg the attendants t
keep him out. Is there any way in tn
world that can be protected from thi
man? 1 ask it of you and of this com
pany," she concluded, rising and turn
ing to the audience with a dramati
gesture. Il ask it for my honor"
Kindly step down." said the justice
curtly.
Other witnesses were called. with tn
, result that when all the testimony wa
) in decision in favor of Reverend Phil
lips was rendered.