The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-12-03
FEDERAL COURT TAKES
 STEP TO PROTECT OFFICERS
Charged That Steagall Threatened
 Deputy Marshal.
Proceedings Result of Serving of Pa- pers on County OniciaIs in Fac nous Railroad Litigation
 steagan . Conner
 Appointee. &

Solicitor Henry B. Steagall. of Ozark. Dale County. was cited yesterday under rule issued by Judge Thomas G.. Jones, to appear and show cause why he should not be adjudged guilty or contempt for his alleged "mfspehavior towards Deputy United States Marshal William Pullum." The alleged misbehavior consisted Of . threat said to have been made by Mir. Steaeali that he would have the Sheriff of Dale County arrest the Deputy Mar shal for attempting to serve on him the papers in the Central of Georgia case. MT. Steagall is cited to appear before Judge Jones on December }.
 Solicitor Steagall' was but lately member of the Alabama Legisiature from Dale County. He Is one or the hest known men of the wiregrass. In the Legislature he was recognized as one of the Governors leaders Tn the House. He was appointed Solicitor by Governor Conner. On the creatioh oi the Lee County Law and Equity Court Solicitor c. A. l.. Sanford resigned as Solicitor of the Twelfth Judicial clrcult to accept the solicitorshtp Of the new court To the vacancy thus created MT. steagall was appointed by the Cover
 Refused Papers.
 & The incident which resulted in the issuance of the rule by Judge Jones oc, cured on November 3p. It ls oescrresu ,'s, fn an afidavit signed by Deputy rui- ,.. . M ,,a 1ybich was reported by Uni 4ad states Marshal Judkins, 10 Juose Jnres Deputy Pullum had gone 70 ozsrk to serve the Sheriff. the solicitor and the Clerk of the Court. he says that Solicitor Steagall refused 70 ac. eept the papers. It IS aiaesu
 that the Solicitor said.
 rs-. ovlf
 And again: I'm going to nave ,ns <tnrtef arrest you" or the Shefin 'S . going to arrest you. .ceertea ssniicitor steagail, however, ase1peeu a' . .ha naners. Mir PuIluni. on retufnins to Montgomery, spoke of ine ras,a, and had conversati1n. . astaiIed m a T,,a,xins about it. He later uetauso 'no srrident in the following amdavH. .o .y xxisIiam Pullum. beg leave ara tbe following statement 70 ln. sn,,yt. was in the discnarse ol antics as Deputy United states ma, Ns .h = snd as such went to the oiIice VI aIa eiN.,r of the Circuit Court or baio sLieIh VI A1a and after serving the s.ns;,inr order and subpoena Tn the s.a. ns the Central Trust Company as New York vs. the Centrai or ueo.s a@ Railway. upon him. requesteo mn ;,strodnce me to the Solicitor, anu sa'e clerk thereupon went with me to sns k~a A Mr n B. Steagall. Circuit Solici- .n. told the Solicitor T have got a
 .ar want to serve on you, anu SStl.1sIi replied, NO, I will not accept itn Thereupon the Solicitor said 'o me. the sheriff wants to see you anu Addressing me further. either salo' Am going to have him arrest you ss Ss s.o,np. to arrest you or words to that effect. told Steagall was not uneasy about being arrested. some .sntleman. possibly, the Probate Judge, standinr by. and calling Steagan oy name said o Henry. go on ana eahe inc paper The papers that serseo on him were the restraining orues n,arIxed Exhibit "A" hereto attached and the subpoena, marked Exhibit "B hereto attached. said papers being conies of the originals. After this re- mark by the gentleman standing oy. Mr. Steagall accepted the papers and I thanked him. This occurred on November 30. 1907,
 William Pullum.
 sworn to and subscribed oetore me this December 2. 1907.
 ]. w. Dimnick. Clerk.
 Circuit Court of the United states TOT
 the Middle District of Alabama
 On the filing of the affidavit Judge Jones issued the rule, citing solicitor SteaEall to appear and show cause why he should not be adjudged guilty Of contempt of court The order was as follows:
 ..In the Circuit Court of the United States, for the Middle District of Ala bama, the United States of America, vs. H. B. Steagall. 'On consideration of the report or the limited States Marshal. and the af- fidavit of Deputy Marshal William Pull lum as to the conduct of H. B. Steagall towards the Deputy Marshal, while the latter was acting In the discharge or his duty, in the service of the process and orders of this court upon said Steagall, a party to the suit, which orders and process referred to and made a part of said affidavit. it seems to the court that, unexplained, a prima facie case is shown of criminal con tempt of the authority of the court.
 It is thereupon considered and order ed by the court that the Clerk of the Court issue a rule In the name of the United States of America against H. B. Steagall, commanding him to appear before the Circuit Court of the United States for the Middle District of Ala bana, at Montgomery, Ala. on Thurs day the 5th day of December. 1907, at 10 o'clock a. m.. then and there to show cause why he should not be adjudged guilty of contempt for his alleged mis- behavior towards said Deputy Marshal as set forth in his affidavit. and that the United States Attorney for the Mid de District appear and represent the ! United States in this proceeding.
 It is further ordered that a copy of the affidavit of said Deputy Marshal. and copies of the writs and process therein referred to and made a part thereof. he served upon the defendant along with a copy of this order. Done in open court. this the End day of December. 1907.
 (Signed) Thomas G' Jones.
 Judge.
 RuIlnGs of Contempt.
 There are several sections of the Revised Statutes under any section of which a person may be judged guilty of contempt of court and fined or inn prisoned for ''intimidating" any officer of a court of the United States in the court. Section 725 is to prevent by fine l.....-i......... of ihA :