The San Francisco call., 1908-11-10
WOMAN MAKES AN
ATTACK ON JUDGE
Angered at Sturtevant, She
Grasps at SatcheI and Jurist
Fears for Life
Clerks and BaiIiffs Hear Noise
of Struggle, Rush in and
Eject AssaiIant

Miss Bee Taylor, an inveterate liti-
building about noon yesterday by MAX
ing a threat and move for a hand
satchel, which Judge Sturtevant re-
garded as a menace to his life. The
was reaching for a revolver, grabbed
the bag, called for bailiff and had her
elected from his chamber. Miss Tay-
lor was allowed to leave the court
precincts without the satchel being
searched.
1t is my opinion there was a gun in
the bag" stated Judge Sturtevant, land
that Miss Taylor intended to shoot me.
But felt that l would rather look into
the neck of a lady's satchel than into
the business end of revolver" he
added whimsically. Clerk of Court H.
J. Alexander. who was prominent among
those who removed the woman from
the judges chambers, is also of opinion
Miss Taylor had a revolver.
Bee Taylor's dispute with the pre-
sidln judge arose from a demand she
made that he transfer from Judge Buck
the hearing of case in which Charles
Z. Naylor, an attorney. is suing her for
$1,000 fees. She asked Judge Buck to
nave the case tried before a jury. The
judge consented, but under the new
rule of the superior court told the
woman, who is conducting her own case
that it would be necessary for her to
deposit s34. the fees of the jury and
reporter for the first day. This she
refused to do, and afterward went into
Judge Bucks chamber and protested
against the decision. Meeting with no
success she interviewed the presiding
judge.
The conversation had lasted about
five minutes when the fracas occurred.
Judge Sturtevant said he listened
quietly to her story and explained that
1T was impossible for him to transfer
the case upon her demand, and that he
would not take any action upon Judge
Bucks order that she deposit jury fees.
oh, you can't, can't your" said Miss
Taylor. As she spoke she hurriedly
picked up her satchel. which was lying
on the desk, and fumbled at it's fast
ening. But the judge grabbed the
woman's hands and the bag with them,
and called loudly for the bailiff. His
clerk. Alexander, sitting in court Just
across the corridor, heard him and
rushed to his assistance. Alexander
caught hold of the woman's wrists and
pulled her toward the door. She strug-
Sleu 1rantlcally, with the strength OF
one possessed. Further aid came from
Bailiff Kragan, Bailiff Curtis of Judge
Seawell's court and Assistant City At
torney Nourse, who were attracted by
the uproar, and the woman was hustled
into the passageway. After looking in
a threatening way at Alexander and
asking him If he was clerk of the court
she walked away, muttering that she
would FIX" the judge.
Miss Taylor was once a clerk In the
navy department at Washington, but
was dismissed because she made
charges against President Mckinley in
connection with the administration of
the Philippines. She brought suit for
reinstatement, but without success. Ex-
Second Assistant Postmaster General
James T. McCleary is her brother in
law. Attorney MAYORS suit against
her has been on the calendars of the
superior court for more than three
years. 1t grew out of services rendered
her by Naylor in her capacity as ad-
ministratrix of the will of her deceased
uncle, James D. Taylor. The suit has
been in four or five departments of
the superior court, Miss Taylor having
secured its transfer by expressing dis
trust Of the judges to whom 1t was as
signed. She has generally tried to
conduct the case herself and the judges
have been very lenient and forebear-
ing with her. Colonel Thomas F. Barry
has at times represented her.