The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-10-30
GREEMV|LLE LAWYERS FIGHT.
KNOCK DOWN AND DRAG OUT
SCRAP
Court House the Scene OF Furious
Ffsticuff During Vaughan Trial
Judge Purdy Threatened to Jail
Bclligcrcnts Before Order was Re-
stored.

Greenville, Oct. 25.--Hot blood
flowed at the trial of II. l.. Vaughan
in the general sessions court TODAY.
when Attorney John j. McSwain, as
sisting in the prosecution, and At
torney b. f. Martin Of counsel for
the defense, engaged in furious flsti-
cuff resulting from a dispute as to the
admission of certain evidence. For
several minutes the crowded court
room was thrown into a state Of hys-
terra and half dozen officers at
tempted to separate the combatants.
and 1t was by the narrowest margin
that n riot was averted. The disturb
ance was quelled for a few minutes
and then threatened to break out
afresh when a half dozen attorneys
interested in the case became engaged
in a heated wrangle.
Judge Purdy who had retained his
composure throughout the excitement,
realized that the situation had grown
extremely critical and at once brought
into play the power Of his station, by
threatening to put the next man to
open his mouth in anger in Jail. Order
was restored but it was some minutes
before the decks could be cleared for
action.
The first Of the prosecuting wit
nesses In one Of the cases against
Vaughan was on the stand at the time
the alteration took place. Counsel
for the defense was questioning the
girl as to whether or not Mr.. McSwain
was her attorney in a damage suit for
$4,000 which she had filed against
Vaughan just after his escape from
Jail. This question was the begin
ming OF the trouble. After a dramatic
wrangle, a low muttered growl was
heard, there was a sound Of some one
rushing across the floor, disturbing
chairs and table. In the twinkling Of
an eye Mr.. McSwain was upon Mr..
Martin and to all appearances had
dealt him a blow which knocked him
to the floor The next instant Mr.. Nc
Swain was upon the attorney, and
things were in such a state Of pande-
monium that 1t Is difficult to state
just what transpired.
The court room was thrown into
state Of panic. Sheriff Poole, who was
standing nearby, rushed upon the
combatants, but was powerless to get
them apart. A number Of officers and
spectators took hold Of Mr.. McSwain,
who Is Of splendid physique, but they
were tossed right and left. Finally
more officers and spectators sur
rounded Mr.. McSwain and bore him
to the floor. For several seconds the
scene resembled bootball scrimmage
first Mr.. McSwain being on top and
then the half dozen more who were
trying to quiet him. In the meantime
Mr.. Martin was taken out Of the room
and into hallway in the rear Of the
judges bench. Mr.. Martin was bleed
ing profusely from several scratches
on the right temple and jaw.
The court room was crowded to
overfiowing. The excitement spread
to the audience and many fled the
building while others rushed to the
front and took some sort of part in
the affair. With difficulty the mob
was beaten back behind the bar rail
ing. When order was restored Judge
Purdy made a brief statement in
which he deplored the incident, but
stated that 1t was an occurrence which
heither he nor the sheriff was able to
foresee. He stated that at the proper
time and In the proper manner he
would dispose OF the matter. Mr..
Martin and Mr. McSwain then asked
to be allowed to make statements to
the court. Permission was granted
and Mr. Martin explained his side OF
the dispute.
AT this point other attorneys be-
came engaged in the discussion and
when 1t appeared that hostilties were
about to be renewed Judge Purdy
arose and In very emphatic sto-e-
ment brought order out OF chaos. II
have managed to keep cool during this
trouble as becomes my position said
Judge Purdy, but ! am getting
pretty hot myself now. I don't want
TO hear another word about this mat
ter and II it goes on will put the Of
Tender in Jail and keep him there"
Within a few minutes after quiet
was restored the court ordered n re-
cess for lunch. The afternoon session
was held behind closed doors, only the