Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-02-08
FIGHT FEELING
REACHES COURT
LAWYERS, POSSESSED OF SPIRIT
OF THE TIMES, MIX IN FISTic
CLASH WHILE TRYING CASE
BEFORE JUDGE ELDREDGE.

The spirit of the gladiator was upon
Ottawa yesterday.
With possible war with Germany
looming over the Eastern horizon, and
the Gayety fisticutfs of the night be-
fore still fresh in their memories,
civilians in all walks Of life sailed
forth to their days labors with chips
on both shoulders. They were going
to conquer the world, 40 matter how
great the hazard
The indomitable spirit of conquest
went so far as to peryade the sacred
quarters OF the circuit court, where
the grand wind-up of week OF battles
was staged late in the afternoon, with
A. L. Cutters and II. H. Nicholson pit
ted against one another for the La
Sale County Bar Association belt.
Judge Eldredge was an unwilling ref
cree to the bout and decided the scrap
against both contenders for the legal
"champecnship,' and assessed a fine
OF $50 against each as good measure.
Seconds were Deputy Circuit Clerk
Charles Gleim and Deputy Sheriff Ar
thur Barrett; Glenn for his neghbor
and Barrett for lis Republican broth.
er.
The mill went one round to a draw
Catch weights prevailed and after th>
two men had parted and drove home
/ thrustss for several minutes--it seemed
ike hours sentiment among the spec
tators was divided as to who shoult
be given the shade Both Mr.. Richol
son and Mr.. Buffers came out of tn
ARRAY with as much blood as the,
went in with. Their physiognomie
were unmarried after encountering hy
ing fists.
They were two submissive and hum
bic lawyers who stood before the ba
OF Justice and waited the pronounce
/ ment which would hold them in con
tempt They were given until this
morning at 8 O'Clock to pay their fines
or stand committed
Wrought to the breaking point by
4 the strain which a hard-tried case
had brought them to- spectators il
the court room made considerable al
lowance for the two men exhibiting
bit of nerves when each took ex
/ ception to the others veracity.
That neither meant any offense tt
the court or its sanctity was evidenced
by the prOtuse manner il which the,
apologized for their conduct. As sool
as the struggle was over the partici
pants shook hands and retired to tn,
ante-room to further explain to on,
another just how sorry they were TO
the whole affair. They departed from
the court room as friends.
The trouble began whel Mr.. RichoI
son made a statement to the jury il
the Carl Diesbeck suit for damage
against Charles Siegert Mr.. Buffers
witnesses claim, excepted to his oppc
nents allegation that the defendan
had once tried to settle the suit on
of court.
THAT is not the truth, Mr.. Butter
is reported to have said as he wake
toward Mr., Nicholson.
Il can prove it by your client M
RiCholson replied
IF You say that You are a,
MI. Buffers replied
IF YOU deny it You are q ----," r,
sponded Mr.. Rcholson just as hea
cdlv.
With this dialogue nicely atarte
Mr. Cutters was within arms reach {
Mr. Nicholson and Ire shot a riel
hook toward the lattcr's Jaw Th
blow landed. Nicholson responde
with quick rights and lefts upon h
antagonist $ face, The two rushe
across the room exchanging wallQp
but inficting no serious hurts upC
one another. About the time Il
swinging. slashing. tbreshing hogge
were al the height Of their glory, De
uty Sheriff Barrett seized Mr. Butte
and spectators overp0wered Mr. Ric
+ olson and the fight ended there.
= The fines were paid this morning.