Omaha daily bee., 1921-07-24
Fiirecracker
Trial Stirs
Citizenry
Woman City Attorney, Stand
ing Like Feminine Ajax,
Wins First Battle in
Town Clash.
Decision Is Reserved
By EDWARD BLACK.
Staff COrrespOndent.

Ashland, Neb., July 23.-The court
room of Police Magistrate Jesse N.
Moon was enlivened this afternoon
by spirited proceedings which re-
vealed various points of contact with
Ashland's social and political life.
Much water has gone over the dam
since this community has been so
thoroughly stirred and public senti-
ment so divided.
One of the outstanding features of
the hearing was the victory attained
by Mrs. Irene Buell., city attorney,
in gaining recognition of the court,
as being the duly appointed prose-
cutting officer of the city. She stood
like feminine Ajax, defying Harlan
Bryant, county attorney, the city
council and others to question her
rights to serve as city attorney. She
has thrown down the gauntlet to her
opponents and is ready for anything
they may do against her law-enforce-
ment activities. incidentally, she is
the storm-center of local situation
which had its genesis on Sunday
night, July 3, when Ashland was all
agog over the Carpenter Dempsey
affair on the previous day, and all
agloW over the prospects of a glori-
Gus Fourth of July on the morrow.
Violates Ordinance No. III.
The case at bar this afternoon was
based on a complaint prepared by
City Attorney Buell. and sworn to by
William Richardson, night police
man, alleging that on the night of
July 3 Perry Anderson, brother OF
Mayor H. P. Anderson, violated the
provisions OF Ordinance No. Ill. He
was, charged with "unlawfully ex-
ploding combustiblc articles COM
monty known as fireworks" The
Judge ruled out the second count of
the complaint which alleged that
Anderson disturbed the peace, but
he declined to dismiss the fireworks
count as moved by counsel for the
defense, who was County Attorney
Bryant, acting on this occasion in q
private capacity. Mr.. Bryant has
been retained also by six other Ash
and young men who were arrested
with Anderson. The judge reserved
his final decision in the Anderson
case until next Tuesday. Hearings in
the other cases will follow the An
1erson case.
Too Much Levity.
Acrimonious passages marked the
proceedings, the laughter at times
being so loud in the crowded court
room that the judge threatened sew
cral times to clear the room and hne
the offenders for contempt.
II don't see that you are such a
nigh cockalorum, asserted Attorney !
Buell. to Attorney Bryant when the
opposing counsels became "het" up.
Lee Martin, restauranteur and
injected thrill into the
learing when he admitted, on cross
questioning by Bryant that he has
, bet of 81 up on the outcome of
he case.
did you have a bet up on this
,ase? asked Bryant.
YES" Martin replied, "a man
,ame into my place and said he
would bet 81 that none of the young
men who were arrested would be
ined. | took the bet"
"And you are now here to help
:onvice Anderson, are your"
mo, l Just want 10 show that
Anderson said he had more authority
han Harvey Coleman, who was act
ng mayor"
Martin averred that this 81 bet did
lot mean much in his life, as he had
ost many 81 bets.
They're Sports in Ashland. :.
1t developed that the sporting pro-
livities of Ashland have been stim-
lated by this affair, in that there
re many bets up on the outcome of
he cases which are pending.
1t was in front of the Martin eat
1g house that Anderson and his
ssociates are alleged to have held
remature Fourth of July celebra-
on. Martin testified that Anderson
as shooting "sparklers," which an
Dyed Mrs, Anderson, i'll at the time.
lartin testified he was interested in
1e enforcement of the laws of Ash
md.
Tom Parks, special policeman, be-
lg duly sworn, testified that he wit
cssed the egregious law violation of
.nderson, who held sparklers in his
md on Silver street.
Acting Mayor in Church. :.
81 know that it was along about 9
clock in the evening because Har-
~ Coleman, acting mayor, was in
lurch when we sent for him. L
What did Anderson say to you"
'ked Attorney Bryant.
"He asked me where we were TAX
g him and I said to Jail, and he said
e did not want to 60 to JAIL" wit
ess replied, adding: when he
,ked what authority I had, I re-
,rred to Acting Mayor Coleman and
nderson replied that he had as
uch authority as Coleman. Parks
SO stated that Anderson admitted
S guilt at time of arrest and offered
pay a fine.
Witness Grows Perturbed.
Than eocuoJ i, 1ao pth,, 1aDa1 d;e