Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-06-01
Fire Rescue Squad Revives
Defendant as Court Holds
Evidence insufficient.
CIVIL ACTION AGAINST
CALHOUNS RUMORED
All Accused of Attempt to Black
mail Memorial Promoters Are
Given Freedom.

Holding the evidence insufficient, JUS
tice Jesse C. Adkins Of District Supreme
Court today directed the acquittal OF
four persons charged with conspiring to
extort blackmail from Capt. and Mrs
Clarence c. Calhoun.
The defendants were w. Clark Noble
nationally known. sculptor: James r
Bird, a lawyer; Mrs. Anna Hillenbrand
a nurse, and Stephen A. Armstrong, jr.
a financial agent.
Dazed by the suddenness Of the deci-
sion, MIR. Noble tainted just as Justice
Adkins left the bench. The 72-year-old
defendant was standing beside his wife
when he collapsed to the floor. The
fire rescue squad was summoned and
revived the patient by administering
oxygen.
Bailiffs Hunt Doctor.
Fellow defendants members of the
jurys. court attaches and spectators
rushed to the aid of Mr.. Noble when
he collapsed. Bailiffs were dispatched
through the building to search for a
doctor. They we're unsuccessful, how
ever
Meanwhile. Mrs. Noble took command
of the situation, holding her husband
head in her hands and beckoning away
the crowd which had gathered about
him. She was aided by Mrs. Hillen-
brand and Mrs. L. r. Maddux of de-
tense counsel.
Soon after the defendants were freed,
there were rumors of civil suits. The
Mobiles already have instituted action
against the Calhouns in an effort to
collect quarter of million dollars in
damages for their alleged failure to
pay Noble for his services as official
sculptor of the Womans' Universal AL
lance, of which Mrs Calhoun was
president. The organization was form
ed TO erect a sl2.000.000 memorial to
motherhood in Washington.
Judge Addresses Jury.
The trial opened almost month ago.
Mrs. Noble, originally one OF the DC
PENDANTS, wen a directed verdict of not
guilty some 10 days ago when the Gov
eminent closed its case. The motion
was renewed in behalf Of the other de-
PENDANTS after the defense case was
closed Friday. Justice Adkins had had
the motion under Amusement over the
week emu.
Immediately after court convened
Justice Adkins turned to the jury and
announced he had decided the de-
PENDANTS should be found not guilty.
The testimony given by the defend
ants" he said, Changed the aspects oil
the case SO far as Mr.. Noble is con-
cerned, the testimony indicated his in
nocence as much as his guilt. The tes-
timony also showed that Mr.. Bird and
Mrs Hillenbrand we're at direct odds
with each other. So the jury will bring
in verdict Of not guilty as to each OF
the defendants"
Juror Gets Autographs.
"As to the defendant, w. Clark
Noble" said Williams F. Lemon, the
clerk, You are directed to return YER
dict of not guilty. and 1t is so ordered.
AS the defendants stood at Their
counsel table, Mr.. Lemon then went
through the routine of freeing Mrs
Hillenbrand, Bird and Armstrong.
When the excitement over MIR. Mobiles
collapse had subsidized, the eight men
and four women, who had comprised
the jury. gathered about the defendants
and voiced congratulations. The
youngest member of the Jury. Miss
Continued on Page 2, Column 81