Jasper County Democrat, Volume 10, Number 49, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 March 1908 — "LIAR"; THEN A BLOW [ARTICLE]

"LIAR"; THEN A BLOW

Physical Culture Militant Exemplified in the Court TryL in g Brunaugh. ONE LAWYER "SOAKS" ANOTHER Court Adjourned to Quench the Hotness—“ Dead" Man bur prises His Friends—ltems. Indianapolis. March 4.—Michael A. Ryan, one of the attorneys for Harry P. Brunaugh in the trial of the latter in the criminal court, struck Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Frank P. Baker in the face as the two stood In front of the bench of Judge Pritchard. Bystanders interfered and prevented the affair from going any further, though It was with difficulty Baker was restrained from striking back at Ryan. Immediately following the sensational incident Judge Pritchard adjourned court for acouple of hours to let things cool off. * Ryan Puts in an Objection. The scene was caused by the presentation of a report by the kgrand jury, which, like “the flowers that bloom In the spring tra la, had nothing to do with the [Brunaugh) case,” but which Ryan thought did refer to that case. As Baker started to read the report, the grand jury being present and lined up before the judgs, Ryan elbowed his way through the grand jurors and stood in front of them. "I object to this kind of thing until I know what is in that report,” he said. “I do not propose to have this grand jury come In here now with anything that may have a bearing on this case, and I am making my objection.” Ryan Says He “Knows Things.” Baker stood with the report in bls band. He turned to Ryan and said: "This is nothing that affects this case in any manner. It is merely a report on matters that Ore not connected with it." Rut Ryan wouldn’t have It that way, and told Baker to “stay out of this; I am talking to the court.” He then asserted that the report might have a bearing on the Brunaugh case, but Baker protested that "I wouldn’t do such a thing as that There is nothing wrong in this report” “Oh, no, you wouldn’t do anything,” Ryan said, hotly. “Why, I know of some things you did yesterday afternoon that ” Then the Lie and the Blow. “That Is not true; that is a lie," Baker retorted, as he turned to Ryan. At that Ryan struck Baker squarely on the right, cheek with his open hand. It was a side swipe, and although it did not stagger Baker it produced a red spot on his cheek. Then there was a hurrying to and fro, and the sheriff Interposed, while Baker struggled to get at Ryan. But the peace was no further disturbed. NOT SO DEAD AS SUPPOSED News of a Man’s Demise Proves To Be What Mark Twain Calls “Exaggerated.” Muncie, Ind., March 4.—A1l day D. H. H. Shew maker, one of the city's prominent men, was kept busy .answering the doorbell at his home to greet friends who had come to mourn over his death. Sometimes the friends tiptoed around to the back door and walked in without knocking, sorrow being written on their countenances. Always they were surprised at seeing Shewmaker alive. A distant relative of the Shewmalcera died and a telegrarfi was sent here notifying friends of the fact. The messenger boy who delivered the telegram became confused and called on Shearmaker’s daughter,Mrs. H. Marsh Jackson, to inform her that her father was dead. Knowing that her father had been ill, although his condition was not serious, Mrs. Jackson accepted the message as the truth, as did other relatives, and they also made personal visits to the Shewmaker home.