A Proper Sort of Judge

Feilding Star, Volume VII, Issue 87, 2 January 1886, Page 2

A Proper Sort of Judge

A " scene " in a court of justioe is not an uncommon incident in many parts of the United States, and seldom attracts much notice from the general public. A more than usually sensational affair- of this description took place, however, recently at Santa Crus, California, where it created deep interest. Judge Rountree was making i out the commitment of a man named John Kennedy, when the prisoner attempted to " clear out of the courtroom." He was immediately seized by a constable and a terrible struggle ensued. Kennedy, who is a desperate character and possessed of prodigious strength,, was getting the better of the officer, when the Judge, who had apparently ignored the disturbance, and without any undue hurry had finished the writing of the commitment, suddenly descended from the bench, and divesting himself of his coat, said, in a stern voice, "Leave him to me." Judge Rountree is noted for his remarkable muscular development, and intense was the excitement of all present as he " stood up " to the prisoner in an attitude of dignity and determination. There was hard hitting on both sides; but in less than three minutes Kennedy was in a frightful condition, and utterly unable to "come up to time." The Judge then reascended the bench, and, with a few impressive observations, imposed an additional sentence of 30 days' imprisonment on Kennedy for contempt of court.