Brawl in the U.S. Land Office

There was an exciting and highly disgraceful scene in the United States land office yesterday afternoon. For the past week, a trial involving the title to a homestead near Avondale, Pierce County, has been dragging along between Erastus Shields and Registrar Ostrander. Emmett T. Hunt has a title from the government to the land, but a determined effort is being made to oust him on the grounds that he has failed to act in good faith with the government. The United States was represented by District Attorney Carson and Mr. Hunt by Attorney E. M. Snell of Tacoma.

During the weary progress of the trial, there have been several sharp passages between the attorneys, which culminated yesterday afternoon in an actual row. Mrs. Mary F. White of Pierce County was on the stand and was being cross-examined by Mr. Carson. Mr. Snell objected to a question as irrelevant and immaterial. Just before, some rather damaging evidence had been introduced tending to show that Mr. Carson had told one party who had filed on the land, and whose entry had been refused at the land office, that if he would get Hunt off the land, he soon would secure it for him. Mr. Carson had become somewhat excited and made some remarks when Mr. Snell objected to the question. Registrar Ostrander sustained the objections, and Mr. Carson became quite angry and made some rather stinging remarks. An eyewitness states that Mr. Snell retorted that he believed the lady was telling the truth and the facts in the case.

'You're a contemptible liar,' responded Mr. Carson.

'Considering the testimony I have heard and knowing the position you occupy, I think, in return, that you are the most contemptible of all liars,' answered Mr. Snell, white with anger. Mr. Carson jumped from his chair and made a break for Mr. Snell, the latter retreating across the room and placing his hand on a chair at the same time, advising Mr. Carson to go slow and not make a disgraceful scene. The latter continued talking excitedly and wound up with the assertion that Mr. Snell was a 'low-lived S.O.B.'

Mr. Snell was speechless at the outburst and took a firmer grip on the chair. Mr. Ostrander took hold of the chair to prevent Mr. Snell doing violence with it, although the latter says he had no intention of doing anything of the sort. By this time, the surprised spectators intervened and put an end to the scene. Mr. Ostrander gave Mr. Carson a pretty severe scoring for his conduct, and the trial was adjourned for the day.