The Trial That Wasn't: Tacoma’s Libel Case Collapses Into Farce

TACOMA, Jan. 15. — The trial of the first case of libel against R. Bidwell, a representative of the territory, whereon F. Morgan is complaining with witnesses, occurred in Justice Court this morning.

After the trial was begun in the case—of all the cases to hear—Judge Senter took the case under advisement until the evening and judgment is in on the second day, which is to be tried tomorrow. The trial of the other two has been delayed with various best determined by the term. The arguments on either side were engaged in a continual wrangle on points of law or the admission of evidence.

The principal witness was H.C. Parkhurst, managing editor of the *Pioneer*, who, strange to say, was summoned by the territory, or rather the persons who appear in the alleged interest of the territory. It was a matter of surprise to many spectators that Parkhurst did not resent the questioning swiftness which Morgan's attorney adopted in examining him.

While he was on the stand, Mr. Warburp, Morgan's attorney, came over to the witness and said, 'Say, Harry, this is wrong the article, we will have you arrested for contempt.' But Parkhurst bowed down by contempt; however, Mr. Parkhurst made no such admission. After certain evidence had been admitted time after again, Mr. Bidwell's counsel said, in a forceful but asking tone that it was his right to get it before the court. Justice Senter repelled, in dignified language, the implication that he was prejudiced in the law, but became slightly modified at some ingenious sophistry of defendant's counsel. He took the matter under consideration and will render his decision tomorrow.