JUDGE AND HIS WIFE.

Colonist, Volume LIV, Issue 13412, 9 May 1912, Page 2

JUDGE AND HIS WIFE.

AUUKIOUSSCBNB

Judge Beeman, who occupies a position at Sterling, Illinois, comparable to that of an English stipendiary magistrate, has achieved national fame by fining his wife £5 for contempt of court, and ordered the bailiff to lock her up if the fine was not paid within one hour. Tho judge was holding a court when Mrs. Beeman entered the court-room and seated horsolf near the bar to wait for tho judge, who had promised to go with her on a shopping expedition. William Lawton, a young man of prepossessing appearance, was being tried for disorderly conduct. After hurrying through tho evidence the judge .fined him £2 and costs, and as Lawton had no ready cash he was ordered to be locked up. "That's an outrage," declared Mrs. Beeman, involuntarily. "Silenco!" thundered the judge. Mrs. Beernan, however, refused to be silenced. Judge Beeman was exasperated. Furiously rapping for order, he told Mrs. Boenian to keep quiet, under threat of a fine.

With a woman's liking for the last word, she continued the argument with her husband uJitil the court-room was in an uproar. ''Old buffer," "Think you're clever," and "Wait till you get home," were among the exclamations she hurled at her spouse. In desperation the judge imposed a fine of £5 for contempt of court. Mrs. Beernan dared him to collect it. Angered at this the judge instructed Bailiff Newton to take Mrs. Beeman in charge and lock her up if the fine was not paid within an hour.

Mrs. Beeman was led from the court sobbing hysterically. She finally drew on her private bank account for the amount of the fine, and was released from tho custody of the bailiff. Later Judge Beeman stated he imposed the fine feeling that this was the only thing he could do if the dignity of tho court was to be maintained. Mrs. Booman was penitent, and promised not to interfere in her husband's legal affairs again. ■■-~.