JUDGE MOSS THREW AN
INKSTAND AT A LAWYER.
Tilt in Independence Court Room
Over a Depreciatory Remark.
Apologies Accepted.
The dodging qualifications of George P. Norton, an attorney, and his ability to come up smiling with an apology when Judge C. E. Moss threw a stand of ink at his head in the county court room at Independence yesterday, won him a railway franchise from the court. Judge Moss appeared pleased when Norton explained, and, as the county seat was known to favor the granting of the franchise, he gave it his sanction.
"There is little sense in what you say," was the remark of the attorney which riled the judge. He acted in a jiffy and bystanders were bespattered when the jar of ink struck a court rom bench right where Norton had been standing.
Judge Moss was questioning Attorney Norton relative to a clause in the franchise for for the Kansas City and Eastern Electric railway, pending in the court. He had asked him who was backing the enterprise. He wished to know if it was financially able to carry through the terms of the franchise and this nettled the attorney cosiderably. Then Judge Moss stated that he objected to a clause which was not binding the company to operate the road within three years.
Norton came up serenely with an apology to the court for his remark. Then Judge Moss, not to be outdone in courtesy, accepted the apology given and framed one for Mr. Norton and it was accepted. Judge Dodd smiled and really seemed tickled. The business of the court was taken up again and the franchise was granted to cross country roads between the limits of Kansas City and Lee's Summit. The right of way, already secured, touches the country farm and a rich farming territory.
