Steve Allen offered to put Doan on the stand as his witness, but Leech objected; the plaintiffs had closed their case, he said. And so the Court ruled. Steve Allen claimed the right to put the witness on the stand, asserting that it was in rebuttal. But the Court was firm. The Judge declined “to hear ghost stories.” Steve insisted, and the Court ordered him to take his seat. He was “out of order.” The case was closed, and he wanted to hear no argument. In such a case the verdict of a jury was not obligatory on the Court, it was only to instruct the mind of the chancellor. He had heard all that the jury had heard, and his mind was clear. He would instruct them to bring in a verdict that no fraud had been shown, and the defendants would prepare a decree accordingly.
On this Steve suddenly flamed out. He would like to know, he said, when he had been in order in that court. It was an outrage on decency; the rulings of the Court were a cover for fraud.
He was certainly out of order now. The Judge was angry, but he was not afraid.
“Take your seat, sir,” he shouted. “I will commit you for contempt.” The anger of the Judge cooled Steve’s.
“If you do, it will certainly be for contempt,” he said, recovering his composure. He was looking the Judge squarely in the eyes.
“I will put you in jail, sir!”
“It has no terrors for me. It is more honorable than your court.”
“I will disbar you!” roared the Judge.
“You have substantially done it in this case,” said Steve.
The Judge was foaming. He turned to the clerk and commanded him to enter an order immediately striking Steve’s name from the roll of attorneys practising in that court, and ordered the Sheriff to take him into custody. The excitement was intense. Instinctively a number of men, Andy Stamper among them, moved up close to Steve and stood about him. The colored Sheriff, who had started, paused and looked at the Judge inquiringly. The Judge was just beginning to speak again to the Sheriff, but his attention was arrested.