of it, when Judge Turner, addressing me and apparently irritated, said in a petulant manner;—­“The court knows the law—­the mind of the court is made up—­take your seat, sir.”  I was amazed at hearing such language; but in a respectful and quiet manner stated that I excepted to the decision, and appealed, or would appeal from the order.  The Judge instantly replied, in a loud and boisterous manner, “Fine that gentleman two hundred dollars.”  I replied quietly, “Very well,” or “Well, sir.”  He immediately added, in an angry tone, “I fine him three hundred dollars, and commit him to the custody of the sheriff eight hours.”  I again replied, “Very well.”  He instantly exclaimed, in the same violent manner, “I fine him four hundred dollars and commit him twelve hours.”  I then said that it was my right by statute to appeal from any order of his honor, and that it was no contempt of court to give notice of an exception or an appeal, and asked the members of the bar present if it could be so regarded.  But the Judge, being very ignorant of the practice of the law, regarded an exception to his decision as an impeachment of his judgment, and, therefore, something like a personal affront.  And so, upon my statement, he flew into a perfect rage, and in a loud and boisterous tone cried out, “I fine him five hundred dollars and commit him twenty-four hours—­forty-eight hours—­turn him out of court—­subpoena a posse—­subpoena me.”  I then left the court-room.  The attorney in the case accompanied me, and we were followed by the deputy sheriff.  After going a few steps we met the coroner, to whom the deputy sheriff transferred me; and the coroner accompanied me to my office, and after remaining there a few moments left me to myself.  On the way an incident occurred, which probably inflamed Judge Turner against me more than anything else that could have happened.  The attorney, who was much exasperated at the conduct of the Judge, said to me as we met the coroner, “Never mind what the Judge does; he is an old fool.”  I replied, “Yes, he is an old jackass.”  This was said in an ordinary conversational tone; but a man by the name of Captain Powers, with whom Turner boarded, happened to overhear it, and running to the court-house, and opening the door, he hallooed out, “Judge Turner! oh, Judge Turner!  Judge Field says you are an old jackass.”  A shout followed, and the Judge seemed puzzled whether or not he should send an officer after me, or punish his excitable friend for repeating my language.

I remained in my office the remainder of the day, and many people who were present in court, or heard of what had occurred, called to see me.  I immediately wrote out a full statement of everything that happened in the court-room, and had it verified by a number of persons who were eye and ear witnesses of the affair.  Towards evening the deputy sheriff met the Judge, who asked him what he had done with me.  The deputy answered that I had gone to my office and was still