Courtroom Fights Ends On Main Street
Written by Justin D. Lamb
Above: Marshall County Courthouse where the fight between Copeland and Judge Fisher began.
Judge Jack M. Fisher was none too pleased when E.C. Copeland was brought back into his courtroom on Friday, July 8, 1898 for charges of public drunkenness and destruction of property after going on a drunken rampage at Riley’s Saloon. “This is the second time I have seen you in the last two weeks, Copeland,” said Judge Fisher. “What do you have to say for yourself?”
Copeland looked square at Judge Fisher and “swore the judge off the bench and called him every name in the book” according to a Paducah Daily Sun reporter. “I’ll be damned if I won’t have order in my courtroom,” yelled Judge Fisher from his bench.” The threats didn’t phase Copeland any as he continued his profane tirade at Judge Fisher.
“I will have order if I have to come down there and clean this courtroom out myself!” said Judge Fisher. “Well, come on down here and do it then,’” Copeland said as he ignored the judge’s orders and continued to cuss him in his own courtroom. Angry at the lack of respect, Judge Fisher stepped off the bench, grabbed Copeland, and proceeded to throw him out of the courthouse. “Get your hands off me Fisher,” said Copeland as the two men became engaged in a brawl as they made their way out the front door of the courthouse. Fists began to fly and the fight made its way to the court yard on the west side of the courthouse before finally landing on Main Street after Copeland threw the Judge over the picket fence.
The fight eventually made its way to a saloon on Main Street Benton where proprietor George Riley became involved.
Soon Benton Town Marshal Dan Fisher noticed the two men and tried to break the fight up. When Copeland saw the Marshal coming toward him, he picked up a hatchet lying on a farmer’s wagon and threw it at the Town Marshal. He missed the Marshal, but the hatchet went flying through the window at Riley Saloon, just barely missing the establishment’s proprietor, George Riley. Angry at the second incident at his bar which resulted in more damaged property, Riley ran out the door and jumped into the fight. Riley kicked, punched, and pulled at Copeland and “swore to finish him.”
A crowd began to emerge to watch three of Benton’s well known citizens duke it out on Main Street. The incident was finally subdued when Town Marshal Dan Fisher pulled out his billy club and knocked Copeland over the head. Copeland was taken straight to jail and peace was soon returned to Benton.