Ex Parte Gordan

McFarland, J. The petition herein is by Solomon Gordan, praying that Robert Gordan may be restored to his liberty.

The facts are as follows: Robert Gordan was plaintiff in an action for divorce against, his wife, Elka Gordan. Judgment was rendered in said case in favor of plaintiff therein, on December 8, 1887, granting the divorce, but providing that the infant child of the parties, Leah Gordan, until further order, “be placed in the charge and custody of the grandmother, Sarah Patek, to bé by her sustained at the expense of the plaintiff, Robert Gordan.”

In January, 1890, the said Sarah Patek filed a petition in which she stated that Gordan had been paying her twenty-five dollars per month for the support of said child down to November, 1889; that for November and December, 1889, he had not paid anything; and that twenty-five dollars per month was not sufficient. She prayed that the court order him to pay fifty dollars for the two back months, and for the future, forty dollars [479]per month. Gordan answered, and set up various reasons why such order should not be made. After a hearing, the court, on January 25, 1890, ordered him to pay said fifty dollars, and also thereafter to pay said Sarah thirty dollars per month. There seems to have been no further trouble until sometime in 1891; but on June 27, 1891, the said Sarah Patek filed another petition, in which she stated that in February, 1891, said Gordan has ceased paying said thirty dollars per month. Whereupon the court made an order, on June 27,1891, “ that said Eobert Gordan be and appear in person ” before the court on July 3, 1891, to show cause “ why he should not be punished for contempt in failing and refusing to obey ” the order requiring him to pay said thirty dollars per month, and “ why he should not pay the costs reasonably incurred in this matter.” This order was served on Gordan on June 29, 1891, in San Francisco, where he resided, the court making the order being the superior court in and for the county of Solano. On said July 3, 1891, said Gordan appeared in court by his attorney, Herbert Choynski, who, on behalf of Gordan, offered to file the sworn answer of the latter, and certain affidavits in response to the order to show cause. But the court refused to receive the affidavits, or to hear the proceeding on its merits, because Gordan was not personally present, and because his counsel admitted that when last seen he “ appeared to be in good health,” and “ physically able to attend court.” Whereupon the court ordered the sheriff to call the said Gordan at the court-house door, and. no response having been made to the call, the court entered an order reciting the said facts, and adjudging that said Gordan was guilty of contempt in not appearing personally in court, and ordering a writ of attachment to issue to the sheriff, commanding him to arrest said Gordan and hold him in custody until the opening of the court, and then bring him before the court. Pursuant to said order, such writ was issued, and Gordan was arrested; and by virtue of said writ the sheriff claims to hold the said Eobert Gordan.