Stotts

Since David Stott, founder of Stott Milling Co.. died in 1916 his seven children have fought privately (with fists) and publicly (with suits) over the management of the ten-million-dollar estate he left them. Detroit's Judge Homer Ferguson, before whom many of these suits have been tried, once said: "David Stott was able to pass on to his heirs his physical assets but not his business ability or his ability to get along with others."

One of the heirs of whom he spoke was middle-aged Bertha A. Stott. whose tempestuous outbursts did not subside as she outgrew tempestuous youth. When Bertha Stott, her brother David and two sisters sued another sister and two other brothers for receivership of Stott Realty Co., Judge Ferguson again had to deal with untractable witnesses. During the case David Stott was fined $100 for refusing to answer questions. Then Judge Ferguson granted the defendants' crossbill asking dissolution of the company. Up jumped Bertha Stott. She cried:

"In the absence of my personal counsel, your statement is utterly false. May I be heard further? I have lived my whole life in this city. I was born here. I have lived an honorable and upright life. My life has been devoted principally to two defendants in this case, and you have used your official capacity to slander and vilify me. It is my opinion that you are a greater criminal than anyone that ever stood before your bar!"

Shocked silence fell in the courtroom. Then Judge Ferguson pronounced: "Your remarks are disorderly, contemptuous and insolent. I sentence you to pay a fine of $250 and to spend ten days in the county jail."

Bertha Stott left Detroit, went to Canada, remained there three weeks until a writ was issued for her brother Ernest in Ontario. Last week she returned and went to jail. A few hours later she was in hysterics. She had to be taken to a hospital, where police and nurses guarded her watchfully. Judge Ferguson said he might have her examined by a psychiatrist.

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