During the strike the late George M. Pullman was summoned to appear
before the Federal Court to give testimony. He at once had his private
car attached to an eastbound train and left the city, treating the court
with sovereign contempt. On his return, accompanied by Robert Todd
Lincoln, his attorney, he had a tete-a-tete with the court, “in
chambers,” and that ended the matter. He was not required to testify,
nor to appear in open court. The striker upon whom there fell even the
suspicion of a shadow of contempt was sentenced and jailed with
alacrity. Not one was spared, not one invited to a “heart-to-heart” with
his honor, “in chambers.”