New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1858-01-28
TERRIBLE AFFRAY IN sONOMA COUNTY.


BY the Petauma boat We are this morning in re-
cept of dispatch from j. NJ. Ellis, esq, Of Santa
RUa giving account OF terrible ARRAY that took
place at Ilealdsburg Christmas night.
IL appears that lady residing at that place lwhose
name our correspondent does not gve WAS present at
ball given in the town on Friday night last III conf
psny with young man-she having some time pre-
viOusly separated from her busbaed. The latter en-
tered the ballroom and he would have the first
daIee with her, 10 which the young man in whose
company she was paid no attention, but led her ont
for the first dance, when her husband peremptorily
forbade her from dancing with him. 1hs led 10 the
drawing of knives and encounter. The husband
stabbed eight times, after which he ran down
stairs and ieldead.
Gen. Hartman, formerly Postmaster at Cloverdae,
ana Mr.. Richard HARRISON of the members OF the
Assembly elect from SODOma County, managers OF tue
ball attempted 10 separate the parties, and we're both
badly cut, and our correspondent wrtes that al-
though considered out of danger, will be crippled for
life.
The young man who perpetrated the deed made his
escape, and has not been heard Of.
The name Of the person killed was james Hallen.
SERVICES BY SLAVES BROUGHT INTO FREE STATE.
An interesting case under the title Of George Syer
and wife agt. VIM. N. Gwin, was decided by Judge
Norton of the Twelfth District Court of San Francisco,
on Saturday. Suit brought by the PLAINTIFF
coored persons and formerly slaves Of the defendant
in the State of Miszssippor compensation for servi
ces performed by them, after being brought to this
State. Judge Norton said, substantially:
The complaint in this case does not alege any con-
tract Of hire, show that either party expected that
payment should be made for the services performed
Ii cannot be assumed in this case, under the peculiar
relations exiting between the parties, that there was
a contract for hire. Personal services may be rem
dered voluntarily, without any presumption of con-
tract just gIit of personal property may be made
This is particularly the case wherever pecuGr rela-
items exist. Children may reside with their parents
after their majority and render services but there will
be no presumption law from the fact that the
services performed that there contract to
pay for Them On the other hand, when such Pc
cuar relations exist, jury would be authorized per-
hsps in presumng contract. In tins case, as in the
case of children rendering service after their majority,
which it somewhat resembles do not think jury
would be justified in presuming an obligation. The
plaintiffs according to the agreed statement, con-
tnued 10 live with the defendant year after
their arrival i'll this State but during that period they
made claim to wages or compensation. He fed
clothed and protected them They did not occupy the
position of strangers. Their former condition ~ his
slaves and the TACT that they would become slaves
again on being taken back to Mississippi, was in
tended and that they made NO claim or demand at
the time show that there no contract There are
many cases the Southern States where freed slaves
have been employed, and the employers been held to
pay for tier services, but in such the services
were not voluntarily performed. Judgment must be
entered for the defendant.