Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1876-09-06
Swearing I'm the Police Cours.

1t frequently happens at the Police Court
that when witnesses ere called they are
found to be either ignorant, or they affect
oath. AS no one can tell how soon he or she
may be called on as q witness, few hints
may be of service Be 1t known, then, that
on the left side OF the clerks desk In this
court are two copies OF the Bible, well worn
Outwardly; each having q rubber band
around IL When witnesses enter they are
expected TO range themselves by the side of
the desk, and when sworn to take the book
-four witnesses-n there are SO many-tO
each volume) with the fingers on TOP aad
thumbs beneath, and listen to the oath in a
respectful manner. The oath Is usually In
the following form: "You sOlemnly swear
that the evidence you shall give I'm the case
now on hearing shall be the truth, the whole
ruth, and nothing but the truth, so help YOU
Cod" The witRess on the right should then
reverentislly kiss the book, and pass IL TO
his neighbor, ard when all have kissed the
book IL should be laid down quietly.
Sometimes parties are called, and when
they are told TO take hold OF the book they
Will do so, but soon as the words "You sol
EMMY swear, are uttered, down they drop
the book as II 1t were red hot, causing the
hold on TO it,"
Sometimes the formula in administering
The oath is about as follows: "You solemnly
swear-tske hold of the book with your right
hand-that the evidencs-hold on to the
book-you shall-keep your hands on it
give shall be-your hands on the book, II You
please-the truth, the whole truth-can't you
keep your hapds on the book thers-ini
nothing but the truth, so help you God kiss
The DOOR; Kiss 1t, / say; don't you under
sts nd it." III some witnesses were not quite
so pert, however, this business could be
transacted with solemnity and decorum
There should be no levity about it. and IL
would not be amiss for the witnesses TO In.
form themselves as to the usages before
they come into court, II so unfortunate as to
appear there.
TIE LEHMAN SUICIDE.-The death o. E.
r. Lehman, of Baltimore, at Providence
Hospital on Sunday, was mentioned Ia yes
terdays STAR. 1t will be remembered he
was found sick at the railroad depot by the
police last week. A reporter of the BaIti-
more Gazette interviewed Mrs. Lehman yes
terCay, ard learned that she had been mar
ried about four months; that her husband
was confirmed fnebria.e, and she had q
great deal OF trouble with him. Four weeks
ago ne Tried to Kill Der with knife, aud she
Climbed on the window sill In order to alarm
Mrs. Bailey, who occupied the second flo0r
OF the house, when the frame broke and she
Tell TO the pavement below. Lest Tuesday,
he had ten boxes OF matches, with which he
SAID he intended killing himself He spbsa-
quently boiled the matches and drank the
oecoeuon. She attempted to stop him, but
This not appe airing to have the desired effect,
be BOUGHT quantity OF laudanum, aud took
that. He then asked her to accompany him
be1 ss f s to
down his head and said "The poison is pull
ing me down." She allied an officer OF the
Metropolitan police force, and he was con-
veyed TO the "calabOOse," and afterward to
the residence Of bis cousin, q Mrs. Rush or
Rusk, No. 81 It'll street. They would not
allow him to remain there, so she had him
removed 20 the Providence hospital, paying
SO per week for his board, where he after
wares died. His remains were inferred in
the Potter's field, and subsequently removed
to Olive cemetery. When asked why he at
tempted to commit suicide, just before his
death, he said IL was because he hal pawned
some OF the garments which he was making
for drink.