Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1886-07-10
THE HARLAN CASE.
j. II. Harlan, the Defendant, on the
Stand.


WOODLAND, July 9th.-Tn the Harlan
case this morning defendant Harlan was
called and testified was born in Ken
lucky, May 8, 1921 moved with my pa
rents to Missouri in 1888 worked there on
the farm for father and myself; crossed the
plains to California in 1858 lived at Grand
Island, Colusa county, year, then moved
to near Chico, Butte county, and was IN the
stock business there one year then moved
to near Vaeaville, Solano county, and
farmed there till 1860; then moved to my
Buckeye ranch, in Yolo county and lived
there six years then to my timber ranch,
near Woodland, and lived there nine years.
then moved to my present residence, hye
miles from Woodland. | was married No
yember 3, 1854 and have seven children,
three of whom are married. My business
has been mainly farming. | have served
as Supervisor and Senator. Craft and Sill
both had been in the habit of visiting my
house before the marriage OF my daughter.
| first heard of the scandal Graft was circu-
lating about my daughter on Wednesday
evening. My son William called at my
house on his way to his home and told me
that there was a report in circulation IN
Woodland that my daughter had given
birth to child, and that II was talked
around the streets. He asked me what
was best to be done. l did not then come
to q conclusion as to what | would do.
On Thursday evening Sill detailed to me
the statements of Craft. These state
ments have heretofore been fully pub
lished in the testimony of Sill. Sill said
Graft was going to see me and he was
going to get even with me for a report he
claimed | had circulated about him IN Sac
ramento, that he had there been living
with woman. | never circulated such a
report, and have never made any state
ments derogatory of Craft or any member
of his family. | never knew anything OF
the social habits of Craft. | did not make
up my mind what to do on the day Sill
told me this Friday morning | came TO
Woodland and remained there until
o'clock. | wanted to see Craft and have
conversation with him, and see if he would
not retract the statements he had made and
to hear what he had to say fer himself. |
did not meet him that day. On Saturday
| afternoon | again came IN town with the
double object of attending a meeting of a
winery and see Graft. if he was here; | did
not see him." Witness then described his
| trip into Woodland, on Sunday, but his
testimony did not vary from that heretofore
published. ION Saturday met my brother
Ben and he asked me if had heard stories
about nv daughter l told him | had, and
I
into town on Sunday with my wife, | met
Ben and Barnes, and Ben said that he I'M
| derstood my man was in town. | under
stood he referred to Craft, but he did not
mention his name My wife spoke TO me
about the ISLANDERS on Thursday evening.
NV daughter had told her about them"
Witness then described his movements
after arriving at Woodland on Sunday, and
detailed his Interview with Sheriff Beamer,
as heretofore fully published.
| When Court reconvened after the noon
recess witness resumed: AFTER my talk
| with Beamer l came ont into the main
office and met ex-senator German, Captain
Dalton and F. NJ. Brown. had short
conversation with German and then came
UP town District Attorney Sprague walked
up as far as the Lindner building with me,
when Mr.. Barnes called my attention. |
had conversation there with Barnes. He
asked me if had heard the remarks Craft
had been making about my daughter. !
said Yes and remarked that | under
stood that Craft wanted TO see me. Barnes
said Graft had just gone up stairs to the
Lindner building, and l went over to the
bank corner, and thought, if Craft saw me,
he would come over there. II was about
1I:30 o'clock when | took my position at
the bank corner. | remained there about
two hours. | was armed, having a pistol
in my possession. Have owned it since
1882 | was not in the habit of carrying it.
Had carried it only twice before. The pis-
tol was freshly loaded on February Sd, as
I expected TO go TO Fresno county and was
going TO take it along. had the pistol in
my possession that day for tine purpose OF
defending myself if l found it necessary.
This YVES because of threats which had been
made against myself and family. l did not
II 49,
ed up toward the Byrns Hotel ] did not
observe the young men who have testified
that they were across the street. ]
went to the Byrns Hotel because Frank
Barnes told me Craft was there. | walked
Immediately to the hotel. Barnes accom-
panied me. I went there for the purpose
of having a conversation with Craft, and
seeing if he would not retract the ISLANDERS
he had made against my family. l had my
hands in my overcoat pocket. and my hand
was on my pistol, or where could soon
put il on. told Barnes to let me do the
talking. | went in first, Barnes standing
back. l stepped in four or five feet, look
ing ahead. ! turned my head, and just as
| did my eyes met Crafts. He went for his
! pistol and sprang to his feet. | fired as
/ quick as I could He jumped down and
ran as l fired again ! followed, and he
turned quick and fired at me, nay pistol
going off at the same time, and Mr.. Craft
fell over Then | walked up and shot him
il the head I don't know what position
he was in know he was lying down.
The shooting was dong as quick as could
fire a self-cocking pistol. Graft fired but
once did not make motion to draw
| until Craft did. OF course I didn't know
Graft was dead when the last shot was
| fired | went to the Court house and gave
myself up. There were five chambers to
the revolver, and they were all empty,
though | was conscious of firing but four
shots"
There were no other points in the testi-
mony of the defendant that have not been
already gone over by other witnesses.
| ,, -, e.II.r