Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1888-03-24
A Dogs TESTIMONY.
1t Decides a Lawsuit Where Honest
Witnesses Disagree.

VANhCeocb DiSdSTces
The intelligence of animals, and moe
particularly of mans best four-footed
friend, the dog, has been the subject of
almost numberless stories and legends, both
ancient and modern; but it is an occur
renee as rare as it is wonderful that dog
has been brought into Court, before Judge
and jury, to give evidence in his own case.
Such case, that of Burton VS.. Goehringer.
occurred in the Hennepin County District
Court yesterday. Some two years ago H.
Burton, of the Plymouth clothing house.
lost valuable Gordon setter dog. He was
as intelligent as he was handsome, and
Mrs. Burton had taught him many enter
tanning little tricks. A couple of months
ago MIR. Burton ran across Sport on the
street and took him home. At this juno
ture Chris Goehringer, Bridge Square
saloon-keeper, appeared on the scene, and
| claimed the dog as his own, alleging that
he had bought him two years previously.
A lawsuit was the result Mr.. Burton
produced witnesses to prove that he had
owned the dog since its puppyhood. Goeh-
ringer brought in the person of whom he
had purchased Sport, a man of unblemished
reputation, who on his part, produced wit
nesses equally as trustworthy as Mr.. Bur
toms to prove that he had owned the dog
as puppy, and there appeared to be a
mistaken identity somewhere. Judge and
jury alike were in terrible quandarv. At
this juncture Mr.. Burton asked the Court
if he might be allowed to introduce
the evidence of the dog. No OBJ
jections were made to this novel notion.
Mr. Burton, mindful of the accomplish
ments his wife had taught Sport in his
youth, turned to the dog and said in care
less tone of voice:
"Come, Sport, go and shut the door,"
Without moments hesitation the in
telligent creature trotted over to the door
ofthe Courtroom, which happend to be aiar
showed it shut and then trotted back to his
master, and looked expectantly up into his
face. The latter then took a bone out of
his pocket, and, laying it on the floor at
his feet, said:
swell, Sport, that was well done; and
now would you like your dinner?"
The dogs head nodded an emphatic
affirmation, but he seemed to be in no
hurry to take the bone.
"Do you" said Mr.. Burton, but YOU
must remember that it is necessary for a
good orthodox dog to say grace before eat
ing"
Upon the word the dog dropped down
ON his stomach, extended his head along
the floor, and reverently covered his eyes
with his paws. In moment Mr.. Burton
called out "Amen," and Sport sprang to
his feet like flash and seized the bone
without any more ceremony, crushing it
between his jaws.
Mr.. Burton then had the dog to do his
famous "gallant" act. In this, Sport sat
upon his launches with his hat upon his
head. When asked how he saluted gen.
tleman when meeting him, he deity
touched the edge of the hat with his right
paw; but when asked how he saluted
lady under the same circumstances, he
brought up his right paw and knocked the
hat off his head. All concerned were per-
fectly satisfied, and the jury in few mo-
ments brought in verdict for Mr.. Burton,
and Sport followed his triumphant master
out Of the rt-room.-Minnedpol cor.
Inter Ocean,