San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1888-09-04
LAW IN THE RECORDERS COURT.
Can Father Protect His Child
From a Cruel Assault?

l
| From a Cruel Assault?
The general impression of the
people is that a man has a right to
defend his own life and to protect his
family. This is certainly the practice,
| if not the theory, of the law, but a
decision by Recorder Adam is quite
| the contrary to both. AS reported in
| the LIGHT on Saturday a colored boy
apparently 20 years of age, named
| MCGEE, employed at the Southern
hotel, and respectable mechanic
ramed Bowman were arrested for
fighting. The facts of the case as
developed in the recorders court
yesterday were as follows: Willie
Bowman aged about 10 years, son of
the last named defendant was sent TO
the Southern hotel by his father to
collect a bill. His father does all the
plumbing work in the house and
therefore both are well known
there and familiar with the place.
While waiting the boy went to an
other apartment to get a drink of ice
water, and as he was so doing he was
ordered out by McGee, who had not
authority fl his action, and because
he did not obey the order instantly he
was badly beaten and thrown out by
MCGEE. Willie went home, told his
father who Immediately went to the
hotel, intending to enquire into the
matter and have the negro arrested.
While he and the boy were standing
at the counter of the hotel, waiting
for attention, MCGEE came to the door,
and Willie said to his father, "That's
the fellow that knocked me about"
On this Mr.. Bowman went to MCGEE,
the boy following at his side, and said,
what did you beat this boy for in
this manner?n MCGEE answered,
1.-THE ----T lr'-at the same
time raising his hand to strike the
boy. On this Mr.. Bowman grabbed
MeGee by the throat, but only with
one hand, and tight enough to re-
strain him from violence; in fact, the
grip was so light that McGee readily
released himself and bit Bowman
badly on the breast. MIR. Bowman
then. sent for a policeman, gave Nc
Gee into custody and went to the po-
lice office to make an affidavit against
him. The latter made no charge
against Bowman, but to his surprise
he was also placed under arrest.
When the case was heard MCGEE
pleaded guilty. Bowraan pleaded
not guilty, and the evidence
above stated was addueed, showing
that he had only acted with necessary
violence to- protect his child, but to
the surprise of all, after
hearing the testimony, the recor-
der says: "0h, well, I'll make it
even and fine you both 81" On this
Mr.. Bowman said, "Wfthout wishing
to. be disrespectful to the court, may
ask a question ?" Certainly" said
the recorder. "Then," continued Mr..
Bowman, ''ter my future guidance
would you Kindly infoEn me if it is
the law in this country that man is
amenabIe. to law for protecting his
own child from dastardly assault, and
that, too, without using undue seyeri-
ty," the recorder here interrupted the
speaker to remark, "Gou should have
had the man arrested. ~ OH which Mr..
Bowman remarked, ''that's just what
did as sooH as / had prevented AN
attack cal nv child and if your inter-
probation Of the law is the law Of this,
or any other country in which l may
be located | shall never respect 1t
whflea drop of blood runs through my
veins"
Mr.. Bowman, who is a good citizen
of San Antonio, paid his fine under
protest but will appeal the case and
his friends are satisfied that i'll an
other court this unjust decision will
be reversed.