Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1888-07-02
GUILTY OF BIGANY.
Conv. 'ction OF James King, Who Marri,
Matte Leimer.

Cony. 'ctiOn OF James King, Who Married
Matte Leimer.
The tr3Sl of James King, for bigamy, was
concluded IN Department One of the Su-
perior Court on Saturday. the jury bringing
in verdict of guilty. Readers of the Rec.
oRD-UYIoN are familiar with the details OF
his marriage some months ago to sixteen
year-old girl named Matte Leimer, his
subsequent arrest and examination before
Justic eDeVine. AT the fine of the marri-
age King made an affidavit that the girl
was of age, and married her against the
wishes OF her mother, who knew that he
had wife whom he had married in Ore
gon, and at once commenced proceedings
against him. He fled to Lake Tahoe, but
was captured there by Constable Ben
Chambers.
The evidence was very strong against
King, and especially that of a young man
who gave the name of George c.. Hastings.
He testified that he knew King in Oregon
City nine or ten years ago. They were
very intimate, working and rooming to-
gether. The witness remembered dis
tinctly when his friend married girl in
Oregon named Maggie Curley The wit
ness acknowledged that when in Oregon
ne went under the name of Frank c. Ber-
nard. he had his name changed in Judge
Firms Court in San Francisco.
Why did you have your name changed ?"
asked Judge Henry.
Well, will tell you, said the witness.
A short time after King was married, he
and l went to Portland. We got bloke, did
not get work, and King stated that he had
guardian in East Portland who had
plenty of his (King'sl money and property.
We went over 10 see if we could make
raise. King went into the house and then
came out, and we were walking away when
we passed a stable in which were some
horses, which King said We're his horses,
and that we would take two of the
animals and ride to Oregon City. He said
he bad done so before, and | took one of
the horses and he another. l had no idea
OF doing anything wrong We rode to
Oregon City, put the horses in a livery
stable and remained in town over night.
Next morning We took the horses and were
on the way back TO East Portland, when
we were arrested and charged with horse
stealing. We were tried, convicted and
sentenced to one years Imprisonment in
State Prison. We served our time, after
which we again went to Portland
Here | determined 10 give King the slip.
which did, and in company with Young
man named Fairchild | went to town on
the coast where | went to work in o hotel
as waiter. | was working steadily, and
one evening to my great surprise the Town
Marshal laid his hand on my arm and said:
/ arrest you on a charge of murder
u found out that an old woman had
been murdered in Portland. and King.
who had been arrested, had charged Fair
child and myself with the crime. We were
taken back to Portland, and after eleven
months had past were brought to trial We
were friendless and moneyless. King swore
against US, and with such success that the
jury stood eleven for conviction of murder
in the first degree and one for acquittal.
The Judge who presided at the trial
and Governor Thayer then took an interest
in our case, believing us innocent, and they
had but little difficulty in obtaining suffi-
Gent evidence TO clear us at the next trial.
When King found things coming our way
and that he could not convict he sent for
his own attorney and asked to be allowed
to plead guilty of murder in the second
degree, which he did. then went 10 San
Francisco, and knowing it would be use
less to seek work bearing the name of a
man who had so narrowly escaped being
hanged on a charge of numbering
woman over so years old-that, gentle
men. is why | changed my name"
You don't feel very friendly toward
King, do your. queried Judge Henry.
Well" replied the witness, q" l can't
say | have much regard for him so far as
friendship goes, but l am willing to give
him squarer deal than he gave me"