Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-07-17
Animated Scene in the Police Court
Some Pretty Tall Swearing
Leitch's Discontinue.

began the plaintiff defendants attorney. wit
ness, dramatically and with elaboration.
On the 10th instant, as was going out of
the back gate of my residence, on Second
street, suddenly became aware of the fact
that was being assaulted from the rear by
heavy artillery fire. turned and beheld
Hannah Mendis with an apron.full of
brick bats, stones, tin cans and mud, which
she was with great force and rapidity hurl.
ing upon me. Behave yourself, or I'll
have you arrested said 1 but the heavy
artillery desisted not. l called to my FAM
lily to come and witness the assault. and
they responded with alacrity. This Young
woman-this virago-applied an opprobri-
GUS epithet to me and my family, and de-
clared that she could whip the whole gang
of u.s."
This occurred in this city and county ?"
inquired City Attorney Church.
No; In the rear of my house, on Sec
ond street, between P and Q, next door to
Mendis'"
The witness glanced triumphantly about
the crowded Courtroom, as if counting ap-
probation from the loungers, but he was
brought up with a sudden jerk by the Open
ing OF the cross-examination by Grove L.
johnson, attorney for Miss Mendis.
You're not on good terms with the
Mendis family, are your" asked the attor-
ney.
"Oh-well-I can't say that am not
at least thought well OF them before this
occurrence"
This was said with such a great show of
magnanimity that it fairly paralyzed the
Mendis family.
Now, Mr.. Leitch, as a matter of fact,
you're not friendly with them ?'
9 Wall II 4
You have had considerable trouble
with them, haven't your"
"Oh, no; let me see. though-yes, be-
lieVe we did have trouble once, when | had
Miss Mends arrested for disturbing the
peace"
You spoke of her as virago-"
Yes; Webster says virago is turbu-
lent, masculine woman-that's what she
is"
"Did this heavy artillery and light dra-
goons ever assault you before ?"
"Sure?"
"Well, think So"
Why did you say lots of times, when
you only think sop
- didn't say lots of times"
thought you did,
You bet | didn't know what I'm
talking about
MIR. johnson apologized, sarcastically,
and the audience laughed.
You were afraid of the virago, were YOU
not ?" resumed Mr. johnson.
You bet | was | had to dance around
pretty lively to dodge those brickbats."
u Did you call upon your family to help
you out in The fight ?"
No, stree; l can take care OF myself. /
amt afraid of nobody"
=" / thought you said you were afraid p"
No, sir; you bet l amt afraid of no.
body"
You said you WERE"
didn't either"
Mr.. Johnson apologized again. in his own
lnlmltable way, and once more the spec
tators grinned. Leitch began to get fidgetv
under the attorneys fire, and couldn't see
any joke about it.
Now, Mr.. Leitch," said Mr.. Johnson,
the whole sum and substance of this bust
ness is that you don't like those people,
and you want to get them out of that
neighborhood-is it nct?"
"Oh, no; not at all. could live alorg-
side OF them always, if they would be-
have"
Then, you like them?"
Not much "
the witness about some other previous es-
capades in which leitch figured, but Mr..
Church objected.
:" want to show" said Mr.. Johnson,
that this man is trying TO run that neigh
borhood down there; that he considers
himself the Grand Vicegerent of God in
Sacramento; that he NEEDLES with eyery-
body else's affairs, and is constantly max
ing trouble"
Leitch writhed under this cannonade.
and essayed to interrupt the attorney with
rlySa - -.
that's right = you bet" etc, struggling
vainly all the while to smile and appear
calm.
After few more questions, Leitch was
excused from the stand, and he left it with
alacrity, heaving a deep and soul-stirring
sigh of relief
Mrs. Leitch testified that she saw por-
ton of the assault Upon her husband, and
heard some of Miss Mendis' choice lam
guage.
Leitch's two sons were called, and both
swore that they saw nothing of the affair
This closed the case for the prosecution,
and Hannah, who is pert little brunette
OF some Is years of age, was called upon to
give her version of the artillery assault
She said she threw tin can over into
Leitch's yard and it accidentally struck the
proprietor of said yard. Leitch then
called her vile name, and she threw mud
at him. Hannah's sister Katie and her
father corroborated this, and that was all
the testimony.
1t was suggested that the counter-charge
against Leitch be submitted on the same
testimony, but Leitch protested vehement
ly. After the matter was explained 10
him, however, and he was permitted TO
make another Shakesperian speech, he
consented to the proposition.
City Attorney Church found himself in
an awkward position in arguing the case
for the people. AS prosecutor he was COM
PEELED to ask for the conviction of both
parties, owing to the condition of affairs
brought about by the counter-charges.
Grove l.. Johnson, in arguing for the
conviction of Leitch and the dismissal OF
Miss Mends, gave Leitch terrible raking
over the coals-but in that suave and polite
but tantalizing manner characteristic of
him. He dwelt st length upon the state.
ment of Leitch 10 the effect that his sons
had witnessed the assault. and the latter's
contradiction of that statement. He CON-
plimented the boys on being more truthful
than their father.
Leitch sqnirmed and WINGED at this. and
finally, unable TO longer control his temper,
blurted out: why don't you cry little ~
Mr.. johnson didn't move muscle, but
quitely called the attention of the Court to
Ieitch's inability to control his vindietiye-
ness, and then pitched into Leitch without
gloves. He referred to him as a criminal,
who ought not to be permitted to run al
large IN the community; Is mean coward, a
flasher, and vindictive man.
Leitch with difficulty kept his seat, but
his countenance was picture of rage.
Judge Buckley, when the case was sub.
mitted, stated that according TO the law he
could not see that case had been made
out against Leitch, no matter what the cir.
cumstances might be. II was evident
though, that Miss Mendis had commenced
the trouble. Consequently Leitch was dis.
charged and the young lady held for sent
ence.
San Luis obispo JudgeshIp.
The death of Superior Judge Gregory, Of