Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-11-08
BRUSH CAMPERS.
A QUARTET OF THEM ARRESTED FOR
VAGRANCY.
Bat There Was No Evidence Against
Them-A Layman in the Role
of Counsel.


of Counsel.
Deputy Constables Frank Swift, Jr. and
Goods went out to Hollands place, near
the American river, on Wednesday, and
arrested four men whom they found camp
ing in the brush there. The latter gave
their names as John Dawson, George Daw-
son, Robert King and James Brown. The
arrests were made in consequence of COM
plants from people out that way that their
gardens were robbed of vegetables almost
nightly.
Yesterday two of the men, King and
Brown, were taken before Justice Henry
on charges of vagrancy. Deputy District
Attorney Bruner hesitated about signing
the complaints, as the arresting officers
had little evidence against the men, other
than that they were found camping in the
brush, but the complaints were finally
issued.
When the cases were brought up King
who is al old and feeble but very respect
able-lOoking man-pleaded guilty, saying
he was sick and destitute but preferred 60
ing to the hospital to the prison. Brown,
his companion, was a stupid-looking fell
low, but mad sense enough to fight for his
liberty, as he probably had had some ex-
perience around county jails.
c. G. Brown, the weli-knoHn politician
and philanthropist was present, and asked
permission to defend the prisoner. He
said he bad never known a man named
Brown to be an idle or dissolute person. and
he didn't believe this one was of that quail
itv, although be liked the looks of Mr..
King much better.
He was permitted to act as counsel for
his namesake, and the show opened by
Deputy Constable Swift being called to the
stand. He testified, in answer to Mr.
Burners first question, that ne had known
the prisoner about one day.
rs he California indiana"
"N-no, l think not. No, l know he
amt an Injun."
do you know hi1 to be an idle and dis
solute fellow"
"well, no; that is, I don't know much
about him"
what was he doing when you arrested
him?7
Warming his hands by fire."
"And what else?"
"Well, he had been cooking potatoes.
There were some lying about there"
How did you come to make the arrest ?"
well, complaints have been made by
farmers out that way that trsmps have
been stealing their potatoes, and wanted US
to arrest the men camping around there"
That's all" said the Deputy District
Attorney. Mr.. Brown, take the witness"
Brown-"You say the defendant had
potatoes there?"
Eyes, sir, said so"
"Now, how many potatoes were there ?"
81 don't know; didn't count them"
You're sure there were potatoes there?"
YES, I'm sure of it."
you say you don't know how many
potatoes there were?"
That's what l said.'
"What else did he have ?"
ooh, he had some bread and crackers ?"
That's all"
The prosecution then called Deputy Con-
stable Goods, and his testimony differed a
little from that of Mr.. Swift He claimed
to have seen the prisoner frequently in the
city, and never knew him to work. When
he saw him at the brush camp ne was
washing some of his clothes. He also saw
potatoes about the fire. He was then turned
over to Counselor Brown for cross-exam-
ination.
You say you've seen this gentleman
about the city,"
Yes, sir"
Where did you see him ?"
ooh, / couldn't say on what streets. I've
seen him at different places
But name one of them"
So can't, but l say I've seen him on the
streets"
"But want to know on what street you
saw him"
II tell you couldn't say what street,
but know I've seen him"
You say he was washing his shirt when
you saw him?"
ayes, he had just been washing some
thing"
well, did you arrest him because he
wanted to keep clean Pr
mo. sir; we arrested him for being a
tramp and vagrant."
Ibid you see any potatoes there ?"
Yes, sir saw potatoes about the fire"
"How many potatoes were they?"
II don't know"
"And yet you swear you saw potatoes
there?"
Eyes, sir. 1 do"
What makes you think this gentleman
is vsgrant?'
well, look at the stuff we found on
him. There's razor and strap. think
he ought TO be charged with carrying con-
cealed weapons"
That's all" said the volunteer attorney,
with lofty wave of his hand, and the wit
ness stepped down.
well, we rest" remarked the prosecut-
ing officer, with blush.
"Please, your honor, Well call Mr..
Brown, the defendant" said Mr.. Brown,
the counselor, and the prisoner took the
stand.
The lawyer shifted something from one
cheek 70 another and open up afresh:
"Mr. Brown, when did you come to Sac
ramento?"
Day befoor Yesterday"
where did you come FROM"
The prisoner studied a moment, and
then reply that he came from Oakland.
What were you doing out on the river
bank?n
Sure Oh jist shtopped there to wash me
clothes an TEX rist."
did you have any potatoes at your fire
when these officers arrested you? ?"
Not Cd id wanp'
whats thatr' cried the Judge, fercely.
whats that you said2'
"Oi sid Oh didn't hev any pertsties about
me, at all at all, ;" replied the witness with
a stupid, innocent look.
IQaE al yOu SdlQt IepeateO lHS OOuIl
Didn't you use some bad language?"
mo. Oi'n be d, OF name that all OF
sid waz Oh hadn't amy"
"You must remember" said the Court,
"that this matter must be conducted with
dignity and propriety. There must be nc
profanity
LAWYER Brown Ito the witness)-"I think
you did nse cuss words, but it amt right
and you mustn't do it any more. Mr.
Bruner, take the witness
The prosecuting attorney then put the
defendant through brief course of cross
examination and found that be had ar.
rived from Oakland on Tuesday; that on
the preceding night he had slept on the
road about fifty miles from Sacramento,
and the night before that in Oakland; that
it was five days since he left Oakland; that
he didn't know who he had worked for
there. and that the last place he had worked
before that was in San Bernardino.
The Court asked to he shown the pris-
oner's hands, and remarked that they
looked as if they had not known recent
hard work.
LET me see them hands" said the pris.
oner's counsel, and the owner showed
down with all the grace OF practical
DOker r,iaVer