Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-10-08
DEFENDANTS STORY.
ANDRw JACKSON wooDsoN TEsTIFIEs
IN HIS OWN BEHALF.
He Makes an Emphatic Denial of the
Grave Charge Against Him, ON
His Direct Examination.

The case of the people VS.. Andy Wood
son, charged with criminal assault upon
Edith Kern, six-year- old child, some
months ago, near Brighton, was resumed
in Judge Van Fleets Court yesterday. The
defense examined a number of witnesses as
to the character of Mrs. Kern and the de-
fendant
The defense then called the defendant,
Andrew Jackson Woodson, to testify in his
own defense. Witness testified that he is
30 years of age, and for the past six years
has been farm laborer Was foreman of
Kern county ranch for some time, and
has worked in Sonoma, Colusa, Suffer and
Sacramento counties. In June last he was
employed by Mr.. Browning, at Brighton
Junction. The defendant then went on
and gave an account of his movements
on the day on which the assault
is said to have been committed
He said the Kern children
asked to be taken out to the field to see the
thrashing- machine, and their mother per-
mitted him to take Them to the field. Wit
ness said that was about o'clock in the
afternoon. He went with the children to
where the engine stood and conversed
there with several of the laborers for about
half hour. The children played about
there, and the boy fell and hurt himself
Witness wiped the blood off his chin and
consoled him, and shortly after took the
children to the house, as he was requested
by his employer to go to Brighton for some
bolts. None of the Best children were
present when the Kern children were at
the machine. He denied having made
any assault upon Edith Kern. That even
ing he was in Kern's place, after his return
from Brighton, and gave them some court
plaster which he had bought for the boys
wound. Everything was then pleasant
aud agreeable.
The next morning he returned to the sa.
loon and drank with Mr.. Kern. There
was drunken man present. common
laboring man. Mr.. and Mrs. Kern treated
him cordially, and nothing was said about
any assault upon the child. That after
noon witness returned to the saloon and
found the drunken man there, and he was
taken to the barn. Witness wrote letter
while there, which Mr.. Kern addressed for
him. Had considerable conversation with
Mr. and Mrs. Kern, and everything was
pleasant. That was on Monday, and wit
| ness went to work. On THURSDAY, when
he returned, Mrs. Kern charged him with
having tempered with the child, and the
latter being called in told the story, as
heretofore stated. The Kerns told him he
| had better settle the matter, and witness
replied that he had nothing to settle, that
he was innocent. Mrs. Kern said the child's
evidence in Court would go further than
his.
Witness went away to his work, and re-
turned again on Sunday, and was kindly
received and drank with Mrs. Kern After
ward the matter was again brought up, and
Mrs. Kern told him that if he would settle
| the doctors bill there would be nothing
more said about it. and witness finally con.
sented to the proposal. Witness was at the
| saloon again on the following day, in COM
pany with some of the thrashing crew, and
| had several drinks. The next day witness
was there again, and Mrs. Kern told him he
| was making a fool of himself by talking
| about the alleged assault, and witness re-
| piled that it was not he but herself who
had been doing the talking. Something
further was said, and witness said he would
go and see lawyer and have the thing
settled.
The defendant occupied the stand during
the remainder of the afternoon. On cross
examination he adhered closely to his d.
rect testimony.