Los Angeles daily herald., 1889-08-17
NOT HIS DAUGHTER.
That is What Garret Said
on the Witness Stand.
WONG GONG's PLAN TO FIX HIM,
Testimony introduced ON Behalf OF
the Defendant Yesterday-His
Letter to Malta.

The Garrett case was resumeu yeSter-
day morning, with the cross examination
of Josie Corbett. She was not proof
against the ordeal OF cross-questioning to
which Mr.. Payton subjected her, and
contradicted herself at intervals. Mrs.
J. Arnold was questioned as to conver-
sation which she had with Malta Edg-
comb about her troubles. Witness did
not know Garrett at the time. Edgcomb
had told her OF his intention to rent
rooms from her when he and Malta were
married. Garrett had never in any man
ner attempted to influence her to testify
one way or the other.
II. R. Brown testified to having had
one conversation with Malta on finding
her trying to get into her fathers house
during Garrett's absence with the key.
He helped her to get in, and at her invi-
tation also entered the building and re-
mained until Garrett came home, some
ten minutes later. He talked with both
of them before leaving.
T. A. Botiller eaid that he knew Mrs
Edgcomb, and had only spoken to her
on two occasions. He was there on
business, and wanted to see Garrett.
Malta told him she was going to marry
Edgcomb, but subsequently said that
she had changed her mind.
l.. A. Sheldon and j. ]. Walsh testi-
fed to the good character of Garrett.
Wong Gong said he had lived in
Chinatown about three years. Knew
both Captain Garrett and Malta. Gave
her gold watch, which he bought at a
First street auction store for about $40.
Gave Malta money twice. One time
gave her $16 with which to pay her fare
to the Hot Springs, as her father
wouldn't give it to her. Never made
her present of dresses. Went to the
Garretts' residence frequently, some
times when Malta was there and some
times when Garrett was there. Didn't
know how Garrett treated her.
When crose.examined he readily ad-
mitted that he went there to ''fix" Gar
rett, who was believed to be the next
Chief of Police. Had been acquainted
with him for nearly two years, having
first met him in regard to deal in seme
property leased from Ballerino. When
questioned as to his visits and intimacy
with Josie Corbett the witness got very
AukIy duu W ohoWCi' w hOh III
structed to do 30 by the Court he stated
that he didn't want his name in the
newspapers in connection with this case
as he was ashamed of the whole bust
ness. He then became very sulky as the
Court and attorney for the prosecution
insisted upon pressing him for an an
swer. After the Court threatened to
punish him for contempt, he very in
graciously and abruptly replied to the
questions, and at times made use of bad
language in undertones. He said he
did not 60 to see Joeie at all, but after.
wards admitted that he and Garrett
went there together one evening last
week. A iiew minutes later he said he
vent there and met Garrett there, but
never went with him, and at no time did
he ever speak about the case.
Harry Ettling, the First-street auc-
tioneer, testified to having known Wong
Quong in San Francisco, and subse-
quenily in this city. Remembered cell
ing him q watch and chain but didn't
know exactly when it was. Must have
been about two months ago. 1t was
small lady's watch.
A recess of twenty minutes duration
followed to allow witness to return to the
store for his salesbook aud Mrs. Edg-
comb was also requested to produce a
piece of her watch which had been left
in her room. Ettling was unable to find
any definite entry of such a sale, but
showed one Of the sale Of lady's case
gold watch without chain on June 10Th
last. The Price was $40. Couldn't
swear to its referring to the watch in
question.
The defendant, F. M. Garrett, testified
in effect as follows:
"I reside in Los Angeles, where l have
lived for nearly two years. came here
from San Francisco, prior to which
lived in st. Louis and New Orleans. Am
not certain about my age, as my mother
and grandmother differed one year as tC
when 1 was born. According to my
mothers account l am 40. but he
mother thought was year younger.
was born in Missouri, right oppoeit,
Liberty's island, in the Mississippi river
which belonged to my father. Sine
my manhood 1 have been in tn
employ of the Illinois Central Railroa'
Company. Then I went into tn
theatrical business with Collins an
Henchman, of the Bowery Theater, a
st. Louis. After that l enlisted in tn
Government service, not as soldier
but as ranger, to fight the Cheyenn
Indians, in 1859. then returned to tn
South, New Orleans. was a steam
boat clerk. In 1859 l steamboated u
and down to Mobile. My mex
step was into the Secret Service Burear
as agent. My headquarters were a
Bonny Kerry Camp, Louisiana. l wa
in charge of the outskirt pickets OF tn
secret service department. was befor
that an ennis a-y of the Confederacy, an
served as Captain OF Transportation
under Major Bittern. l was subse
quently appointed by Major Genera
Howard as Assistant Commissioner il
the Freedman's Bureau. In 1866
bought boat and retired into privat
life again but lost it in the followln
fall. Then / was appointed assesHo
of one of the parishes, and until 1881
held over twenty or thirty office
of all kinds, too numerous to particular
ize. On the 25th day of May, 1862,
married my first wife, and we lived t.
gether for thirteen years afterwards. W
never had any children of our own, bl
my wife was particularly fond of then
and we took several of them. One
these children whom We raised is no
married and has family. My wife toe
Captain Stubblefeld's child from a
orphan asylum at one time, but we wei
compelled to give it up afterwards, an
this occssioned me good deal OF troubl
Tn 1871 or J7D I waa annOintad boar