Los Angeles daily herald., 1889-08-21
THE GARRETT CASE.
The DefeB dant,s OEoss- Examina
tiOm Com memced.

The Defen dant,s Oxoss- Examina.
tiOm Com memced.
The Garrett incest case occupied but
half day in Justice Lockwood's court
yesterday, and was then adjourned until
this morning at O'Clock. The day was
particularly dull one, and the testi-
mony was dry and uninteresting, COM
pared with previous days in the case.
Garrett continued his direct testimony at
the opening of court, and explained his
drawing of an instrument for Malta, by
stating that he had done 80 for the pur-
pose Of asking her whether Edgcomb Lad
used one like it upon her. He accused
Mrs. Watson of having tried to black
mail him, and said that this was the be.
ginning of the GOODNESS between them.
The cross-examination began at about
10 80, Mr.. Payton acting as interlocutor.
Garrett was questioned about the $40
Edgcomb was alleged to have stolen from
him, and asked why, after three days
upon the stand, he had failed to say any
thing about it. Garrett said that he had
tried to tell about the incident, but he
had been put off. He then related how
Malta told him about she and Edgcomb
robbing him. He admitted that the only
conspiracy he had engaged in with Malta
was writing letter for her to copy,
which was to be forwarded to Canada,
and which was to injure Edgcomb's repu.
tation. He thought, in answer to Mr..
Payton, that Malta was capable of con-
cocting any scheme, and that before she
got through with Mr.. Payton she was
capable of sending and might send even
her counsel to State prison. Witress
could not tell how much money he had
lost by the robbery of his bed.
As regards Malta being his child, Gar
rett denied that drop of his blood
flowed in her veins, and said that if that
Il that was the case she would not have
acted as she did. He had never had
sexual intercourse with Malta, and if
any one went on the stand and said that
he had, it would be lie, and the wit
ness who made the statement per-
iurer. Garrett said, in answer to ques-
tions, that the first time be knew
that he was suspected of violating
Malta, Mrs. Watson told him of it.
After little further thought, however,
he remembered that woman had
threatened to blackmail him two years
ago, while he was living on Virginia
street, by telling everybody that he was
cohabiting with his daughter. She de-
manded some furniture which he had of
hers as hush-money. This occurrence
and the time that Malta told the Mayor
and his present trouble were the only
occasions that he could recollect, upon
which he was accused of incest.
While being questioned on this sub.
iect Garrett made the rash statement
that he believed that Paytou "knew that
it was all put up job on him."
Mr.. Payton DO you mean me?
Witness-Well, l don't mean that you
that is-well, withdraw the remark.
Mr.. Payton said he would suffer no
such imputations to be cast upon him.
and Mr.. Williams endeavoring to get a
word in, wrangle between counsel was
imminent, when Justice Lock wood inter-
posed a remark that he would protect all
parties from insult, and unless they came
to order he would fine both lawyers for
contempt.
Garrett's habit of compelling his daugh-
ter to sleep in the same room with him
on a number of occasions, was next
proved by Mr.. Payton. Garrett
drew a diagram of the house they occu-
pied on Virginia street. In this house he
and Malta and Ella occupied the same
room. The woman who had accused him
of improper relations with Malta slept in
an adjoining room. Diagrams OF the
Spring street and Hill street houses were
next drawn by the witness. Mrs. Hodges
had Joined them in the Hill street house
as companion. A diagram of the large
house in which the Smiths lived, at
Eighth and Myrtle streets, was also
drawn. In this house their family con-
sisted of Garrett, Malta, Ella, Nettie
Keyes and Josie Corbett. Nettie left for
Ventura early in March.
The Court here adiournad