Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1890-03-26
TAKE THAT BACK"
LAWYER EsTABRo0Ks RIGHTEOUSNESS
GETS HIM INTO TROUBLE.
Assistant District Attorney Bruner Gets
Mad and Demands an Apology
Wife-beater Harris.

"1'll teach you, sir, how to be a gentle.
man."
Assistant District Attorney Bruner looked
pale and determined when he addressed
this singing remark to attorney Frank
Estabrook yesterday afternoon in Justice of
the Peace Henrys Court. The trial of
Henry L. Harris, the WIFE heater, was in
progress. A witness had just testified that
he saw Mrs. Harris pick up her baby from
its carriage and run into the house with it.
Estabrook, who appeared as Harris attor-
ney, facetiously asked the witness to Illus
trate how it was done, and added that Mr..
Bruner might act the part of the baby.
This was more than the Assistant District
Attorney could stand, and wheeling around
SO as to face the young barrister rebuked
him as above.
Estabrook made matters worse by saving
that he was always willing to learn some
thing.
"All right sir" replied Mr.. Bruner, his
eyes flashing; you shall have it. Now,
sir, want you to take back that remark.
You must apologize"
There was no doubt that Mr.. Bruner
meant what he said, and the offending at
torney realized that such was the case.
II only said it in a joke" said Estabrook,
but if you want to take it seriously, all
right"
Il do take it seriously" was the angry
reply, ''and you We got to apologize"
Mr.. Estabrook did apologize. He ex.
planned that he was only joking and meant
no harm at ALL
Judge Henry called for order and ad-
dressing lawyer Estabrook, said he did not
propose to have circus in his Courtroom.
If attorneys could not conduct themselves
properly in his Court, he would find way
of compelling them to do so.
Peace was then restored and the case
continued without further interruption.
The testimony against Harris was strong
and undeniable. His wife told how, on
last Friday night, she started to a doctors
office with her sick baby, but was over
taken in the street by Harris, who brutally
struck her in the face with his fist. After
this they took room together in lodging
house, where he administered another beat
ing to her.
Three young men who happened to be
walking along X street when Harris as
saulted his wife, corroborated her testi-
mony.
Harris, however. testified that he did not
strike his wife, and only snatched bottle
of whisky from her. He then went on to
tell the jury that his wife was a common
drunkard; that she frequented low places
without his consent, and was source of
great anxiety to him. He said that on the
night in question, she had bottle of
whisky and wanted to drink it on the
street. He snatched it from her, but did
not strike her.
Before the case was submitted to the
jury Harris and his wife got together in the
Courtroom and made up" 1t was then
the old, old story. The wife was sorry that
she had had him arrested and he promised
to be good and loving husband in the
future.
1t was too late TO stop the proceedings.
however, and the case had to be submitted
to the jury. The latter promptly found a
verdict of guilty, but cognizance was
taken of the resumption of friendly rela-
tons between the husband and wife. and
the jury recommended that the Court be
merciful in passing sentence.
Mrs. Harris also pleaded with his Honor
to be merciful with the man who had not
been merclful with her. Attorney Esta-
brook also asked the Court to be, lenient
and Mr.. Bruner said that out of respect for
the jury's recommendation he would not
demand heavy sentence.
/ JuuSe DsuIs TtieTrcu 10 the case as De-
ing serious one and one which ought
properly be made an example of. Every
civil, religious, moral and social law in ex-
istence pronounced against the man who
would strike woman under any circum-
stances, and were il not for the iurys and
wife's plea for mercy he would give Harris
the extreme penalty of the law. After lee
turing Harris severely and warning him
not to get into the hands of the law again,
the Judge sentenced him to pay a fine of
$40, with the alternative of going to Jail for
forty days.
Harris promised everything and left the
room with his wife after his fine had been
paid