The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-05-17
ARNOLD'S NARRATIVE
GarneSs' Slayer Relates the Story
of the Tragedy.
Evidence Pointing to the Deceased as the
Author of the Colusa Circulars - 1t
Locked Like Blackmail.

Bailif Mccarthy, for some unknown reason
caused fire to be laid in the stove in Judge
Murphy's court room yesterday morning, and
the result was TO make all present about as IN
comfortable as possible
The Judge famed himself vigorously, and the
jury, lawyers and spectators were kept busy
wiping the perspiratIon from their faces The
room was crowded with spectators aud hun dreds
were turned away.
When the jury were seated Arnold resumed
his place on the winessstan and continued the
narrative of his relations with Samuel w. Gar
ness. In substance he said:
"a From San Francisco / went to Colusa on No
vember 4th, leaving Mrs. Arnold, whose health
was In very delicate condition, at the Ross
more Hotel. While IN Colusa, VIII ere remained
until the 10th. received TWO copies of crcu-
lar through the mail, one OF which was ad-
dressed to me and one TO my wife. l marked
both circulars and envelopes with my Initials"
They were shown 10 the defendant by MIR. Del
mas and Identified as the ones received. MI.
Delmas offered them In evidence, but the prose-
cuiion objected. The defense claimed that they
would be used to show that they had so operated
upon the defendants mind as TO unbalance it.
The Judge overruled the objection and
the contents OF the circular was read TO the
jury. II was OF most scandalOus nature and
contained charges against the chastity Of Mrs.
Arnold, In addition to accusing her of intemper-
ance
THE SEARCH BEGUN.
Arnold, continuing. said: :" read the Item
which appeared In the Examiner in regard to the
circulars, and at once began an investigation of
the facts inquired IN Colusa, aud was told
that no such circulars had been distributed there.
On the Sth OF November however, l was in
formed by Mr.. Green, the editor OF the COlusa
Sum- that he had received circular, which he
denounced as an outrage, and which he stated
he had burned as soon as received Mr.. Porter.
DIR. Bolton, Colonel Hager and others also came
to ME and told me that they had received copies
OF the same circular. l also ascertained that
quite number of others had received circulars
through the mail.
"After short stay In Colusa 1 returned to this
city, and showed the circu lar to my wife. 1t
came as a shock to her. and its effect was so de-
pressing that she went 10 bed sick. lii the mean
time continued our preparations for returning
to Cousa to live. and In short time we went
thither. We occupied our old home there, and
on December 3lSt Mrs Arnold received still an-
other circular. similar In tone TO the Others"
This circular was offered also In evidence, and
an objection 10 II was oveTuled. II was dated
December 10, 1888, aud signed Justice"
1t was read 10 the jury. A similar circular re-
celved al the same time by Mrs. Blaine was also
offered and admitted.
Arnold, in answer TO questions by his attor-
ney-, went on to say that Mrs. Porter had also
received copy Of the circular as had number
Of the other ladies of COlusa. he Immediately
took steps 10 ascertain, IL possible, The sourcs
of the circulars, and with that end In view he
sent eX-Sherr Field 10 Sacramento. He also
talked with Editor Green about tile matter, an
was told by The latter that he suspected GatneSs.
lie suggested that II would be a good idea to
call al the Examiner office and ask for the
source OF their Information. Accordingly he
came TO San Francisco and had an Interview
win Mr.. Selkirk, WHO volunteered 10 so to the
Examiner office. This lie did, but returned
without having obtained any definite lniorma-
ton.
GARNEss ACCUSES GREEN.
Witness also saw Garness, who claimed that lie
was preparing to sue Green for libel for connect
ing his name with the circulars. Gafness ac-
cused Green OF having been lhe nstigator OF the
Examiner article.
10 see Captain Lees about the matter, and Gar
ness replied: Keep away from him; he's a
blackmaiilng -, and has grown rich in
that business" Garness also told him not TO
allow the matter TO worry MIN, VIII Hart, the
city editor OF the Examiner, was a friend of his
and would help him OUT He claimed that Hart
owed Inn money, and would do what lie wished
him to.
Arnold then detailed the arrangements which
he had made 10 detect The person mailing the cir
culaTs, and stated that the PostOflice authorities
had done all In their power to assist him
Another circular, bearing date OF September
IA, 1889, was read, and 1t was If anything more
scaudalous lhau the preceding ones. 1t re-
iterated the charges against Mrs. Arnold and re-
ierred Ia the most revolving terms to that lady
II charged her with the most immoral conduct
ia terms too gross for publication. II claimed
that the object OF the author was not blackmafl
but justice. 1t was read to the jury aud affected
the defendant deeply. He bowed his head and
soJbed convulsively for several minutes.
The envelopes containing The circulars ad-
dressed TO various residents OF Colusa were also
introduced and Identified.
Arnold then stated tina; his feelings during all
this time were simply indescribable. lie could
neither sleep nor rest, and his mind was con-
tinually haunted by thoughts OF the secret enemy
who was running his life.
Mr.. DelmaS then offered In evidence written
testimonial, signed by citizens OF Colusa, and
testiiying 10 the good character OF the defend
hair 4 rata
want
SEPTEMBER CIRCULAR.
There was an increased attendance OF .pecta-
tors in the afternoon and when the clerk raped
for order the defendant was again on the staud.
Justice Mcfarland of the Supreme Court sat by
Judge Murphy.
Continuing lis testimony Arnold said:
I'm September l received another circular
worse even than the Others"
1t was submitted III evidence and ATTORNEY
Delmas stated that 1t was accompanied by the
following letter. which was written on an Exam
liner letier-head:
d. H. Arr0td, Esq.-DEAR SIR: The incIosed cir
cular send you by the advice OF Mr.. y w.
II was received by US through the malls some time
last month. Knowing that Mr. Garness is acquaint-
ed Ia Coiusa, mentioned The matter to him. He
said that its contents and advised US to
nave nothing TO do with II. Yours etc,
j. NJ. WARD, City Editor
"a short time after the receipt of this letter.
said Arnold, e saw Garness In Colusa, and
thanked him for having had Mr.. Ward send the
Circular 10 me- He asked ME down 10 his room
at the hotel, aud while there tod me that he
lnoueht Joe Steiner might nave been connected
WIN the mailing OF the circulars. He volunteered
10 look into the matter ana let me know the re-
suit when he met me again In San Francisco.
Further than that lie told me lie had CHANGED TO
go into the Examiner office and had there seen
the circular lying on Wards table. This was
how he had come TO stop its publication. i
thanked him again for his Kindness and left him.
NEWSPAPER ARTICLE.
"Soon after / received through the malls a
marked copy of the Evening Post OF November
TO- 1889. containing an article In reference to
Inc circulars. ABOUT Two weeks after met Gar
ness IN San francisco aud he told me that lie had
sent me the paper. saying that he wanted To let
me know what was going on"
ON The following mouth did you have any con.
versatiOn with Mr.. Porter p"
81 did. asked Mr.. Porter II he had learned
anything new, and he said nothing of import
ance. After further conversation he said: Look
here, Arnold, am Inclined to think Garness
knows something about those Circulars"
did you secure a specimen of Garness' hand
writing In order 10 compare 1t with the cir
culars2"