The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-11-18
TRYING THE PUGS.
The California Athletic Club Case
in Court.
Captain Shorts Testimony as to the Details
of the Match-Attorney Foote'S Open
ing Statement

A handsome contingent from the Califor.
mia Athletic Club was present in Judge
| Skaters court yesterday morning, when the
case of Sydney Huntington was called.
| President Fulda was in earnest consulta-
ton with Attorneys knight and Foote. who
had been retained by the club to defend the
case; Colonel Andrews and Hiram Cook
took seats behind the rail, near the bailiff
j. Ross Jackson watched the proceedings
from the rear entrance to the courtroom,
and others-bottle-ho spongers, time
keepers, etc.-were scattered here and there
about the room.
1t was only necessary before starting In
with the case to secure four more jurymen,
as eight had been secured on Thursday last.
The panel completed is as follows: E. A.
Wobber, Samuel Bibo, c. Chunk, Cooper B.
Austin, Sylvester Moore. F. T. Bruce,
Samuel j. Curtiss, John Bonner, Charles
Muhunberg. j. Deasy, John P. Bering and
2. Monahan.
CAPTAIN SHORT TESTIFIES.
Captain Short of the police force was the
first witness called. He testified in the
main that the contest differed from the ordi-
nary priZe-ring contests in many respects.
The ring and posts had been padded SO as to
prevent injury in case of fall against
either, and the greater portion Of the Gus
tomary formalities of the prize ring were
dispensed with. He said he had been re-
auested by President Fuda to make the
arrests so that the question of boxing in the
club might be tested and settled. The two
men hammered away at each other for
twenty-one rounds, and in the Captains
opinion were Furnishing each other quite
severely. But he knew perfectly well 1t
was not an even match: Huntington had the
best of it almost from the first, and Rochelle
was 'shaky" and ''grogsy" much OF the
seventeenth round blood streamed from his
mouth and nose, and the elements OF a box
ing exhibition, had disappeared completely.
He allowed them to 60 four more rounds
and then arrested all parties.
A HARD QUESTION.
On cross-examination the Captain was
asked Why it was that he attended this ex-
hbition, fully knowing that felony was
going to be committed, and yet waited till
twenty-one rounds had been fought before
making any arrests.
A little hesitation preceded the Captains
answer. He wasn't on his guard Tor that
sort of a question but he finally said that
he waited TIL he knew the law had been
violated and then made the arrests.
Now didn't you KNOW" asked Nh Foote,
" that if you had arrested them before they
exchanged blows you could only accuse
them of misdemeanor, while by letting it
20 on it might possibly amount 10 a felonyY
The Captain replied that he was not aware
of such condition at all.
Sergeant William Coles and Officer Tobin
testified to substantially the same as Cap
tain Short, and the prosecution closed with
the testimony of j. Ross jackson, who de-
tailed the contest from the standpoint Of
al expert.
THE OPENING STATEMENT,
Mr.. Foote made the opening statement for
the defense. He maintained that so far us
the defendant was concerned there certainly
was no offense against the law. The men
had engaged in boxing exhibition; the ele-
MEETS of contention were not present at all.
Both pal ties were hired by the club. There
was 10 prize in it, and tie degree of excel
lence had nothing TO do with their compep-
saton.
President Fulda, Hiram B. Cook and one or
two other witnesses testified as to the de-
tails of the match, and the first named eX-
planned the preraution he took 10 have the
floor padded ana the gloves made according
to most careful measurement, so as to give
them two ounces Of leather and three ounces
Of hair padding.
Captain Shorts testimony in relation tu
Rochette's 'groggy'' condition was denied
by Rochelle himself. who testified that he
was not in the least injured that it was not
intended as a fight to the finish, aud that
when they had been stopped he walked out
of the ring as easily rs he went into 1t.
The case will NE conc uded to-day.