The morning call., 1891-09-16
ACROSS THE BAY.
Mrs. Pratt on the Stand i'm the
Divorce Case.
Willie Ryan Disposed OF - Gilson's Condition
Improving-A Pickpocket Fined Grant
ing Of Another Franchise,

The lobby Of Judge Eilsworth's court
room was filled before the hour yesterday,
on account of the trial of the Pratt divorce
case. At the opening Of the court Mr..
Foote desired to argue the question as TO
whether the defense should be allowed,
prior 10 its introduction. to show threats,
menace or duress with reference to the al
legged confession. The Court decided to
hear him and the time was taken up to the
noon hour, but Judge Ellsworth concluded
that he would admit the ploof. Mrs. Pratt
was put upon the witness-stand. Pratt
moved up and took seat directly facing
her, but on the objection Of her counsel lie
was ordered by the Court TO change his seat
Mrs. Pratt then went on and told Of
her illness. and how. after the shooting,
Pratt ana Bessie Barnes wrote an alleged
confession that was to be used to serve him
in the criminal trial; that she did not know
what was written, and that when it was
finished she was compelled to sign 1t. She
denied the statements OF Bessie Barnes that
she read or punctuated it. In answer to d.
rect questions of her counsel she contra
dicted the statements that she had ever told
her husband anything that would criminate
her. The testimony was in direct conflict
with that Of Pratt aud Miss Barnes Before
the time uf the adjournment the witness
appeared i'll and unable to 60 on and an ad-
jOuTnment was taken until this morning.
During the argument of the platntlffs at
torney yesterday he referred to Mrs. Pratt
in uncomplimentary terms, and her attor-
ney objected to the language The Court
stated for the benefit OF her attorney that
he never allowed himself TO be swayed by
such remarks, and intimated that they only
took up the time of the court They tickle
the ears of the scandal-l0ving lobby, how
ever.
ANOTHER DAY IN COURT. s'
The Ryans and the Cahills and the Sinni-
gans had their day in court again yesterday
over the two-and- a. half year old WiliieRyan.
After an examination of many witnesses
and some not very choice testimony on both
sides, to which, however, the little fellows
aunt, Mrs. FinnigaB, was not party. Judge
Henshaw remanded the child to her and dis
charged the writ. In rendering his decision
the Court said that in view OF the pending
divorce suit he would not review the evil
dence. Patsy Cahill was in court and sat
by the side of his sisters attorney. William
Ryan, the father OF the child, was also
present and was served after the hearing
with the summons of his wife in the divorce
proceeding.
There were few people in Judge Greene's
department yesterday when John G. Howell
. was arraigned for the murder of Rene 5.
>Colvin. Mrs. Howell accompanied him.
The defendant was given one week to plead.
The condition of Ray Gibson, the young
man who was accidentally shot while hunt
ing near San Jose on Sunday, was consid-
cred favorable last evening.
SAVED FROM THE PENITENTIARY.
Frank p. Harrington, the young man ar
rested on November 30th on a charge of
picking the pocket of Mrs. Minnie Fried
man, at the Oakland Pier. of SIT and a dia-
moDd ring, while she was on her way to
her home az Lemoprp, pleaded guilty of
petty larceny yesterday morning, and, wav-
ing time for sentence, Judge Greene fiued
him $500, with the alternative of $50 DAYS.
He was renanded TO the custody of the
Sheriff. His fine will be paid to-day. 1t is
said, and he will be released. His rela-
lives have stood by him in this trouble and
hope that it will be his last.
The charge of disturbing the peace against
Immigration Commissioner Hatch was dis
missed yesterday In the Police Court. The
charge grew out of demand made one
Sunday evening on Rev. +. u. Liljegren for
an alticle OF furniture said TO belong to
Mrs. Liijrgrrn. Tho demand was made at
tile church alter the services.
An application was flied with the County