Los Angeles herald. [volume] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1890-1893, 1891-10-02
ROUGH ON WOMEN.
Miser Harris Said to be Want
ing in Respect.
His Habit Of Making Disgusting
Remarks About Them.
A Man Who Disliked to Change
His UnderclOthes.
The Administrators Suit Against DR..
shorb-Buessord'sssOm Somewhat Racy
TestimOny-A Peculiar
ii Man.

Some rare evidence was given in de-
partment four yesterday in the case of
Public Administrator Field VS.. DIR. A.
S. Shorb and his wife. The suit is for
the recovery of about $27 900 alleged to
have been obtained from Daniel j.
Harris, deceased, by undue influence.
The most sensational evidence was
given by +. G. Buessord who was en-
ployed by DR.. Shorb to nurse Harris,
which position he left July 18th, 1890.
He gave some racy testimony concern
ing the relations of Harris with the
Shorbs.
When he first went to the place DIR.
Adams YVES the attending physician.
Upon being questioned as to Harris's
habits witness said: HE was the
dirtiest man was ever called upon to
attend. His body was filthy in the ex-
treme and his clothing dipgustingly
dirty. The bed was covered with YER
min, and the sheets not fit to be seen.
The witness thought Harris was weak.
minded, in fact, crazy. He would not
allow himself enough to eat and talked
constantly of women in filthy way.
He frequently played ON the piano and
jumued about the house in wild man
ner. He had fits of cursing, when he
would insist that the doctors were keep
ing him down in order to get his money.
Buessord was asked to repeat what
Harris said concerning women. In re-
ply he said: 81 have too much respect
for myself and the ladies in the court
room to give his remarks. They were
not fit to be repeated in the presence of
ladies. and will not give them"
Counsel for both sides agreed that the
ladies could retire while the witness re-
peated what Harris was in the habit OF
saving concerning women. This invita-
ton was accepted and about dozen left
the room. The witness then repeated
many OF the remarks made by Harris,
none of which were fit for publication.
The old man, the witness said, never
spoke respectfully of any woman, ex-
cepting sister. He classed them all
as thoroughly bad and unchaste. He
never saw a woman pass that he did not
make a disgusting remark about her.
His habits wese as filthy as was his con-
versation.
Leaving this branch of the case, the
witness was asked questions concerning
the visits OF DR.. and Mrs. Shorb to Har-
ris during his last illness. Upon one
occasion Mrs. Shorb advised the sick
man to have her husband called to at
tend him. Hewas good physician,
would give him proper advice, etc.. etc.
Harris at that time did not seem to
have good opinion OF DR.. Shorb. lie
reviled him, accused him OF being a
uuack. and when he first came to Los
Angeles practicing without a license.
Then he went to Cincinnati, procured
sheepskin, and returned in six weeks.
The witness next related circumstance
in witnessing deed along with Mrs.
Shorb. It was for the sale of piece of
property up north. When the question
of employing an attorney came up upon
one occasion, Mr. Holcomb's name was
mentioned. Mrs. Shorb spoke up and
advised Harris not to employ him, add
ing: "You know, Mr.. Harris, don't
like that man." The next day another
lawyer was brought in.
The witness continuing. said that for
long time previous to being stricken
with paralysis in July, Harris kept lot
OF valuable papers under his pillow.
One day the witness went down town
and when he returned the papers were
not there, but had been placed else
where. When Harris became 80 very
sick that the nurse thought he might
not live, he telegraphed for B. F. Har-
ris, nephew of the deceased. The nurse
thought the old man wanted him. Pre-
'vious to this Mrs. Shorb had insisted
that the sick man had no relatives.
Afterward DIR. Shorb told the witness
that Harris intended to shoot him for
sending for the nephew.
The witness told how Harris used to
swear and curse at him. Everything
he did was followed up with a shower Of
oaths and curses. The nurse said he
told DIR. Shorb about this and the latter
replied: "Oh, you must not mind
the old man; he does moi
know what he is saying" The
witness was asked about intoxicants be-
ing given to Harris. Whisky in small
quantities was administered, also cham
pagne-about one bottle of the latter {
day, along with plenty of ice. The pa
tient was fond of whisky and the bottle
had to be kept from him. While DIR
Adams was in attendance intoxicantt
and ice were prohibited. The opposite
course was the recommendation of DIR
Shorb.
Upon cross-examination witness sale
that Harris made such fuss abou
changing his undergarments that {
change was made with difficulty. TIL,
witness was there five weeks before h
could get the sick man to remove hi
sdisgustingly dirty garments. Some time
afterward the bed underwent change
much to the disgust OF the occupant
who bewailed the heavy expense.
A number OF other witnesses were ex
amined as to Harris's manner and hab
j Al LA-