The morning call., 1891-08-25
NOS. 2 AND 6.
Two of Church's Wives Say Hard
Things About Him.
John Henry's Examination Upon the Charge
of Assault to Murder His Latest
Spouse.

A pretty little woman with rosy cheeks
trippei in Police Court yesterday after
noon. She was Mrs. Laura Church, sixth
wife of John II. Church, the Oaklander,
who has furnished the newspapers with
more material than any other resident of
the Athens Of the Pacific. Before her arri-
val. the examination of Church on the
charge of assault to murder. for firing three
shots at her on the night of the 18th inst,
at 5 Mason street, had been commenced.
Policeman james Farrell related the cir
cumstances of his official visit to the house
soon after the shooting. Miss Monroe, who
was in the house at the time, drew a large
revolver from under the bureau and said it
was Churcl's. While taking Church to the
City Prison, the officer asked him how many
shots he had fired and the prisoner held up
three fingers. Church also said: "If this
had happened the night before last would
have put all of them into her"
CroSS-eXaunined, and in answer to At
torney Walter Gallagher's questions, Far
rell said that soon after the shooting Mrs.
Laura Church told him that she did not
think her husband had tried to kill her.
WIFE NO. CALLED.
Then there was flutter of excitement
when Mrs. Laura Church, wife No. 6, was
called to the wtness-stand. She said that
now living at 1903 Turk street. In answer
to the questions Of Attorney Smith, special
counsel for the prosecution, she said
ION the night of August 18th | went to see
Mason street Mrs. Frank Church. di-
vOrced wife of the defendant, told me that
Church was there. | went into roUm and
sat down near him. He asked me if l in
tended to live with him again. and | told
him no, unless | took some one to the house
N mi q nf
rious things, and then told him that had
made up my mind to leave him. He called
HE bad names and | returned the compli-
ment Then he pulled revolver and fired
three shots, as ran from the room. Half
way down the stairs | jumped over the BAN
lister. When l went back to the room
asked Church why he had Shot at me, and
he said: Don't let them take me, mamma
When questioned afterward, l said l did
not think Church intended to kill me. he
cause he was too much of a coward TO kill
anybody"
CHURCH WAS INTOXICATED.
On cross-eXaminaton, the witness stated
that Church was intoxicated when he fired
the shots. AS soon as he drew the pistol
size ran as speedily as possible and one
bullet whiStled over her head. Il went to
Mrs. Frank Church." she continued, ''for
protection, because Church had threatened
to Kill me, and as he was after me was told
to lay low for time. Since the night of
Tue shooting nave changed my MIND ABOUT
Churchs intentions. aud now believe that
he did intend to shoot me-"
ibid you take any paintings or other
property from Church's residence at Fruit
vale TO Mason Street?"
II did not"
When asked whether she was anxious to
prosecute her husband she hesltated, looked
embarrassed, and was then excused from
answering the question.
Mrs. Lii, Miss Monroe and Mrs. Frank
Church, wife No of the defendant, We're
in the room at the time of the shooting, and
corr0OOrated the complainants story.
CHURCH Is A NORMAL DRUNK.
"What was Church's condition?" was
asked of Mrs. Frank Church.
Just normal"
"Whatd you mean by that?"
Drunk"
us that his normal condition."
have known him for five years and
never saw him perfectly sober. He was
just normally, noisy drunk"
Did you have any reason to think that
Church was going to shoot his wife?"
No, l saw no weapon. If | had known
that he had a pistol | would have taken
il from him. | would not trust him with
anything he could hurt woman with"
The further hearing of the case was then
continued until Friday, owing to the
crowded condition of the calendar Of the
court