The morning call., 1891-10-13
ACROSS THE BAY.
Attorney Lloyd Escapes Com
mitment for Contempt.
County Grand Jury Impanelsd An ABB
sconder Heard From-Incendiary Fire
at Alameda.

The usual crowd of hungry, expectant
scandal-mongers was in Judge Ellsworth's
courtroom yesterday in the afternoon when
the Pratt case was called besides several
women, whom Bailiff Morrison seated in the
| south jury-box Mrs. Pratt sent word that
sne was not physically able to be present.
and Mr.. Lloyd was called. The crowd was
eXpectant when Mr.. Foote asked: "Mr.
Lloyd, did you have any conversation with
Mrs. Pratt affecting her relations with l.. l..
Bromwell?" Mr.. Reddy objected to the
testimony on the ground that any state
ment made by her to him when he visited
| her was as to an attorney. Mr.. Lloyd him
self said that he considered himself as all
attorney of Mr. Pratt, and that the matter,
as he supposed, was family matter, though
| he had not at the time been paid a retaining
| fee.
The Court did net think that the statements
to Mr.. Lloyd were any different under the
circumstances they were made than if made
TO Mr.. Pratt himself. He did not think it a
privileged communication, and oyerruled
the objection of Mr. Reddy. The question
was read to Mr.. Lloyd. and he said: In
der my obligation as an attorney, and under
my oath as an attorney to use my best judg-
ment as such, am bound by oath not to dis
close it unless Mrs. Pratt gives consent
The lobby, or good portion of it, was
evidently in sympathy with Mr. Lloyd, as
loud burst of applause greeted the answer,
which was firmly given. Mr.. Reddy stated
Mrs. Pratt did not consent. The court or
de1ed such demonstration to cease or the
room should be cleared
Mr.. Lloyd then said: 81 have high re-
gard for the Judge of this Court, and have
no desire to be in contempt"
The Court shall have TO require you to
answer that question under penalty OF con-
tempt.
At this juncture Mr.. Foote stated he had
no desire TO see Mr.. Lloyd punished for con-
tempt withdrew the question and excused
MI. Lloyd from testifyiDg. The case was
then continued until this morning.
MIR. Lloyd was seen after he lett the
Courthouse, and stated that he would not
have answered The question if he would
have been committed for not doing 50, and
he expected for time that he would Ue.
He said he visited Mrs. Pratt at her re-
quest, as he understood it. She asked his
advice as an attorney what to do In the
matter, and he advised her tnat, as she had
involved her husband in trouble, it was her
duty TO do the best she could to help him
out of it. The statements then made to
him were for the purpose OF assisting IN the
defense of the criminal prosecution pend
ing against Pratt.
COUNTY GRAND JURY.
The Grand jury was impaneied by Judge
Greene yesterday in his department, and
John l.. Bromley was appointed foreman.
After reading the law to the jury the Court
inform ed it that it may investigate cases of
public nOtorlety, but that it would be no
business of the jury to divide itself into
squads aud perambulate about the county,
OF TO visit the schools, smile at the teachers
and chuck the children under the chin. 1t
Is none of its business that Oakland should
Lave larger City Hall, or to visit the State
University or the State Institution for the
Deaf and Dumb and Blind. Whether or not
the lessons arc properly or improperly
gwen at the State University is no concern
Of the Grand Jury
Joseph Levy, the absconding Secretary of
the San Francisco and Oakland Butchers
Association, and Fred Hewlett, ex-police
officer of oakland, had pictures taken at Ell
PasO Tex, ana sent to friends in Oakland.
1t is understood that they are now in Mex
leo.
The suit of c. NJ. Ingram an alleged mag
netlc healer, for a divorce from her huS-
band. Adam j., carpenter, on the ground
Of cruelty, has been dismissed, she having
condoned his ofenses on promises of future
good behavior.
Lewis Peterson has sued Lucy Peterson
for divorce Oh the ground OF cruelty.
Bertha A. Stack has sued Thomas b. Stack
on the ground of drunkenness.
IT'S ESTIMATE OF VALUE.
The Executive Committee of the West
Oakland Improvement Association ut re-
cent meeting adopted resolutions that the
value of the marsh is held at too high a
figure. and stating that in lis judgment the
land Is not worth over $1,000 per acre, or at
an aggregate of $4,000 for that part set
apart by ordinance as public park.
Judge Greene yesterday granted new
trial to tie defendant in the case of Miss
Anna de Moldrup VS.. Edgar a. Cohen, an
attorney. She was given verdict for
$4,000 for injuries sustained from the bite of
his dog.
The petition of John W. Hearst for an
electric street railroad franchise in East
Oakland will be discussed at a special meet
ing OF the Committee OF the Whole of The
Council tomorrow evening.
A reception was given TO thr California
W. C. +. U. last evening by the Oakland
WorkingwOmens Club at the ChRbot Home
on Seventh street, near Oak.
The examination of Henry WOolcock was
continued yesterday afternoon until this
morning
WILLIE STONE HEARD F:OM.
Willie Stone, the sixteen-year-0ld meSSen-
ger at the public library, has distinguished
himself by clipping with Miss Annie Adams
of San Pablo, and has written from his
faStness in San Francisco to say that he is
married and waiting for something to turn
up in the way of employment.
ne Will OF QUO GelSe o. VINO uleu on
| Friday was filed yesterday. The personal
estate, saloon, etc, valued at $500, is left
| to his brother, Louis Grise, who is nOmi-
mated as executor. \ policy of insurance
| is devised to his nephew 0.to Geise Jr.
II. Anderson, = car-driver, has charged
John Norman with stealing his gold watch
and chain and SIG. He claims that they
visited the University grounds and that he
was drugged.
The body of an unknown man was found
floating at the foot Of B street. 1t was
badly deeompOsed and had been in the
water for several weeks
The twelfth annual convention os the Cal
ifnrnia Women's Christian Temperance
Union viii begin at the First Congrega-
tional Church to-day and close on Friday
evening
Alameda.
Street Superintendent Frodden is con-
vinced that Park street is in need Of a new
sewer, and yesterday causel two eXcava-
tons to be made in order that the pipe