The morning call., 1892-10-04
BRUNER IS ON TRIAL.
What Was Brought Out
Before the Jury.
LAWYER REDDY'S QUESTION.
1t Excites Witness OttiDgar, Who Uses Some
Very Strong Language in Denying
Certain Allegations.

The case OF the people against Elwood
Bruner on a charge OF having solicited
bride from A. Ottinger. the tieket-brcker.
was commenced in Department 6 OF the
Superior Court before Judge Wallace
yesterday morning.
The prosecution was represented by
Assistant District Attorney Black and
w. W. Foote, while Patrick Reddy. assisted
by his client, looked after the defense.
The trial was delayed half an hour and
more by the absence from the box of Juror
Mccarthy. When that individual at last
arrived, hot and anxious, Judge Wallace'S
stock OF patience had become entirely ex-
hausted aud he proceeded to give Mccarthy
a lecture that he Will remember.
Assistant District Attorney Black made
the opening statement for the people. In
which he said that 1t was proposed to prove
that Bruner, while member of the last
Legislature, had offered to kill the bill
introduced in the Assembly and known as
No 706, IAN act 10 prevent frauds upon
Travellers in consideration OF the sum OF
$500 being paid; that he finally reduced
tile amount TO $1,000; that he (Bruner) did
kill the bill in the judiciary Committee. of
which he was the chairman; that Bruner
made several attempts TO collect the money,
to blackmail Ottinger and failed
The first witness called was III. Bledsoe,
the Assemblyman from Humboldt County,
a member Of the Judiciary Committee, by
whom it was proved that Bruner was chair
man OF the committee.
Secretary of State E. G. Waite was next
called, but did not answer.
Then Ottinger was placed on the stand
aud told the same story over again that he
has told before so many courts and grand
jures.
The day was absolutely devoid Of interest
until toward the close OF the cross-eXamina-
ton OF Ottinger by Mr.. Reddy.
'Do you know James Monroe" asked
Mr. Reddy.
Il don't know"
SIS Mr.. Monroe in the courtroom"
Il am here" answered a bald headed
young man. rising from his seat. He was
asked to come forward where Ottinger
could see him, and the latter at once recog-
nized him as a fellow passenger on the
train coming from Stockton on the oath OF
last September
Ottnger said that Monroe sat in a seat
ahead Of him in the car.
"Now. SIR asked Mr. Reddy, rising
dramatically with letter in his hand from
which he read, did you not say TO female
passenger in the car that day to whom you
were talking that during the last session OF
| tile Legislature you went TO BrUner TO get
| him to assist you in a matter against the
| Southern Pacific Railroad aud that Bruner
| would have nothing 10 DO with y0uR Dld
| you not tell this woman that you told him
| that some day maybe you could do him
| some good and that Bruner answered that
| be doubted 1t? And did you not tell her
| tina. Bruner said that you, Ottinger. was
| nothing but sheeny. anyway. and that as
he, Bruner, was leaving you, you told him
| you would get even on him some day."
| As Mr.. Reddy ceased MIR. Ottinger jumped
! to his feet and said, excitedly:
| That's a Liza lie. l never said any,
thing Of the kind. and anybody who says so
| lies"
| The court cautioned the Witness and Mr..
| Foote also spoke TO him.
Witness Ottinger then stated that he did
| not know the name of the woman he talked
| with, and denied that the bald-headed
| young man (M0nroe) had ever talked with
| him about Bruner
"Mr. 0ttinger, didn't you say to woman
| In tie Del Monte restaurant on the night OF
| September q last that you told Bruner you
would got even with him?" asked Mr..
| Reddy
mo, sir; never" answered Ottinger.
| The cr0ss-examination with that ended
for the day, to be resumed this morning.