The morning call., 1893-04-14
HE CHIDED CHRIS.
DR.. Ryer Did Not Like
His Extravaganza.
Witnesses Testify That the Paternity
Was Matter of Common Gossip
in Stockton.

DR.. L. Ireland. an old pioneer of Stock
ton, was the first witness called in the
Ryer case yesterday morning.
The witness, who is rs years of age,
jokingly told counsel that he didn't like to
say how old he was because he might want
to get married again. He gave his testi-
mony in a manner that convulsed the whole
courtroom.
In 1858 he was living in Stockton and was
Intimately acquainted with DR.. Ryer; also
with the mother OF Chris, who was then
known as Mrs. Ryer. BE had ofieated at
the introduction of Chris into this world,
having attended the mother at the request
of DR.. Ryer.
DR.. ireland further testified that subse-
quently lie often saw the woman and child /;
that Dr. Ryer was also frequently at the
house and used to fOndle the child. and that
Ryer had been in the habit of taking his
(Dr. Ireland's) buggy and spanking horses to
give Chris and his mother all airing.
Some years after that DIR. Ryer was
married, was he n0t?"
Yes; l think he was married to a Miss
Fletcher, and, gentlemen, l tell you his
wife did cut up pretty rough " hen she heard
of Chris and his mother"
"What did she say ?"
"She said that If the child was his he
ought to take care Of it,"
"DO you remember a duel DR.. Ryer
fought with DR.. Langd0n?"
Yes, sir"
ibid lie tell you how Re had disposed of
the property in case Of his death?"
"Yes, sir: he said half would go to his son
Chris and the other half 10 Chris mother"
Then DIR. Ireland was subjected TO a
cross-eXamnation, in which Mr. Hayes
tried to break down his testimony by show
ing that his memeTy was defective but the
QnpIHUt nOTstplan ton munh for 10
lawyer. and he was finally told he might CO.
The witness bTeathed sigh of relief and,
turning TO the court. asked with great
gravity:
rs it possible: Judge. that they are
through with me ?"
Yes. doctor; you may 60"
THANK God for that, Judge, I thought /
was doomed for The rest of the year"
As he walked leisurely down from the
platform the old 49-er waved his stick at
the assembled court, so as to take in every
attorney in 1t and said famllary:
well. good-by. boys: take care of your.
selves while l am gone" and out he walked
The next witness called was D. W. Bury,
who had kept hotel, bar and billiard hall
in Stockton in 1871.
Chris used to be around my place good
deal. L knew the doctor at that time, but
not personally.
'One day be came In and found Chris p!ay-
Ing game of billiards. They talked for
halI an nour, ana Inen Or. Ryer borrowed
500 of me and gave it to the boy, with whom
he left the place. Soon after ne returned,
handed me back the twenty and asked,
Does Chris frequent your place ofteuP'
Il said that he did, but that he never
drank to excess.
"'Well,' pursued the doctor. does he ap-
pear to spend much money? Is he often
brokeP'
"'Not Often 1 replied. l occasionally
lend him small amounts. He Is a pretty
wild boy-spends his money as fast as he
makes it.
Then DIR. RYer said: The less you lend
my son Chris the better l will like It,
want nv son to learn the value OF money!"
j. c. 2 gnego testified that he had resided
in Stockton since 1850.
Dr. Ryer had on several occasions, when
the witness had visited his house, stated
that Chris was his son and that he was
going to educate him.
At that time everybody had heard OF the
relationship, in fact. 1t was generally be-
lieved throughout Stockton that Christie
pher was the natural son of DR.. Ryer by
Dolores, daughter of Donna Manuella.
The case goes on next Tuesday at 10
o'clock.