The morning call., 1893-05-19
CLAUDE LEE WINS
MaCDonald's Mother in
Court.
Accused of Perjury on Behalf of Her
Son-The Jury Discredit Po-
Iiceman's Testimony.

There was pretty squabble up III Police
Judge Lows court yesterday afternoon
when Mrs. Emma Ransome and Clinton
r. Smith rehearsed the circumstances
that led to charge Of battery being pre-
ferred by Mrs. Ransome against Smith.
Mrs. Ransome is no less person than
Claude Lee. who was proven to be
the mother of Henry Macdonald, the
illig innate son of Captain Macdonald,
and concerning whose share in the Mac
Donald estate there has been so much
recent litigation.
Since the institution of the lawsuit Mrs.
RansOme appears to have lived peaceably
enough. and claims to have received
monthly support from the attorneys who
were fighting the case on her sons behalf.
From the evidence produced in court yes
terday Claude Lee has been on terms of
intimacy with one Clinton r. Smith, of no
occupation, for some SIX years. But Of
late they have not been on good terms,
and Smith is at the present time awaiting
trial on a charge of an assault with a
deadly weapon on the person of Claude
Lee, or RansOme.
That assault is alleged to have been
committed on April II. in Claude's rooms
at 1906 Market street, and it appears that
no sooner did Smith get out OH bonds, one
hour after arrest-the very bonds which
being atteTward proved in sufficient brought
such an amount Of oppr0brium upon the
head of Police Court Clerk Stevens-than
he returned to Claude's rooms. and there
the row began.
Claude stated in court that Smith, on re-
turning, began to upbraid her for having
him arrested, and that on her attempting
to reason with him he struck her on the
nose with beer bottle, cutting himself Sc
pralt in nf nd hat .h 40
blew police whistle and had him ar
rested.
Policeman O'Dea testified that when he
arrested Smith he found the woman bleed
ing terribly from the nose and mouth, and
that Smith, while putting on his coat to go
with him. again kicked and struck Claude
in very brutal manner.
All the defense that Smith had to give
was a general denial of the testimony
against him. He said that he knew
Claude Lee as a variety actress at the
Bella Union, and that he had supported
her for six years. On the day in question
Claude was jealous or his attentions TO
another woman and had struck him with
a beer bottle. lie swore that he never
even laid hands on the woman. As TO the
policeman. Smith sw0re that O'Dea told
him he knew Claude Lee well, and had
''been her friend" for fifteen years.
Smith rambled a good deal in giving his
statements 10 the effect that he had openly
accused Claude of committing perjury in
the Mac cD0nald case. and further asserted
that she and ell-knawn local attorney
hod stood in" together.
Recalled, the officer denied having any
knowledge of complainant other than see
ing her pass to and fro while on his beat. He
repeated his testimony as To the condition
in which he found the planning witness
at the time of the arrest He also denied
having told Smith that he'd better go
quietly or he'd drag him along"
Prosecuting Attorney Shackleford said a
few words, and then Attorney S. II. Long
bawled for some time at the top of his voice
on behalf of the defendant.
Shouting evidently carried the day, for
the jury. after short deliberaton, utterly
ignored the majesty of the law in the per-
son Of the police officer, and. regarding the
whole thing as a dsreputable row, ac-
quilted the defendant
Judge Low Is beginning to wonder
whether some one is going to get convicted
in his court.