The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1893-07-12
EVIDENCE AGAINST JEFFERIS.
The Prosecution Begins to Weave Its
Web of Circumstances.
District Attorney Ryan Promises to
Disclose Three NIarriages-De-
tective True on the Stand.

tective True on the Stand.
The task of impaneling a jury to try
George b. Jefferis for alleged bigamy
was completed yesterday in Department
One Of the Superior Court, Judge Prev
EFT of Placer County presiding.
Je1eris was in unusually good humor,
and laughed heartily every time any face
tiousness was INDUCED in by the attor-
neys. The courtroom was uncomfort-
ably crowded with spectators, many Of
whom were ladies.
j. H. Beach and D. Il. Holloway were
examined at length as to their qualifica
tons to serve as jurors and were accepted,
making the panel complete. The trial
proper then began.
MR.. RYAN's STATEMENT.
District Attorney Ryan in his opening
address to the jury said that George B.
Jeheris was charged with bigamy. The
prosecution would show that Jefieris had
been married three times. In September,
1856, Jeferis obtained a divorce from his
first wife. In October, 1856, one month
after the divorce was granted, Jei1eris
married \ elIe Ely, who was his lawful
wife. and with whom he is now living
On June p, 1892, George ID. Jetferis went
TO the County Clerk Of San Mateo and
procured a license to marry Ollie Ayers,
swearing in his affidavit that she was
resident Of san Mateo County. He gave
his name as Eugene J. Jeneris and tried
70 disguise his handwriting. on July :,
1892, George B. Jefleris went to the
County Clerk in san Francisco and pro-
cured marriage license to marry Clara
Olga Ayers. This time he gave his right
name.
MISS AYERS VISITS.
The marriage was consummated on The
following Gay, July S, 1892. The parties
were married by Rev. MIR. Ferguson of
Sixteenth street. Subsequently Jeleris
engaged a room III the Arcade lodging
house, in this city, remarking TO the pro-
prietor that his wife would visit him at
intervals and to lei her in when she came.
I'VE Will show" said Mr.. Ryan, "that
Miss Ayers, and not Mrs. Jeheris, did
visit his room on several occasions. We
Will show that Jefteris, becoming alarmed
at his relations with Miss Ayers, talked
with several parties about going out 10
Brighton, procuring papers and robbing
the statIou-house. Va o will prove that
the day prior to the burning of the Brigh-
ton station the lawful Mrs. Jeheris re-
turned from visit to Oregon"
MIR. Ryan said, further, that when
Jeiferis applied Tor marriage license at
san Mateo he had full beard. He also
had a full beard when he married Miss
Ayers in San Francisco. After the mar
rlage Jetferis shaved his beard of. lie
had made a mistake in saying that JEFF
ferris was divorced nom his wife. ON the
contrary, she obtained a divorce from
MIN.
THE LAWFUL WIFE.
Deputy County Clerk Eugene 5. Wach-
Ln-er cd q l.,
Mr.. Ryan as soon as the latter had con-
Guided his address. He showed by the
records in his office that on October 25
1856, George b. Jetferis swore to an af-
tidavit in which he was given license to
marry Nellie Eby. The stub showing
when the license was issued was also OF
1ered in evidence.
Railroad Detective +. T. Burke then
took the stand. He testified that in De-
cember last he and Ben True, armed
with warrant, went to Oakland and took
Jetleris into custody on a charge of muir
derlng Miss Ayers. Jetferis was then
confined IN the Oakland Jail, having been
arrested the night previous by Officers
Hickey and Downey on a dispatch. En-
route TO this city the prisoner stated that
he was married TO Nellie Ely on the 18th
of October, 1856, by the Rev. Mr.. Frost of
Sacramento. Jet1eris in reply to uues-
ton, said that he had never procured
license 20 marry MISS ayers. II anybody
had done so they must have represented
him for the purpose OF blackmaiI.
When brought to Sacramento, JefIeris
said, in the presence Of the District At
tOrney, that his wife was Nellie Eby. and
that they had two children. He said that
be had two children whom he loved and
would not disgrace.
On cross-examination Mr.. Burke said
he had no feeling in the case. He simply
had done his duty. He acknowledged
that although he and officer True were to-
getner, they brought the defendant to
Sacramento from Oakland handcufled.
lie said he never took any chances with
men who are charged with murder.
Afternoon Session.
In the afternoon W. J. McGarvey, Dep
uty County Clerk Of San Mateo County.
was called to the stand. He has had
charge Of issuance of marriage licenses