The record-union., 1893-12-02
IT Was A SORT OF WAOH-DAY.
Acres of Family Linen Given an Airing
in Court.
Why Some of Jefferis' Sisters Do Not
Recognize the Wife of Witness
Dan O'Hern.

The case of George B. Jefferis, on trial
for the murder of Clara o. Ayres, the
Brighton telegraph operator, was re-
sumed in Department One Oft the Superior
Court yesterday, with Mrs. Jefferis on
the stand. The courtroom was crowded,
as usual.
The wife of the defendant was cross
examined by Mr.. Jones, who went over
the testimony given by her on direct ex-
animation and subjected her to long
and severe questioning. On all import
ant points Mrs. Jeferis adhered to her
statements made on Wednesday,.
She described in detail the alleged incl
dent Of disguised person calling upon
her a week or so ago, and saying he
wished to ''put Jefferis onto Witness"
and said she was positive the man was
O'Hern-just as positive Of it as she was
that her husband had his picture taken
with his beard ON on July +, 1872; that
he shaved on the 9th OF July, and than on
the 7th he was at home during the time
it is alleged he went over to san Fran
cisco to marry Miss Ayres.
Being asked by General Hart concern
ing the kind of clothing worn by her
husband during July, 1892, Mrs. JetfeTls
said it was a navy blue suit and his hat
black derby. When on his engine he
wears a cap. he had never worn
slouch hat since she had known him.
Shortly after Mr.. Jetferis was arrested
one of the reporters IA Chronicle mani
asked for her husbands photograph, and
she replied that she had but one for her
SELF The reporter, however, was per-
mitted to look at it, and carried 1t oil.
To Mr.. Jones witness denied that Mrs.
O'Hern was at her house on the 9Th OF
July, 1892; that she did not call on the
morning of the Sth to inquire where her
husband was, and that she the witness)
did not tell Mrs. O'Hern not to worry be-
cause her husband and Mr.. Jefferis had
been out all night, as they knew what
they were about These alleged occur
rences Mrs. Jefferis denied.
Mrs. Wilson of Brighton was recalled
and asked if she could identify Al
Starkey as the man whom she saw call at
Brighton one evening on an engine and
remain an hour with Miss Ayres inside
the station. She said the person was
about the size and build Of Starkey, but
she could not say it was him.
General Hart asked the witness n ques-
ton the purport of which was to show
that various men called upon Miss Ayres
and that the latter had made admission to
Mrs. Wilson to that effect
Inc QuGSllOu W dS ODlECtSQ 10, anu uuE6
Prewett sustained the objection.
Al Starkey was recalled and denied
having made any proposition to BLACK
Frank" at the international saloon in
voIving the robbery Of anyone or the
burning of any place.
Hefner, alias "Black Frank" was
called and repeated his assertion that
Starkey had asked him what chances he
would take to make $500 or $500, and wit
ness replied that he would not take any
chances that involved the commission of
a felony. The conversation was then
dropped.
Master Mechanic William Mckenzie of
Oakland testified that Jeheris had been
in the railroad company's employ some
twelve or thirteen years. He had never
heard Jefferis reputation called in Ques-
ton.
To Mr.. Ryan witness replied that he
knew nothing about Jefferis' domestic
allairs-he knew him only as an engi-
neer.
Mrs. Frank Sweeney, a sister of JEFF
ferris, was the next witness. Dan o. Hern
has not been in the habit of visiting her
house. He and mis- wife are not on good
terms with the rest of the family. He
called at her house one night, made
threats against her, and declared he
would put her husbands neck in a moose.
At the opening of the afternoon session
MIS-. SW66u6J IGSuIll6u u6I iGSblLuOnNs
being under crOss-eXamination.
Mr. Jones moved to strike ont all of her
testimony thus far, but the motion was
denied.
To Mr.. Ryan witness admitted that she
spent one night with her sister, Mrs.
O'Hern, but repeated that she was not on
speaking terms with O'Hern. She be-
came angry with her sister when she
learned that the latter had been to the
District Attorney to get O'Hern out of
Jail.
Mrs. Sweeney denied that during the
bigamy trial she spoke to her sister in
the hallway of the Courthouse and called
her rattlesnake and a spy. She took
occasion to denounce O'Hern as a worth
less fellow who did not properly support
his wife.
T. W. Heintzleman, Master Mechanic
at the railroad shops in this city, testified
that the reputation of Jefferis was good.
He did not know of his ever taking
drink of liquor.
John Macarthur, Timekeeper in the
Sacramento roundhouse. testified to the
same effect.
Frank Patton, a railroad conductor,
or twelve years, and always understood
his general reputation to be good. He
had heard O'Hern spoken Of as being mo
good"
TO Mr.. Jones witness said he never
heard Jefleris' reputation talked about.
He could not name anyone whom he had
heard say O'Hern was no good. OF his