The morning call., 1894-08-02
OF MRS. PoyLsoN.

y
when the case of The People Us. Bennett
was called.
Bennett is accused Of assault to commit
murder. the complainant being George
Gray, the father Of Miss Ella Gray, whom
Bennett is accused of having first ruined
and since bounded " following her from
place to place. Gray and Bennett met on
Saturday in a local train and both took
shots at each other. Bennett has since
been in Jail, and, with like charge hang
ing over him and complaint with smi-
lar charge to answer TO Gray is out on
hail. When Bennett was locked up bis
friends deserted him entirely.
The complainant was represented by
Tom Bradley and Assistant District Attor-
ney Frick, while Bennett acted as his own
attorney, being unable even to get law
yer to acT for him. His faithful wife was
with him, however, and occasionally spoke
to him as though advising him.
Mrs. Bennett is Dlidule-aged woman,
and bUre the marks of much suffering in
her face. She was very plainly dressed
and Bennett himself appeared as though
he could have been helped by Visit 10 his ward
robe. He was unShaYeD and kept his coat-cOllar
turned up about his neck. He questioned the
witnesses spaTingly, ana was inclined to defer
out question,
ne witnesses examined were: NJ. V. Ritter,
II. T.. Wright, B. Z. Robinson, II. MORN, Z. j.
Benjamin, a local train gatema0, c. w. A.
True, also a gateman, Police Captain Wilson
and Conductor Carpenter or the train on which
the shooting TOOK place.
The testimony of the witnesses was conflict
ing. from the fact tnat all were very much eX-
cIled and have little loea as TO lust what did Oc
cur.
For instance. one witness stated positively
rIsrnr rrrb rEa -
when entering, and took seat beyond and in
front Of Bennett. Tie gateman, Benjamin.
who told the most connected story. stated that
she walked up the car aisle Just ahead of her
father, and at no time passed beyond Bennett.
His evidence is cOrrOboraied by mat of Gate
man True, but the latter created a stir by in
siSIing StOutly that the shooting by Bennett
took place in an entirely different car from mat
IN which Gray shot at Bennett. This testimony
made Bennett smile, and he remarked that the
witness was a ''liLtle OFF, in his statement.
The point THAI the prosecution sought 10
make was that Bennett shot al Gray after the
latter had Deen diSarmed. Only TWO witnesses
were certain OF this, Benjamin and True
One witness testified that when he was dis
arming Bennett the latter cried out: "Oh. my
wife My wife - AT this testimony Mrs. Ben.
nett put her handkerchief TO her eyes for an in
stant.
The examination goes on to-day, when Ben
nett is expected 10 introduce as a witness Cap
tain Robertson OF the jCtemills, who was ON
tile train and with whom he was in conVersa-
ton previous TO The shooting. This will be
Benefits only witness.
After the adjournment Bennett and his wife
talked freely. Mrs. Bennett has implicit faith
In her husband and feels Keenly the deSertion
of him Dy his friends at this time. Tears were
in her eyes when she said that no word of SYM
pathy had come TO them yet in this trouble.
She added:
For the sake OF our little family do all you
can for US. We are poor, but / believe that my
husband has done nothing 10 turn tue world so
completely against us. We have two little
q c "A hOmR disOFaPP
Why, they Will not allow my husband TO get
shaved even"
Mrs. Bennett seemed TO feel somewhat the
unkempt appearance OF her husband, and
asked him why he did not get shaved. he an
sWered that they would not allow him TO have a
barber. He said that The Chief of Police had
sent an officer 10 him and told him be might go
and see barber If he submitted TO being hand
cutfed, but This was too much. Think" said
Bennett "of appearing handcutfed on the
street. You see how they treat me. l have done
much for some men of San Francisco but none
help me now. You see had 10 act as my own
LAWYER, but am ready TO stand up before the
world and battle slngle-handed for what |
think right l believe l will yet be vindieated,
although it looks dark now. Did l act right in
my defense? Doy you think | acted anything
Ike the crazy man have been called ?'
The reporter suggested that after this trouble
he should go out OF his way 10 avoid Miss Gray.
and he quickly said. Il have not bothered
her"
Mrs. Bennett then stated that she long ago
wanted her husband TO leave the coast alto
geLher but he stopped her by saying: mo. |
came TO Oakland for my health" He adGed,
speaking OF Miss Gray aud her family: In
the future Will give them no cause 10 COM
plain of me-"
The Woman's Congress.
The Alameda Branch of the Woman's Con.
gress MT at the First Unitarian Church at
2:3O o'clock yesterday afternoon. The purpose
OF the meeting was TO effect q permanent or
GanlZaIiOn and 10 discuss the various lines OF
WORK that present themselves TO The congress
The meeting was called 10 order by Mrs.
Edna Smell POulSOn, the president of the Ala
media County branch, who indicated the lines
along which thought should be directed. She
said that unless action accompanied theories
The work would he futile. The various branches
throughout the State are waiting 10 see what
Oakland viii 60.
Mrs. Eliza Upper Wilkes assistant pastor of
the FlrsV Unitarian Church, delivered short
address, pointing out the pIactcabiliIy of the
congress work. which she defined as the quick
ening OF woman's social conscience.
Brief addresses were delivered by Miss
Sarah ID. Hamlin, DR.. Kellogg. Lane Mrs San
ford and others. A committee OF three was
appointed TO selecl permanent officers TO be
voted on at the night session, and an adjourn
meBt was taken.
The a lameda County Branch of the Womap,s
Congress met at the First Unrariaa Church
last night 10 elect permanent officers, but The
committee appointed To select ladies' TO be voIed
upon for the offices asked that their time be
extended TWO weeks. This was granted and
meeting was called for Wednesday afternoon
10Th inst, TO complete the permanent organiZa-
tion. The programme of the evening was as
follows: "The Wider Motherhood" - Kpapp:
The Highest Education" Miss Lille j. Mar
tin, late YIce-prlneipal of the San Francisco
Girls High School; practical Education in
oregon" DR.. Margaret Smell of the A Agricultural
College at Corvallis; The Education of the
Hand" ID. Annette Z. Buckle; sanitation in
Oakland" DR.. Adams
All to the Widow.
The will of the late E. L. G. Steele was fled
for probate yesterday by the widow Emma S.
Mcpherson Steele. She is Nominated sole eX-
ecutrix to serve without bonds. The petition
sets forth that the estate is worth $4,000
The Will is Geographic. IL was written on a
eheet OF commercial note, and bore the date OF
March ~ 1883. 1t is as follows
SAN FRANCISCO. March %, 1888
!. Edward Lindley Gray Steele of the city of
oakland, county OF Alameda. State of California
do hereby make and declare this to be nv LAST
Will and testament. and do by these presents in
case OF my death give and bequeath unto NV
mother, Eliza Ann Steele OF BROOKLYN n Y If
she be alive az the time o nv death the sum Of
$4,000, aud unto my wife, Emma >. Mcpherson
steele. tne entire residue of all my real estate
and personal property wherever situated, for her
sole and benefit. having full faith the mothers
love which she bears our children Edward
Beatrice and Mnriel Steele, will cause her to care
for their education and welfare without special
provision for their separate use have already
decided to said Edward AdoDh about $50 acres
of land in FL Dorado County. 1 hereby appoint
Emma s. Mcpherson Steele my sole execntrix
without bonds and in my mother de-
scrIbed above should die before myself then in
that case the said $4,000 shall also revert to my
wife. EDWARD L. g. STEELE.
The witnesses were E. N Bee and R. G.
Hooker. Mrs. Eliza Steele died 10 New York
I'm 1892 The heirs are the widow aud the
three children Edward A.. Beatrice and Mu-
rleI. aged respectively Is, Is and II years.
Mrs, Poulson wIthdraws.