The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-11-25
TALKING TO JOHNNY LEAGUE
Colored Men Fighting for an
Office.
A REAL ESTATE AGENTS. DEAL.
Industrial " General" KeIiey's Offer
to the Associated Charities
of Oakland.

OAKLAND.-The Bygum case developed
scene in Superior Judge Ellsworth's
courtroom this m orning, when a. 10 O'Clock
the jury reported that they could not agree
upon verdict. The suit was against the
Southern Pacific Company for $4,000
damages on account of the killing of Carl
Bygum's minor son by a train in West
Berkeley several months ago. The case
was submitted to the jury just fifteen
minutes before u o'clock Friday morning
and it took the Jurors exactly twenty-three
hours to agree to disagree.
In rendering his report the foreman Of
the jury explained that six jurors were
convinced that the railroad was response
blet or the child's death and wanted to
award damages to the father, while the
other halt of the jury we're against allow
ing damages. He said that they bad used
every eudeavor to agree, but could not do
so. and he asked that they be discharged.
At this juncture Attorney Jennings,
who represented Byeum, asked the court
for permission to question Que of the jurors
on a very important matter. Judge Els.
worth wanted 10 know what the matter
was, and in reply MIR. Jennings claimed
that one of the jurors had been guilty OF
gross misconduct during the progress OF
the trial
Attorney Jennings charge was that
Juror G. n. Berdan had on the Saturday
night preceding the recent election dined
with Private Detective John f. league,
one of the principal witnesses for the defense,
and Edwin c. Barclay in a restaurant on
Eleventh street, and that while there he had
discussed the Bygum case with league.
The court agreed 10 allow the investigation
and in reply TO the first question put to him bv
Jennings. Berdan admitted that he had dined
with league and Barclay on the evening re-
ferred to.
Did you tell Mr.. league that you had been
out to Berkeley and examined the ground
where the accident occured?" asked Jen-
nings.
Berdan-I did not.
Jennings-Did you tell Mr. league or Mr.
Barclay mat there were three or four old
on the jury who would be for the old man?
Berdau-I did not.
Mr.. Jennings then explained TO the court that
Mr.. Barclay had told him that Berdan had
made these statements 10 league IN his (Bar-
clay s. presence.
Mr.. Berdan then flushed up and looked quite
angry ana asked for permission TO explain. He
stated that he Lad been TO Berkeley shortly
before the election because he was assisting
Walter Laymance. Democratic candidate for
treasurer, IN his canvass. While electioneer-
Ing he mel Barclay and league, and they went
TO dinner together. Both himself and Barclay
are Free MasOns, and when each had recognized
thr tact he and Barclay began TO talk over
loGge matters. After dinner they kept up their
conversation, until league arose, saying that
II was no place for him. and be paid for the
dinner and departed. In conclusion Berdan
Indignantly exclaimed that no man could justly
doubt his Integrity or honor juror.
Raill DAD Attorney Moore then took hand In
The proceedings. He said that Mr.. Jennings
was not sincere In bis charges, because he had
Known or the matter he charged Berdan with
Tor several days, and he alleged that Jennings
would have said nothing about il If the jury
had returned IA verdict in favor of his client.
Judge Ellsworth, however, appeared o think
differently. He remarked that it was his
opinion that ihe affair was of so serious ma
lure as to warrant thorough investigation.
He suggested that Nit. Jennings look up the
law In the matter and report back 10 him at his
earliest convenience.
The matter will come up again this week
when II is more than probable that the Grand
Jury Will have an investigation on its own ac-
count.
Wants No "BIack Petition"
There is a merry war on among the colored
people OF Alameda County, aud what are called
the Pierson faction and the Wids faction are
trying TO down each other In political style.
IL Is all over The janitorshiD in the State
capitol. Secretary OF State-elect Brown has
the position 10 give out and The applicants are
Thomas PiersOn, colored Republican orator,
and Horace Wilds.
The fight for Wlds is being conducted by
John Mlds, the Oakland city hall janilor, and
j. b. Wilson. The latter went over 10 san
Francisco carrying protest against the APP
pointment of P!erson and signed by colored
voters. They say that Persons pc tIon is
Wllds be appointed.
Plerscn declines to ask for "black petition"
as the controVersialists call the petition OF the
color men, saying lie bases his CLAIM on be.
Ing Republican aud not on being a colored
man.
Secretary Brown is In quandary over the
matter, as he has but one janltorShip TO give
out. The place is worth $1,000 year.
For the position OF sergeant-at-arms of the
Assembly Oakland has several candidates,
among III m being eX-Sheriff Hussey H r
Smith. A. = Baker and Iesip Rlapk N
Stuart MacMulin is candidate for the office
oil assistant enrolling clerk of the Senate.
William Mcdonald of LivermOre and w. E.
Body OF Pleasanton are making tight for a
clerkship under Clerk Jordan.
j. w. Dutton will not be jaller under Sheriff
elect White, but will probably become court
bailln. Whites son may be head jailer.
Gohrm~n's Mysterious Disappearance
The mystery surrounding the disappearance
OF j. c. Gohrman, Deputy Street Superintend.
ent is increasing. His most intimate friends
profess 10 know nothing Of his whereabouts,
but neither do they seem 10 be at all uneasy
One OF them. w. II. MacKinnon, thinks that he
has gone 10 Los Angeles on business connected
viii the sale OF slate quarry, but tie general
opinion Is that he has been on a prolonged
spree, and is at present either in San Francisco
or Oakland. Several people declare that they
saw him on Washington street In this city sew
eTal days ago.
The mystery was increased yesterday after.
noon when number of documents bearing his
name were filed with the County Recorder.
OuO " d. uetu from OODtl u. GOHrfnd II TO his
wife, Emma Gohrman, OF property Oh Peralta
street, near. Eighth Besides there are lwO
assignments OF mortgages, one to his wife and
the other 10 Cath rine GUhImap. The wife
also makes and assigns mortgage TO Gohr-
mans friend, w. III. McKinnon, and j. g. Gohr-
man and wife make deed 10 +. d. Kinds OF
their interest In f0rty-three acres of land in
Indian Guch, near Lake Merritt
The Gohrman residence Is at 991 Willow
street. Mrs Gohrman says that her husband
has not been home since tuesday, but notwith
a. In
be at all uneasy. She stated that the docu-
mens filed yesterday represented transfers
which had been made some time ago. and as
they had been lying about the house ever since
she thought II best 10 Dut them on record. She
processes To believe that Mr.. Gohrman was
called away on business.
Some ieople, however, see In the recording of
the deeds anG mortgages that Gohrman is In
financial distress. Street Superintendent Har-
rlson threatens to appoint new deputy unless
Gohrman puts III an appearance very soon.
The Ranch and Lodging Hous4.
The Inauguration of criminal proceedings by
Toe =