The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-08-08
HART REAL MEAN.
Mrs. Van HuZen Made to
Tell Things.
ALL MEN ALIKE TO HER.
Which Assertion Facts Seem to
Bear Out.
ALL MEN ALIKE TO HER.
ALREADY HAD THREE HUSBAND!
Seems Doubtful, Yet She Says Sam
Clark Was to Have Been
the Fourth.

WOODLAND, Aug. 7.--Sam Clark's fan
Gee made another sensation for the goSslps
of Woodland this afternoon. She was the
last witness to-day, being recalled by the
prosecution. 1t was General Harris cross
examination that afforded the food for
the gossip. AT her first appearance he
had spared her feelings, but yesterday lit
tie mercy was shown Mrs. Van HuZeD.
The prosecution has been making much
capital out Of the story that Mrs. Van
HuZsn had been threatened. and that she
was frightened 10 death and afraid to go
on the stand. Her appearance was uneX-
pected, but the court was soon crowded
with women. and during her testimony all
present crushed up to the rail to get good
view of her. At first General Hart op-
posed the admission of her testimony about
what two A. R. u. dodgers named Ray and
Reed had said in her house. The Judge,
too, could not exactly see the relevancy of
what strangers had gosSiped about with
the five defendants, but impatiently ad-
mitted it when he saw that an adverse deci-
sion was likely to precipitate long-winded
argument. Mrs. Van Huzen took her seat
on the witness-stand, this time attired alto
gether in plain black. She said first that
she should request the reporters TO report
her correctly, and then went on 10 tell her
story.
II entered the room." she said when
Ray and Reed were talking of ditching a
train. l asked how was it to be done. Easy
enough replied Ray, pull the pins out
and let the rails spread He said if people
didn't keep their mouths shut he could put
his hand on half a sack of dynamite
They talked about Sam Clark. They said
he'd never get to Davisyille. If he don't
die one way he'll die another. IF he don't
drown he'll scald to DEATH and If he don't
scald TO death there's enough dynamite to
to blow him to h were some OF the eX-
pressions used" Ray was a member OF
the A. r. u.
Then Mrs. Van HuZen was turned over
to General Hart and bit by bit reluctantly
was drawn from her the details of her pri-
vate history. 1t developed that Mrs. Van
Huzen had been married to a Van PilZer
and also to aMertens. Van Pilzer was the
first husband; she had been divorced from
him. Three years after she had married
Mertens, who lives in Shasta County. She
was divorced from Mertens at Auburn
where she was married by Justice of the
Peace. Three years after being married
TO Van Huzen she got divorced again.
That was four years ago. For time she
refused to mention Mertens 'name, saying,
'You ought not to bring him in"
"Were you engaged to Sam Clarke"
asked the attorney.
81 was, sir"
"How long ago."
1.-TWO weeks before his DEATH"
Ibid not he complain OF you before he
died? ?"
mo. sir; he did not"
'Did not he say that if you did not stop
chasing him he'd have you arrestedP"
The thin lips drew close together, and
with defiant toss of the head. II never
heard of il" replied the witness.
"Sure of it?" came with cruel persist
eEce.
"Inever caught him in lie." said the
widow under her voice.
There was pause.
"Were your relations with Sam Clark
purely those of engagement" probed
Hart, and the audience strained with ex-
pectancy.
"They were.''
The words came out in kind of sob,
and Mrs. Van Huzen Strengthened right
up in her chair and famed herself vigor-
ously.
"Were there any young ladies in your
house?"
"Yes, Miss BERTHE Owens and Mrs. Bald
win"
You kept lodgin g. g-house-was 1t for
men or women ?" insisted General Hart.
"For men or women who came along.
who wanted a room and paid for it," cried
the witness. catching her breath.
did not Miss BERTHE Owens live with
you in Lincoln, Placer County ?"
"She did"
"Why did you say the other day that
Sam Clark came homer Did you ever live
in the same house with him ?"
81 said Mr.. Neal came home. l never
was in Sam Clark's house but once" The
witness went on to state that she was lv-
ing at the Capitol Hotel She had seen
some of the attorneys for the prosecution
mere, but got little mixed up on names.
She said she had spoken to Mr.. Bruner.
did he visit you alone or with any one
else?" asked General Hart.
do Gains VIII tue OtDeI gentleman,
said the witness. coyly. looking at District
Attorney Head. Then she added in ex-
planation, ''All the men are all alike to
me-" A laugh went around the court.
IF men are all alike to you.do Mr.. Wor-
den and Mr.. Carol! Cook look alike ?"
asked General Hart.
The two men felt equally insulted and
looked Indignantly at each other and again
the audience laughed.
Now, Mrs. Van Huzen, you say your
life was threatened. Are you afrald"
went on the general, unmiDdful of what
his piscatorial journey would develop.
Not Of you." almost hissed the lady,
looking him hard in the eye. This was
too much for the dignity of the court.
Every one laughed and the laugh was re-
doubled when she added. 81 am not afraid
of man. Pm afraid of coward. I'm
not afraid of you, sir"
'I'lI take good care you don't get near
enough to me to be afraid. I'll run," re-
torted Hart, ana then the witness mur-
INJURED that she had never been in court
before. but that her life had been threat