The San Francisco call., 1897-12-15
LAUGHTER AND
PATHOS IN COURT
William ]. FEWER, a Potrero
Butcher, and His Wife
Agree to Disagree,
He Refuses to Give Her Money
Because She Keeps His Pic
lures and Letters.
Pathetic Story of Sick Girl Who
Seeks to Recover Possession
of Her Doll.

The habitues Of Judge CampbelPs court
were treated yesterday morning to farce
comedy that highly amused them, and
hmm ediateIy after TO a scene that cn anged
their laughter almost into tears, hard as
most OF them by nature are.
The iarce-comedy was when the case OF
William J. Fewer a staIwart and we'll
dressed bu.cher from the Potrero, was
called. FEWER was charged by his wife
with failure 10 provide for his four Chill
dren.
Mrs. Feiver, stout little woman with
speclacles, showed considerable feeling
when testlfylng She said they had four
children, the oldest IS years OF age. Last
May she and her hus band agreed to live
apart and he allowed her only $40 a
month, although his income was $175.
He had refused to pay the $40 for III s
month.
Your Honor" said FEWER, Il am will
ing 10 pay it If she will give me some
pictures and letters she has belonging to
me-"
i won't do it, retorted Mrs. FEWER.
They are indecent pictures, and pictures
of himself and other women taken at the
Chutes. When he left me ne went to live
with Mrs. Reddy, and she died about two
months ago. l got pos ~ sslon of the pict-
ures and letters anu found that he had
been paying he doctors bills for Mrs.
Reddy."
Why don't you give him the pictures
and let ers?'
because if he brings a suit for divorce
against me [ want TO have them. Oh, l
know why he wants to get them"
We'll" said the Judge, tits a case of
giving up the pictures and .etters and get
Ting The $40 OF the other way"
Il will not give them up" said Mrs
Fewer firmly.
The case will be dismissed" " said the
Judge. Wont you give up the PICTURES
and letters?"
mo, 1 VIII no." said Mrs. FEWER, as
she prepared 10 leave the courtroom.
That man runs around with a lot OF
women in the Potrero, 'Sweetle Heg ,erty'
among them. and do you think FII give
him the chance to get divorce from me? :?
No, SIR"
~ ou are just out $40" said the judge
as she disappeared through the door.
The patho> came when Mrs. Mamie Nc
Gowan, 642 Folsom street, appeared 10
swear 10 "a search warrant for the recovery
OF a dol from Mrs. Margaret Parker, 130
Fern avenue.
WHATS this about doll?" asked the
Judge, petulantly.
Win tears in her eyes Mrs MCGOWAN
saiI: The doll belongs 10 my LttIe girl,
Ottie, who is an invalid. She is now ten
years OF age and for some years was a.
most blind. Then she was laid up with
an attack OF dIphtheria and since then
she has suffered from dIphtheritic pa
ralysis.
The doll cost $l2, and was given her
three years ago this coming Christmas
We used to live with Mrs. Parker, and be-
cause she claims that we are d ue her a
lew dollars for rent she refuses TO give up
the doll and some of my own things. l
am willing TO pay her what owe her, but
she wants more.
my sick girl has been constantly cry
ing for her doll, anu want to have it for
Chris mas gift to her, as L have no
money 10 buy another for her.
by this time the tears were running
down the woman's cheeks.
The Judge promptly signed the warrant
and the doll was taken to the Property
Clerks Office to await the decision OF the
court to-day.