The San Francisco call., 1899-08-30
MINISTER ASSAULTED
BY HIS S0N-IN-LAW
FRED CLEAVES CoWARDLY AT
TACK ON REV. G. MORRIS.

ALAMEDA, Aug. GA warrant was
issued this morning for the arrest of
Frederick Cledves of Napa on a charge
of battery. Cleaves beat his father-tn-
law, Rev. George Morris, last evening at
the latter's home, 631 Railroad avenue.
Mr.. Morris is an old man and was the
first pastor of the Congregational church
of this city.
CIeaves, it appears, has not been sup
porting his family, consisting of his wife
and four children, for more than a year.
By an understanding between himself and
his wife, CleaVes came to Alameda yes
terd2y evening for the purpose OF getting
his children and taking them to their
grandfather's ranch. near Napa. He
called at the residence Of Mr.. Morris yes
terday and asked for his children. His
request was complied with and he then
demanded to be allowed to see his wife.
but Mrs. Cleaves had expressed a desire
not to see her husband He attempted
father shut the door and locked it.
Cleaves broke the door open and in his
rage struck his aged father-in-law sew
eral blows about the face, breaking his
eye glasses and blackening his eyes. Mr..
Morris face was also badly bruised. Bert
Morris. a son, happened to come into the
house at this time and interfered in his
fathers behalf. Cleaves then left, taking
the children with him. He seemed much
amused over what he had done, and
laughed as he walked out of the yard.
L
City Recorder st. Sure and swore to a
complaint charging CleaVes with battery
A warrant was issued and given to Con-
stable Wahmuth TO serve. Cleaves had
already disappeared, and it is presumed
went to Napa.
Cleaves is prominent worker in the
Christian Endeavorers and Boys Brigade.
He was formerly captain of one of the
Alameda Boys Brigade companies. and
took an active part in religious work in
Alameda, Oakland and Berkeley, and his
character was considered beyond re-
prOach CleaVeS married Miss Kate Nor
ris ten years ago. He was a good pro-
wider for his family until about three
years ago. when, 1t is said, the majority
of his salary found It's way into the book
makers hands at the racetrack. Several
months ago the Sheriff took possession of
the furniture and household goods to sat
isfy a judgment of San Francisco furni-
tute circumstances and was compelled 10
go with her children to her father, who
was then living at Santa Cataline. Later
on Cleaves wrote to his wife that he had
house and had been awarded 500 dam
ages, but as he failed to send her any Of
the money to return TO him, or in anyway
TO provide for his children, Mrs. Cleaves
wrote to her husband and told him he
would either have to provide for the chill
dren or take them and care for them
himself. He consented to take the chill
dren and Mrs. Cleaves came to Alameda
to turn the children over to her husband.
Rev. George Morris is over 10 years OF
age. He is the father of Justice of the
Peace Henry 7. Norris and Of George
Morris the grocer. Mr.. Morris is pio-
neer minister and is at present in charge
of the Congregational mission at the West
End The residents of the West End are
very much wrought up over CleaveS' cow
ardly attack upon the aged minister, who
is held in high esteem by every one Of
them. Cleaves is in Napa and has not yet
been arrested.