Los Angeles herald., 1908-06-17
WHAT'S IN A NAME?
ANSWER is WATTS
BEARER OF C0GN0MEN IN
JUSTICE COURT
Declares He Was Attacked by His
Wlfe-Cross-Exam Her
In Most Tragical
Manner


significant meaning! 1t is the one word
that answers Shakespeare question,
whats In a name?" It's mere mem
{son to those who know, conjureS VS.
ions of bloodshed, fierce encounters,
fiistic difficulties, feuds, neighborhood
quarrels and strenuous adventures.
This time the name is that of per-
son, or rather of persons, not the wen
known little town near Los Angeles.
Had the famous writer been familiar
with the peculiar significance attached
to the one snall word he would have
amended his statement, "A rose by any
. other name would smell as sweet" to
"Any other name than Watts would
mean not half as much"
o. M. Watts of 402 Croker street,
who was arrested several days ago
charged with having threatened to Kill
his wife, and who has been prisoner
in the county Jail since his arrest, is
the latest bearer of the name to appear
in the limelight Of Justice Summertield's
court.
The accused man was unable to Sc
cure the services of an attorney ana
conducted his own case.
Mrs. Ella Watts, wife of the prisoner,
testified her husband, in the presence
of their two children, had grabbed her
on the night of June 5, and Missed: Il
will cut your throat from ear to earl
The woman said she was afraid or him
and wanted him taken into custody
Monday evening, she stated, she met
her husband on Third street and he
struck her twice and knocked her down
The woman was fearful and while she
was testifying against Watts showed
that she still loved the man.
Cross.Examines His Wife
Watts began the cross examination
sc milf n n
Snatching off his coat, he advanced to
the witness, and pointing to one of the
sleeves where a rent had been sewed
said in tense manner: Did you mend
that cut, Mrs. Watts?"
II did," she replied.
How did that cut happen to be
there?" he inquired in a 100000
II cut it with a butcher knife" she
calmly answered.
Then addressing the justice, Watts
said: You see, your honor she admits
having cut that coat. I was sitting in
a chair reading a paper when she
grabbed knife and tried to kill me-"
Then again addressing the witness,
Watts asked her if it was not true that
she tried to stab him to death.
THAT coat was on a chair when cut
it," she replied.
Watts then began to ask a number of
immaterial questions of incidents that
occurred several years ago. He was
told by the court to base his questions
on the happenings of the last year.
Shows Scar
Watts barred his arm and asked his
wife If the scar thereon was not the
result of her having cut him with a
can opener. This she denied. Then he
asked her If she did not threaten to
cut his throat, stick a hatpin through
his heart and burn him with several
kinds of acids. To all these questions
she answered in the negative.
Mary Watts, the defendants 14-year-
old daughter, corroborated her mothers
statements.
Watts took the stand and told q long
story of his family difficulties. He
hasn't the appearance of a bad man."
and drink undoubtedly was the cause
of most of the quarrels.
The man is a born comedian and the
bafliff raped for order a number of
times while the defendant was talking.
After hearing the evidence the justice
told Watts he would be released pro-
vided he furnished a peace bond of
$3.50.
After an unsuccessful search for a
bondsman Watts was brought back
into court yesterday afternoon for SEN
tence.
IL
won't modest your wife and will stay
away from her home" said Justice
Summerfield. II will release you on a
suspended sentence. l think drinking
has had a great deal to do with your
trouble and will make a provision that
you quit drinking. That woman is
afraid of you, and you must stay away
from her."
Testifies to Wlfe's Bravery
"Your honor, you are mistaken. That
woman amt afraid of anything! Why,
she would fight a wildcat, she would"
said Watts.
"Well, don't send me back to JAIL"
continued Watts. II have horror of
staying behind the bars. l think the
few days I've spent there has punished
me for all the sins I have ever COM
mitted. For my sake and everybody
else, and for mine in particular,
don't send me back"
After promising to be good; to secure
employment, and If possible effect a
reconciliation with his wife, Watts was
released on his own recognizance and
his sentence was suspended. AS soon
as he found he was at liberty and
would not have to return to Jail Watts
turned to the justice and said: Thank
you, your honor, 1 don't want any more
of the BOBBY house for mine" AS he
went out of the door he called back a
cheerful Good evening, gentlemen"
and FASTENED away.
--S$0-
Robber on Probation
Sam Webb was placed on probation
fo,- tbraa &c hu Tn1cya XNi1bI1r In tho