Los Angeles herald., 1909-12-21
HARRIS HELD ON
ROBBERY CHARGE
COURT FIXES BAIL FOR PRIs-
ONER AT $4,000
DURING ARRANGEMENT YOUNG
MAN REMAINS SILENT
Date for Trial Set for December 30
Police Accord the Accused Special
Privileges and Permit Him to
Order Meals from Outside

Pale and haggard, his eyes gazing
about the courtroom in an uneasy man
ner and his general appearance that Of
a person ill at ease, II. Leslie Harris,
son of the late VIII A. Harris, noted
attorney, and a brother of Lamar a.
Harris, who ended his life recently
after one of the most sensational bank
robberies ever attempted in Chicago.
stood up in police court late yesterday
afternoon and heard Police Judge
Chambers read the complaint charging
him with the larceny of $5S7.75 from the
MacFarland Shirt company.
The accused bowed his head and his
gaze rested on the floor when the jud &c
finished reading the accusation. He
evidently was aware of the fact ii
the charges against him are proved he
will be branded a felon and in all
probability wear the stripes of a con
ViCt and work side by side with muir
derers, burglars and other criminals
confined within the grim walls OF san
Quentin or Folsom.
Harris did not speak a single word
during the proceedings. When his name
was called he did not move from his
seat His name was called again, ana
Patrolmen Parker and Mack, who were
standing nearby, touched the accused
on the shoulders and motioned for him
to arise.
Harris did So stretching his giant
form to it's fullest height and bowling
his head
III. Leslie Harris said Judge Cham
bers. rs that your true name?'
The accused bowed his head lower,
and if he uttered any word it was not
audible to those standing close by.
Judge Reads Complaint
The Judge then read the complaint.
lust as he began to read Harris moved
to the railing, facing the bench and
| leaned on it as if for support. lie
moved about in a restless manner and
shifted his weight from one foot to the
| other uneaSily.
When the judge finished the reading
Of the charge he. in the usual
manner, stated the proceedings was an
arraignment and informed the accused
Of his rights.
Attorney O. f. Smith, a partner OF
w. Ona Morton, who will be the lead
ing counsel for the defense, stepped
forward and said that Attorney Nor
ton will be out of the city for several
DAYS and probably will not return TO
Los Angeles until January ., and asked
that the preliminary examination be
set for that date. After considerable
discussion the hearing was set Tor De-
cember 80.
Attorney Smith then mentioned the
matter of bonds for the accused ana
asked the court TO fix reasonable
amount More discussion followed, ana
with the consent of the attorney for
the prosecution the bonds were fixed
at S3000
Harris then spoke a few words to his
attorney and with an officer on each
side emerged from the courtroom ana
was taken back TO his cell in the city
Jail
Attorney w. Ona Morton, who was a
personal friend of Will A. Harris and
who had been a friend of the family
for many years, appeared at the police
station yesterday morning and held a
long conference with the prisoner
Admits Visiting Store
Later when asked about the case,
Attorney Morton stated that Harris ad-
mitted having been in the store OF
MacFarland, but declared he had gone
there to meet a clerk relative to some
business connected with the establish
ment In which Harris had been IN
terested some time ago.
Harris has been in San Francisco,
said Attorney Morton. He returned
about a week ago and Saturday entered
the store to see one of the men there
about some matter connected with the
MacFarland corporation, of which, he
saws. he was secretary. He understood
there would be legal proceedings
started, and he sought information
"He said he met man employed
there and was to meet him at the store
the following day and discuss the mat
ter. He told me he went there Sunday
shortly before ! o'clock, found the door
unlocked and entered the place, think
! ing the man whom he sought would be
| inside
Harris denies taking the money and
declares he went there on strictly bus'-
ness matters
Attorney Morton said he did not
| know what the defense would be-if
there would be q defense. 1t is under
stood however, that the manner i'm
which Lamar A. Harris openly at
| tempted the robbery of bank at High
| land Park, a suburb of Chicago, being
| indicative of insanity, it is probable the
attorneys for Harris will put forward
| n similar plea in his behalf
Up to a late hour last night Harris
| had not been able to furnish bond, al
though he stated in court he would be
able to provide security in an amount
not exceeding $4,000.
Accorded Unusual Privileges
Since his arrest Harris has enjoyed
| H.. IsAN HEHsaV