KEEPER OF INSANE KEATING'S TRIAL PROVES A FARCE Hospital Scandal Is Investigated. FINAL ACTION IS DEFERRED WITNESS IGNORES AND DEFIES A SUBPENA. Matron McDonald Not Permitted to Tell All She Knows, While the Warden's Story Is Uninterrupted. Oakland Office San Francisco Call, 908 Broadway, July 1. The fate of William J. Keating, warden of the insane at •the Receiving Hospital. whose conduct and participation in a fistic encounter with Isaac Barnett over latter's young daughter has been under investigation, will probably be determined by the Board of Supervisors next Wednesday morning. Keating's trial before the Supervisors this morning proved a decided farce. Hart North, the man who fathered Keating's appointment, appeared as a prominent listener and the defense was conducted by Attorneys George Reed and Fred C. Clift. District Attorney Allen questioned the witnesses for the board. The trial had been set to commence at 2 o'clock, at the request of Supervisor Church, who, however, did not put in an appearance until 3 o'clock, and after Dr. C. L. Tisdale. had given testimony. Supervisor Wells had previously opposed proceeding in the absence of Supervisor Church and owing to the absence also of Miss Kitty Welch, who was considered a formidable witness against Keating. "This affair is a rank farce.' said Mr. Wells. "I came to attend a full board. am surprised, too, to learn that this Miss Welch can't be found. At any rate, I am quite ready to vote in this matter without further testimony.' Then followed talk of whitewash, postponement and partiality. The first important witness was Miss Selma Barnett, the 19-year-old daughter of Isaac Barnett of 410 Fifth street, whose keeping company with Keating had induced her father to visit the hospital one night three weeks ago and attempt to thrash the warden. Witness gave her age as 19 years, and the gist of her story was that there had been nothing improper between the warden and herself. She said "the row arose over the fact that her father didn't want me to go with Mr. Keating.' She denied ever having called at the hospital after 9 o'clock. of evenings or that she was ever in Keating's room in his company with the door locked. She claimed she went there frequently to visit a feeble-minded girl and secure magazines and papers from the warden. She admitted having met Keating at street corners and that he presented bouquets to her. Her testimony: was also favorable to Keating. Isaac Barnett, the young lady's father, was next called and reiterated. his story of the fight on the hospital lawn; how he had warned his daughter not. to keep company with and meet Keating. also warned Keating," continued Barnett, "and when I learned it was being unheeded I called at the hospital and demanded an interview with this man. He told me he didn't have time--not even three minutes. Then I told him he would soon walk the streets, for I would tell the Supervisors. Then he called me a 'Sheeney' and said I couldn't do anything. I had nothing against Keating personally, only I believed he was too intimate with my daughter." Barnett denied. a statement made by Keating in print that the girl came to the warden to seek sympathy because she was treated cruelly by her father. Mrs. : J. Dolan corroborated Bar. nett's latter denial, and Drs. Stratton and Sanborn testified that they had never seen anything Improper at the hospital or In Keating's conduct. Sheriff Rogers was next called to tell how he had been frustrated in supenaeing Kitty Welch. When he called at the Welch residence the girl had locked the door and concealed herself. Later her father, Dennis Welch, also testified that his daughter denied the published statement wherein she is said to have declared that Keating acted improperly with her on a certain Occasion. Welch said, too. that he would not allow his daughter to attend as a witness. The star witness of the investigation was next called in-Miss: Hattle McDonald. matron at the hospital. She told of having frequently Selma Barnett and Keating together in latter's room. Witness also described the fight between Barnett and the warden. A question as to. whether she had ever seen anything in Keating unbecoming a gentleman was out. ous complaints to her women paMatron McDonald. next told, of numertients who claimed Keating had insulted them. "One of these.' said the matron, *was Mrs. Mary Leach, held for insane. She told me Keating had insulted her and that she had ordered him out of her room, telling him she was married woman. Mrs. Leach was not committed to an asylum.' Supervisor Church now took witness in hand and for a she was virtually bulldozed and it appeared as though she, and not Keating. under investigation. Witness admitted she was unfriendly with Keating because of numerous misunderstandings. She was cut short when she attempted to relate what Miss Kitty Welch had told her about Keating's conduct to her. Steward Borchert of the hospital testified that the whole trouble was brought •about owing to Barnett's visit to the hospital. He S said that the other members of the family frequently called there to use the telephone. Isaac Barnett Jr. was the next witness. corroborating his father's story. When asked by Supervisor Mitchell as to the objection against Keating and his sister keeping company, witness replied: *Owing to nationality--that of Jew and Gentile. "Gentiles do not frequently marry Jews.' Warden Keating was next put the rack. He vigorously declared that the relations between himself and Miss Barnett had been purely those of friendship. He testified that on the night of his encounter with Barnett the latter had accused him of having ruined his daughter; that Barnett called him vile names and struck him; that after the row the girl came to him at the hospital again, but he had advised her to go home. *As to the Kitty Welch affair." continued Keating. "she was attending her mother at the hospital. One e day I met her in the sinkroom and she was cracking ice. She told me her lips were sore and jokingly I suggested that some girls use 'two-lip' salve.' Witness admitted he had put his foot against the door and said, "All who pass here must pay toll." but said that he was "joshing.' Warden Keating was permitted to tell his story without an interruption save .one. and when that was made Supervisor Church noted that "it came from the other. side of the house." Supervisor Roeth took exception to the remark, declaring there were no two sides to this investigation. Both he and Mr. Wells expressed their readiness to submit the fate of Keating to a vote. but on motion of Supervisor Talcott, "the whole matter was taken under consideration until next Wednesday morning.' Friends of the warden are working tooth and natl to insure his retention. and it is believed now that Keating is almost certain the votes of Talcott, Mitchell and Church. Gilligan's Trial Very Slow. sent out cleaning the streets. Ail Went Over the Grade. OAKLAND. July 1.-The trial of James Gilligan for the murder of John Epperson at the Emeryville racetrack last March is marked by slow progress. The various narratives given by the witnesses thus far are exceedingly hazy as to how Gilligan struck his victim the fatal blow with the knife. Henry J. Dwyer, Thomas J. Hansen, Henry H. Pierce and J. J. Kenny testified to-day, but failed to throw much light L. on the tragedy. Owing to the absence of another important witness the case went over until next Wednesday. Three Rectors Have Resigned. OAKLAND. July 1.- -Three of the five Episcopal rectors of this city have handed in their resignations. Rev. V. Marshall Law is the first on the list. though his departure is not entirely voluntary. Rev. Mynard of St. John's parish has also resigned to accept a call to Hanford. and finally Rev. James Hulme of St. Andrew's parish, West Oakland, has resigned. to take effect to-day. He has received an appointment from the Bishop of the diocese and will enter on his new duties at once. Money Now in Sight.' OAKLAND. July 1.-The new fiscal year opened to-day, and the Mayor and Auditor Breed discussed the city's financial condition. An inspection of the funds and delinquencies showed that all outstanding bills against the city can be paid, although some amounts will have to held for months. The full force of street sprinklers was put to work to-day, and other gangs were OAKLAND, July 1.-Four horses: a big wagon and five tons of peaches went over a steep grade on the Fish ranch road this morning, and the whole outfit rolled for 150 feet.' J. D. Cuthill. the driver, jumped from the runaway team and escaped with a few severe. bruises. The horses were badly skinned, but none were killed or seriously hurt. The brake broke on the steepest part of road and the wagon pressed on the wheelhorses, causing them to break away. A Razor After the Ball. OAKLAND, July 1.-A warrant was issued to-day Police Court for the arrest of C. Alexander, a colored man, on a charge of assault with a deadly weapon. His dusky accuser is Miss Hattie Dove, who states that while she leaving a dance hall with her escort Alexander, evidently jealous, struck then wielded a razor in : a most threatening manner.
