The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-02-14
The EVERGREEN HOME.
Peculiar Relations Concerning the Manage
ment Of the Institution.

SAN JOSE Feb. 13.-The investigation Of the
Woman's Relief Home and the humorous meth
ods Of It's martinez Matron was resumed to-day.
There was a warllke spirit percepIible In the
otherwise quiet air, and only the gentle waving
TO and fro OF General Sheehan's olive branch pre-
an internecine conflict. The spirit OF the lnYes-
tigatiug Committee was displayed In antagonism
toward the witnesses and in little "tiffs" between
each other.
Samuel McPheelers, an ex-choreman OF the
home, testified that he thought too much re-
strant was placed upon the ladies there.
THE MASKING CHOREMAN,
One day he was watering horse and a couple
of the old ladies came up where he was aud Mrs.
Shay came TOO and said This wont do"
II thought" continued the witness "that this
was too much. was not saying anything to the
women. l think they might be allowed little
liberty"
Mr.. Wharf-You wanted to make mash on
them, did you?
Witness-No suppose not You are an old
fellow yourself. You know how those things go.
[Laughter,l
WharfT-I wont ask you any more questions
There was an old woman at the home" said
the witness, "who l suppose. was rather IN
clean, and Mrs. Shay threatened 10 turn the
hose on her. but l don't believe that this was
ever done"
Mrs. Gillingham-Is there anything else that
you know?
Witness-No; / was there only for a short
time.
Mrs. Gillingham-So are we here only for a
short time. We don't require anything further
from you.
The witness, who was an old man, was rather
deaf and did not bulge.
Mrs. Dillingham; (louder)-We would like to
have that chair II you Will be kind enough to
let go.
Wltness-oh, all right I'll vacate.
FAT AND BEAUTIFUL.
There was much Partially shown among the
inmates One OF the old ladies was a particular
favOrte OF Mrs. Shay because she rubbed The
matTGn down from head to foot every day with
codliver oil In order that she might get fat and
beautiful. Mrs. Shay always had the best meat
and other eatables placed on her table. The
matrOn also had her coffee especially prepared
In a French coffee-pOt. Mrs. LindermAn was
expelled from the home because, as she claimed,
she refused 10 give up her pension TO the home.
Mrs. Linderman was entirely destitute at the
time, and she got on her knees and begged Mrs
Shay not to dismiss her, promising to give up
anything and everything and never disObty an
other rule, II she was not turned out into the
world without money or place to 60. Mrs.
Shay was relentless, however, and Mrs. Linder-
man was turned ont
Mrs. Josephine Jones testified that she ad
been on the Board Of Directors In 1890. The
mstrOn was found 10 be below the necessary
standard. The meal was found 10 be tough, the
bread sour, and besides, there was great waste
OF provisions. A lady from Oakland went TO the
home TO put the matron through eourss OF
sprouts; the coaching, however, was OF no avail,
as the matrOn did not Improve. Mrs. Watkins,
n member OF the board. had said TO the Witness
that the old ladies were now too old to tell the
truth.
SHE ACKNOWLEDGED THE BEER.
Mrs. Shay acknowledged the ownership 10
case OF beer found ut the home. The COOK was
given TO taking too much beer, and on one oc-
CASTOR upset wagon aud injured Mrs. Rafferty,.
The witness said that Mrs. shay was not truth
full because she had told that Mrs. 0'Brien was
living With 2 man 10 whom she was not married.
The witness had seen Mrs. OBren's marriage
certificate. Again, the matron had called Mrs.
Humphrey a morphine tend, while TWO repu-
table physicians declared that she was not. The
matron's language TO the inmates was most dis
respectful and cruel 10 the old ladies. Mrs. But
Ter had been repeatedly called squaw.
The witness said that row once arose be-
ween Mrs Rafferty, and Mrs. Malley, aud the
matron refused TO part them because she was no
policeman.
THE COOK NEEDED BI-CHLoRIDE.
Mrs Eliza Smith, who had been member OF
the Visiting Committee took the stand and gave
some evidence regarding the sickness OF some OF
the inmates The cook after The wagon mshap
was drunk, exceedingly DoiSterous and unable
the next day TO get breakfast or prepare the
other meals
the statement was also made that Mrs. Shay
went out riding with the hired man. There was
a bath-tub which no one could use except the
matron and hired man. The matrOn ate porter
house steaks and remnants were worked no into
food for the old ladies'
Mrs. Holconb, a member OF the Supplies Com
mittee. testified that she heard that two hogs
that had been killed at the home had been al
lowed to rot, and that Mrs. Vestai said the home
was mighty poor place TO 60 TO heaven from.
Mrs. JOslyn, former inmate, testified that
Mrs. Rafferty, was once going 10 strike the