The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-12-23
QUEER QUARTERS.
BOOMERS in the New CITY
Hall.
JOHN c. PELTON'S COY HOrlE
How Generous City Officials Provided
for a Whole Family Rendered
Destitute by Misfortune.

For over two months an entire family has
been living in the new City Hall.
The family consists of Professor John c..
PeIton. his wife and two small children, and
they occupy sunny apartments on the Sec
ond floor of the huge building.
No one, not even the Police Department,
knew anything of the new roOmers until
they were accidentally discovered few
days ago. In rather peculiar manner Po-
liceman John Duane was made painfully
aware of the fact that there WAS some one
about the corridors In the City Hall avenue
wing of the building one night
Policeman Duane is not at all supersti-
tious, but Desk Officer Harold had Just re-
lated a weird tale OF "Giles' Ghost" which
phantom he asserted had terrOrized half a
| county in old Ireland, when he started to
make his usual round of the City Hall.
Duane c0nscientiously tried the doors of
the treasury department and then wandered
toward the scene of his fright He entered
the City Hall avenue wing and was thought
fully pacing the corridor when he heard the
wall OF child. repeated at intervals. near
the end of the nall.
Duane advanced and met with an expert
ence which will remain indelibly stamped
upon his memory for some time to come.
As the officer approached the room for
merly occupied by the Seventeenth-street
cXLcDSlOu CUuluillCt lic WAS
startled by seeing phant0m-llke form
standing directly ia front OF him.
1t was woman's figure, dressed entirely
in long. white, flowing robes, and it gently
glided along the corridor.
who's there?" asked Duane, in quav-
ering voice, as he recOllected Harolds
weird tale and how he had scoffed at it.
Instead Of replying the phantom-like ap-
partition noiselessly glided along the cor
ridor until 1t reached the doorway leading
into the room a. the end of the corridor
when il disappeared and closed the door.
In company with another officer Duane
Investigated the cause of bis fright, aud
soon learned that contrary TO his eXpecta-
tions. the room which had formerly been
occupied by the Seyenteenth-street extern
sion commission was inhabited by whole
family of ordinary mortals.
The rooms, which are situated on the end
OF the corridor In the City Hall avenue
wing, are among the most pleasant In the
building.
The quarters. which consist OF three ado
lining rooms, were occupied by the Commits
sioners until about four months ago, when
the commission completed its labors and
went out of existence.
The rooms remained empty until two
months ago, when the Peltons took posses
sion.
The family consists of four, and includes
Professor PeltOp, his wife and two little
girls, aged and years, respectively.
Until two months ago they resided al their
happy liale home at 228 Fulton street, when
misfortune overlook them.
Suddenly one night the place was discov-
cred to be on fire. The entire rear of the
building was destroyed and Professor Pei
ton lost much Of his property, consisting OF
furniture and a valuable library, which it
had taken years Of labor to collect.
The following morning the family found
themselves destitute and without a home
and finally Rnn1pallli n mil 70 fr;a Il,
for aid, with the result that they were given
a home al the new City Hall.
When CALL reporter visited the strange
habltation yesterday afternoon be was cor
daily received by Mrs. Pelton.
The family occupy all three rooms en-
suite, which open out in the courtyard be-
low.
The first room to the right Of the entrance
serves as kitchen and dining-ToOm and is
divided from the main room which is used
as library by coiOred portisre.
Ii is in this latter room that the family
spends most of its time, while TO the left is
door leading into the sleeping apartment.
The stting-Toom Is neatly furnished, and
was scrupulously clean. The furniture con-
sists OF number of chairs and bookcases.
the shelves OF which were lined with books
and periodicals. and the windows were
tastefully draped with curtains.
On a table In corner stood typewriter
which is operated by Mrs. Pelton when she
assists her husband, who is literary man.
Inc bedroom 10 the left was plainly but
the floor, and two folding beds placed
against the wall and some chairs completed
the outfit.
When reporter entered coal fire was
burning IN the open CRATE, and the children
prattled msrrily while Mrs. Pelion told her
story.
After stating that Professor Pelton was
absent, having gene TO Reddlng TO attend
the educational convention being held there
she continued:
"As my husband is away. / will tell you
the story Of our troubles, and how we came
TO take up our abode here"
MI. Pelton has for some years been en-
gagged In writing a book and about two
weeks ago completed his labors.
The book IS TO be entitled "Sunbeams
and Shadows" and is now in press.
Everything progressed nicely" said Mrs.
PeltoD. until our little home burned down
two months ago. when We were left entirely
without means.
MY husband was intimately aequain ted
with Mayor Sanderson and Auditor Smiley
and requested them TO permit him 10 use
the rooms We are now living i'm owing to
their proximity TO the Public Library. The
requested permission was granted and
since that time we have been living her.
In the msantme the book has been CON-
pleted ana VIII shortly APPEAR for sale.
Mrs PeltOn did not deny that the gas and
fuel used by the family were furnished by
the city al the expense of the taxpayers. but
claims that IL Is done with the knowledge of
the city's chief executive aud Auditor
Smiley.
AS Mayor Sanderson is confined 10 his
home by illness he could not be seen yester-
day. Auditor L. j. l.. Smiley, however.
was found at his Office.
The Auditor appeared much annoyed that
the matter should have gained publicity.
He said that he had granted Mr.. Pelton
permission to occupy the rooms as a study
| only. and had no idea that the whole fam
lily had since taken up their abode there 4
the city's expense.
The Auditor stated emphatcally that he
did not wish the public to think that the
new City Hall had been turned into a
lodging house with his consent, but that for
cbarity's sake he was not inclined to inter.
fere al present.