The morning call., 1893-08-04
Southern Pacific Guards
Withdrawn.
c. r. OVERHOLTZER'S PLANT
The Opposition Steamer Alvira.
BOrax King Smith a Silent
Man-Was 1t Arson?

Now, this barge had shanty on board.
In which il housed its minions armed 10
the teeth. 1t moored its floating fortress to
piles driven across the pathway Of vessels.
using great strong chains, which only a
locomotive might rend.
In the shanty on the barge it housed its
men, and for the past fourteen months un-
Ill yesterday has kept five of them con-
stantly on watch under command Of a
Captain Woolsey.
People have often wondered what those
men were there for. They might have
been seen lounging about at ali hours
doing othing but eating. sleeping. watch
ing and drawing good stipend from the
railroad company-when the paycar ar
rived.
Yesterday. however. there was change.
The men packed their blankets and wear
ing apparel and evacuated. They vanished
in the fog. They were called away and
the big barge and its unsightly shanty is
left alone.
II is also reported that the company has
abandoned like holdings at the foot OF
Washington street.
Now people are asking, What is the
meaning of these moves? Has the big
monopoly been able at last to decipher the
handwriting on the wall?
Too Gay for Overholtzer.
C. r. Overholtzer, a bookkeeper for
Field & Stone of 12S California street, San
Francisco, for the past twenty years, Is a
very unhappy man. He was married in
1885, and states in his petition for divorce.
which action is now on in the Superior
Court, that his marital partner has led him
very merry life for the past four years.
She has been an eztravagant dresser, he
says, went out on the streets when She
should have been at home, and, finally. in
desperation, he took up his abode in Oak
land. But matters grew worse rather than
better. The wife would absent herself
from the family rooftree witho valid ex-
cnsr, often staying over night. says the
husband. She took trips out of town. too.
once going to Santa Cruz, another time to
Monterey, stating that she was going to
meet female friend named Ada Corliss.
The husband states that the mysterious
Ada was not in Santa Cruz at the time
specified
He says that when he remon strated with
her once in their Oakland home, after she
had been away over night, she slapped his
face. Once in family fight she said to
him: You are beast. and il you are
going to heaven hope may 60 to -"
The husband winds up his complaint
with charging his wife with ufidelity.
Now OverholtZer wantS a separation.
The wife, however. means fight. She
has engaged Henry McPike to fight her
case and wants her husband to pay her
$500 TO defend herself. She also asks for
500 month alimony pending the trial.
She says that her husband gets salary OF
$500 month and also has an income from
his writing.
The literary part of Mr.. Overholtzer's
life is amusing. Once when he was MAX
ing some notes Of his wife's doings she
asked him what he was writing and he
answered:
Writing sensational novel;"
"Will You give me copy when pub
lished ?" asked the wife.
On another occasion when OverholtZer
was writing to friend requesting loan
she asked him what lie was writing and he
answered:
Something that expect will bring me
some money"
T The parties have three children.
The Alvira.
The new steamer secured by the Davie
Ferry Company is now lying at Davies
Harrson-street wharf and under the direc-
ton of Mr.. Ebert is undergoing complete
change. There are twenty men at work
with hammers. nails and saws under Fore
man J. McGrath. and that gentleman says
that in less than three weeks time the
Alvira will be almost new boat. She is
big sternwheeler. and when changed as
contemplated will be capable of carrying
1000 passengers with ease. Windows are
being put In the lower deck. and this part
of the boat will be given over to the
also be ladies' saloon on the lower deck
for the accomm odation of those ladies who
do not care to climb the stairs.
On the upper deck the little cabin de-
voted to the officers quarters ard the
pilot-house have been removed. and the
entire upper deck will be turned in cabin
excepting broad promenade on the out
side. There will be double smokestacks
instead of single as now. and between
these above the cabin will be placed a
texas. where will be the officers rooms
and pilot-house.
The AIvira will be finished first class In
every particular.
The King Il Here.
The much-talked-of borax king, F. M.
Smith. whose name has been connected
with every real-estate deal. every street
railroad and every ferry system talked of
in Oakland recently. and also connected in
a desultoryIfas hion with various transcon-
tmental railroads. is in town. He arrived
from New York oy the overland train yes
terday and was met at the Sixteenth-street
depot by a host of inQuisltiye newspaper
msn who were anxious for an interview.
Each man got his interview. but it
| seemed JDat VII tHO Spou-loohiuk SCDSlC-
man in gray, with the bronze complexion
and blonde mustache. cot through talking
he had vouchsafed little information.
He discaimed many plans attributed to
him. and said that he contemplated but
few changes at present in street railroads.
When asked. point blank. about the pur-
chase of the Eighth-street line. he said:
Il really have nothing to say about the
matter"
be completed|
II don't know"
"Will work be continued there until the
slim is complete?"
Il dou't know"
"When will the California and Nevada
be extended
II cannot tell you?"
And SO it went, and when the reporter
left he knew just IS much as he did befo re
meeting the king.
Was 1t Arson?
reward of $500 has been offered for
the arrest and conviction of the party or
rarties who set fire to the building on the