The morning call., 1894-05-05
A FIENDISH DEED.
Rat Poison Put in the
Sugar-BoWl.
FAMILY'S NARROW ESCAPE
Students Confirmed by the
Archbishop.
oAKLAND'S OWNER IN COURT.
An Inventory and Appraisenlent OF
the McKusick Estate Has
Been Filed.
oAKLAND's OWNER IN COURT.

milk ranch kept by man named McLei-
Ian. In the family is mother, father. sev-
eral children and some male help. among
the latter being boy known as Joe. The
latter has been ia the family long time,
the family having taken him in anG given
him home for his work. He was some
times known as Joe Mcclellan, but this
was not his true name.
Joe is 16 years of age, and was repri-
manded a few days ago by Mr.. Mcclellan
for some of his boyish tricks and short
comings. He grew morOse and began
thinking he had been abused and deter
mined on revenge, and his revenge came
near being a most desperate one.
He purchased box of rat poison during
one of his trips to town and watched his
opportunity to use it, and a proper chance
not showing Itself. he slipped into the kitchen
few evenings since when the lest OF the family
were in another part of the house and empfied
the contents of the poison box into the sugar
bowl and thoroughly mixed the deathly drug
with the sugar.
The next morning at breakfast six persons
sat down 10 table, including the head Of the
family and Mrs. Mcclellan. Joe was not at
table but his absence was not noticed specially.
Coffee was served and the sugar passed. MIS-.
Mcclellan was the first TO feel the effects OF the
poison. AS soon as she swallowed ner coffee
she made complaint OF burning sensation IN
the stomach. She was taken from the table
deathy sick. Others of the family were treated
in a like manner, and when Mr.. Mcclellan
tasted his coffee he noticed the bitter taste and
Spal his mOuthful out.
His suspicious were aroused and he then no.
ticed the absence OF the boy aud remembered
his sullenness for several days past He hunted
him up anu accused him of having put some
thing in the coffee. Then Joe confessed that
he was guilty and that he had put box OF rat
poison in the sugar bowl. The fact that the en-
tire lot of poison was used is what saved the
lives of the family. Had the young villain used
but half the amount OF poison all VINO partook
of the coffee would have died.
The boy had hidden IN the barn after dosing
the sugar, through fear.
When IL was learned what the trouble was,
antidotes we're hastily administered to the half
dead family, and luckily ali survived.
The affair was reported to Sheriff McKillican,
but as IL happened in Contra Costa County lie
stated that the boy will have 10 be dealt with
there. Accordingly Joe was arrested and is
now confined In the Contra Costa County jail al
Martinez.
AT the Archbishop's Hands.
The feast of Blessed de la Sale. the founder
OF the teaching order Of Christian Brothers,
was celebrated with elaborate services al ST.
Mary's College yesterday.
A solemn high mass was sung, the celebrant
of which was Rev. Father Dempsey. AT the
conclusion OF the mass Archbishop RiorGan de-
livered an able sermon on the hardships TO
which the early Christians were subjected.
Confirmation was then administered TO the
following students Of ST. Mary's College and
St Joseph's Academy in the presence of all the
student body: 81. Mary's-George Hayward,
Albert Audefred. Fred Merchant, Everett Ed
ward Jamss Hannitin, John Young. August
Fischer. John McHugb, Hugh n. j. Cameron,
Alfred Merle, Joseph George Olney. William
NJ. Mcdonald, William Dunno. Henry Vasche.
Harry S. HUFF. ". Fl: Laughlin, Thomas Ii.
Donovan, F. Fl. Richardson; ST. Josephs
Academy Augustus j. Won BOrstel. Henry f.
Won Borslel, Henry j. Encn, Percy j. FitZger-
ale. Jose L. AsensiO, CASTOR j. LIE Brun, John
j. Flanagan, John S. Kane, Daniel T. Cronin,
Thomas Il. j. Bowie, Albert A. Henno, Henry
j. Byrne
Oakland's Owner.
A wild.lookiug and swarthy native Of Chile
was In tue Police Court yesterday on charge
of vagrancy. His long black hair and squat
figure gave him the appearance of anything
but human being. He has been hanging
about the water front for several weeks. and
when questioned gave the name of Charles
Bears.
he was examined through an Interpreter
named Green, an Irishman, who testified he
could not read or write, yet who speaks seven
different languages.
Bears was asked If be would leave town If he
was released. He answered with surprise:
me leave Town? What do want TO leave
town for?" Then he added quickly: 81 own
Oakland. and If they pul me out shall go back
10 Chile and return at the head of an army"
The man was evidently crazy and was held
for examination by the Lunacy Commission.
Successful candidates.
The City Board of Examiners have recon-
mended to the Board of Education the follow
ing applicants as havi G successfully passed
their examinations: For grammar grade cer-
tifcates-Isabele L. Hunt, Edith Sprague
Amos c. Olmstead. For primary grade-SuSie
Embank.
The following recommendations were also
made:
Grammar grade certificate on Alameda
County certificate and examination in drawing,
TO Eliza Detn SHPareT
Oakland grammar grade certificate, upon
county certificate. to Alice NJ. Dunn.
Grammar grade certificate, upon life diploma,
to Mrs. L. NJ. Thomas.
Certificates renewed: Grammar grade. a. E.
F. Beekwith; high school certificate. Elsie Lee;
Oakland city certificate. Jennie c. Allen.
Special high school certificate TO reach Eng.
lsh literature and history, TO Carolins Cushing,
upnn University diplomas ana recommendation
Ofithe faculty.
Special free hand certificate upon eXamiDa.
tIon, to Lottie Fl. Colby.
POulson's VIII.
Judge Gibson, DIR. Poulson's attorney re-
ceved letter from Mrs POusoB, dated
Council Bluffs. yesterday. Mrs. PouIson an
nounced ther in that she had abandoned all
hope OF discovering will of the Doctors at
Council Bluffs, and further stated that if there
were any viii in existence IL must be at the
FruiIvale Sanltarium.
Iris place has been thoroughly searched and
no will has been found 1t has also been dis
covered that no such document Is in h- safety
depository OF he Oakland Bank of Savings as
has been suggested. because DR.. Poulson sur
rendered his box in the depository and took
away the contents at he time Of his leaving
Oakland.
The McKusick Estate.
An inventory and appraisment OF the estate
of Harrison J. McKuslck deceased, was filed
yesterday by Grant l. Taggart, James Palache
and John Ballard The estate is valued at
S19833. Tie following items appeared among
the assets: Life insurance in New YOrs Mn
tua $4,000; balance due on promissory note
of $3.50, executed by n. w. Spaulding, With
A. Dobe as security, uote miSlaid SS0S; claims
OF doubtful value against James Coev, $500;
W. Z. LOvett. S150; 1900 shares of stock in
the Numa mine. of no value. aud real estate
and Improvements valued at $500.
They We're Burned Out.
The Ladies Relief Society OF Oakland has
held its annual meeting at Temescal. Reports
were read showing that S14.295 ~ had been
expended during the year out of S15,69S O6 in
receipts. The average monthly expenses were
S1200.
Officers, managers and directors were elected,
but only one change was made, Miss Miner
will be treasurer instead of Mrs. jeanette.
The burning of The Children's Home this
week was encouragement 10 these charitable
ladies. One hundred bedsteads were lost by
the fire, b sides many other household articles.