davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The morning call., 1894-03-14
A BAD EXPLOSION.
c. S. Phelan May Lose
His Eyesight.
FIRE ON MISSION STREET.
1t Mysteriously Started in a
PaintshOp.
QUEER CONDUCT OF THE OWNER.
He Runs Out of His Shop His Clothes
Aflame, but Seeks to Escape
the Police.

Charles S. Phelan may die as the result
of injuries received in an explosion and
fire which took place at 2117 Mission street
yesterday morning at As O'Clock. If he
should recover he would IN all probability
be blind. and if the suspicious of the police
are we'll founded he may have to stand
trial on charge Of arson. The explosion
took place in his pantshop. The building
was practically destroyed by fire and the
adjacent houses were damaged.
The most graphic description of the ex.
plosion is told by Sergeant Shea of the
Seventeenth-street station: II was walk
ing down Mission street and had reached
the corner Of Seventeenth" said the SER
The morning call., 1894-03-14
AMATEUR ATHLETES.
Sports That Will Be Held at Recrea-
ton Park


The athletic auxiliary of the NJ dwInter Fair
convened last evening at the Olympic Club with
William Greer Harrison 10 the chair.
On saturday. the 18th inst, the Santa Clara
and Stanford College baseball teams will meet
at u NJ Recreation Park, and on Sunday
the Alameda and Olympic club teams Will play
their first game on the same grounds
Besides the Gaelic athletic sports which will
be held on Saturday afternoon there Will be two
games OF q ellc football at Recreation Park
On the 21st The wheelmen will hold their first
meeting.
April will be Canadian day. The athletic
events will consist of association fooI ball games
and lacrosse match between local teams
Mr.. Wetm0re who represents the wheeImen
In The convention, stated that Johnson Bliss
Dlrnberger ana Taylor Will positively be here
In time 10 compete in the big race meets. The
California Division League of American Wheel
men will hold its big meeting on May %.
Ii has been decided finally that the Rugby
football games between the Portland British
Columbia and SIN Francisco teams will be
played ON March %. % aud "a. The Portland
team viii be first 10 arrive from the north Il
Will be followed by the British Columbian
players.
The Bohemian Cricket Club viii be strength
ened by IhIee San Jose players, namely: Gard
ner, Weaver and Jardne.
1t has also been decided that Orr the famous
Rugby football player, Will captain the Rugby
team that is 10 play against the invaders from
the north.
Peter Mcintyre stated last evening that the
Recreation Park track VIII be In good condI-
cling he ground is now in the course of cree
ton. The fair committee has promised to have
large force OF guards on The grounds 10 pre-
serve order while the games are in progress
Ben Saylor VIII give an exhibition of billiards
at the Olympic Club on the evenings of the l4th
and 18th insts.
The morning call., 1894-03-14
OAKLAND LEADS THE WAY.
Her Finest" Are Being Drilled
in Athletics.
CAPTAIN LEES AN ENTHUSIAST.
Says the Department Is Sadly in
Want of an Athletic Institution
for the Men.

The average San Franciscan prides him.
self on not being an Oak!ander with
much the same ardor as the Gothamite
boasts of not living in Brooklyn. but now
and again the suburb across the bay gives
the metropolis points ON how to do GER
tain things in which the metropolis
should be most proficient Just now Oak
land has shown herself ahead of San
Francisco by taking hold of her police
department and putting 1t through a
course of gymnastics whereby consider
able amount of the adipose tissue which
used to be, as it is here. prominent char
acteristic of the ''fnest," threatens to be
worn off.
The officers in fact are being quietly en-
couraged TO join the athletic organizations
and also to perfect themselves in calls
themes and manual exercise. This course
has been followed for years by Eastern
cities. but so far San Francisco has taken
no steps In that direction. The result has
been an alarming number OF shootings
and clubbings by policemen who il they
had any training in athletics could either
have run down the man they found them
selves obliged to shoot. or by proper dis
play of pugilism reduce the maleiactor
whom they had TO club to point of SUBJ
mission. Instances are on record, too. of
where policemen have had their clubs
taken from them and drubSing admins
tered In which the offender was the
drubber and the officer the drubbee.
Any one who strolls into the new City
Hall about the noon hour can readily see
how much a course of gymnastics would
benefit the greater part OF the patrolmen.
They have hardly practiced the goose
stem for few seconds before they are
putting and blowing and wiping their
manly brOws with red bandanas. for the
The morning call., 1894-03-14

light and there would naturally follow an
explosion. But any one in the habit of
using DenZine should have known better
than to have naked light in proximity to
1t In the manner indicated.
Then, there is Phelan'S refusal 10 tell
his name to Sergeant Shea after he had
seen him running ont of the building and
had chased aud captured him and his re-
mark not to disgrace him. Then again at
The Seventeentb-street station he refused
to divulge his name. but begged to be
taken to the Receiving Hospital.
What could be his motive in setting fire
to the place? There could be only one and
that is his stock being overn sured. Of
that have no proof so far. He was in
surtd for $780, and 1 have heard that his
stock exceeded that amount In value; and
again have heard that it was consider
ably less.
80, you see. there is nothing definite to
show whether the fire was purely acciden-
lal or OF incend airy origin
Dhelan, who is about % years OF age.
lived at home with his parents on Clara
street.
The morning call., 1894-03-14
DEATH OF s. ]. FARRELL.
A Reflect OF the Old Workingmen's
PARTY Passes Away

Deputy Clerk OF the Justices Court Simon j.
Farrell died yesterday morning at his residence.
2546 Folsom street, from an attack OF pneU-
monia. He had only been confined TO bis d
i've days when he passed away. The deceased
was 40 years OF age and leaves widow and
three children. Farrell first entered politics in
1879, when the Norkingmen's party was or
canned and was an active Lieutenant of John T.
Dunn. DE was member OF the famous Consli-
tuilonal Convention. Subsequently he returned
TO the ranks OF the Democratic party Under
She rim Connolly he served as deputy for two
years. Subsequ ntly he was assistant cashier
under Tax Collector krelDg During the last
SIX years he has been a deputy clerk in the
justices Court under Chief Clerks Wilson Cor
don and Williams. always dlscharging his duties
in an efficient manner.
The morning call., 1894-03-14
THEY ARE IMPOSTORS.
The Russians From Minneapolis
fiave Ample Means.

No small stir was created In Hebrew circles
by The CALLS expose of the true character OF
the seventeen Russians who were uomiclled in
the hospital OF The City Prison Saturday night.
The mendlcants are still in the prison, but they
VIII go out to-day and will be warned not TO re-
turn.
A prominent member of the Eureka Benevo-
lent Society, which is COMPOSED OF Hebrews,
determined 10 learn for himself whether the
people ID the prison wer- worthy of assistance
or not. He accordingly telegraphed to the
president OF Hebrew congregation concerning
tnem. Inc reply came yesterday. i reads
II he Flscbers and LiedermannS are impOstors.
They have ample means"
Nothing is known about the Kaiochsteius
and the Nadlers. who came o the city with the
Lledermanns. Fischer and his companion will
ask the Mayor to-day for permission TO pedde
Without licenses.
The morning call., 1894-03-14
IRELAND'S DAY.
Committees Meet With
Great Success.
MONEY GENEROUSLY GIVEN.
Final Meeting of the General
Organization.
MONEY GENEROUSLY GIVEN.
GREATPRoCEssIoN GUARANTEED
Arrangements Almost Completed for
Erin's Grand Celebration to
Her Patron Saint.

EEnthusiasm marked the final meeting
last nigh of the general ST. Patrick's day
celebration committee, and the room in
the Flood building was crowded with
patriotic men eager to DO proper honor to
Erin's great day. The reports of the vari-
Gus committees all dwelt on the singular
success met with, and some Of the commit.
teemen could not refrain from commenting
at length on the more than usually strong
desire on the part of their countrymen to
make the event a credit to all concerned.
Indeed. in the words of T. r. Banner
man. There never was such an eagerness
and generosity met with before"
r. j. Tobin presided. j. c. Nealon,
chairman of the finance committee. re-
ported that their efforts had met with great
results. All the necessary funds. he said,
would be forthcoming. So far $500 had
been subscribed, and there was no doubt
that, so far as the financial part is con-
The morning call., 1894-03-14
KIDNEYS BULLDOG.
"Chaw" Casey Takes 1t and Trains
1t for a PriZefiqht.

John Kidney. Seventh and Brannan streets,
owns splendid specimen OF the British bull
dog. About two weeks ago IL disappeared and
since then Kidney ana bis friends Kept up dill
gent search for il. On Monday Kidney aseer-
tanned that his bulldog had been taken by
"Chaw" Casey, who had been training it In the
cellar of MeCaIthy's saloon, 1859 Mission
street, for priZehght with another bulldog.
He procured a search warrant Yesterday
ReardOD, went TO McCarthy's cellar, and was
oyerjoyed to find his pet Tie Joy seemed 10 he
mu ual, as the dog jumped on him. lick ed bis
was finely trained, not an ounce OF superfiuous
flesh being upon his body. The dog was tax en-
10 the City Prison ana locked up in cell till
Inc question Of ownership Is decided by the
Judge.
The morning call., 1894-03-14
THEY WANT TO Go, HOME.
Chinese Felons Anxious to Get Out
of the Country.

Woo Quong, a Chinese highlander, who
served long term In San QurnIin for assault
to murder. was before Judge Morrow yester.
day for deportation under the felony clause of
the McCreary act. He not Only pleaded guilty,
but eagerly became witness against himself
and testified that he wanted TO 90 home to
China and stay there. He was ordered deported
on the Gaelic, which sails the first of next
week.
Woo went back to the County Jail rejoicing
and when he reached the county bastile told
TWO Chinese who were awaiting lrla under the
felony clause OF his sentence. The two ex-
conVlcts at once sent for an attorney and beg
ged him TO have them brought into court at
once in order that they might plead guilty to
being felons within The meaning OF the law and
60 home with Woo.
"Gaelic heap good ship. We want to go to
China quick. We want to go with Woo We
both guilty, heap guilty, higbbinders. any
tning. You get us sent home quick, eh ?" was
the way they addressed the attorney, and he
promised 10 have hem deported at once
The morning call., 1894-03-14
'unwonted exerlion brings out the sweat 10
prodigious quantities.

unwonted exerion brings out the sweat 10
prodigious quantities.
Chief Crowley is an ardent supporter of
the proposition to provide a gymnasium
and assembly-room for the police force.
Almost every annual report contains a
reference to the matter and suggests the
advsabilty Of such an institution. Time
and again the matter has been agitated by
the press. but it still has attained no tangi-
bic form.
why, it's the very best thing that could
be done to promote the efficiency OF the
force" said Captain Lees yesterday to
reporter of THE CALL. Every recruit
should be made to go through a course of
sprouts in athletics before being regularly
enrolled for duty. 1t is done in all Euro
pean cities and is in vogue in every Eastern
city.
Its effects on the morals of the force
would be in calcu liable. 1t would effectually
stop the shootngs at running offenders
and the clubbings Of unruy prisoners. An
officer who could fight like Corbett would
put man hors de combat before he could
tell what had happened to him. He would
not need to Use his club. One ftp on the
jaw and the prisoner would be brought to
reason. If he had to chase a flying thief
the trained officer would be a Splinter of
the first order, and could run down the
thief without shooting at him with the
chance OF hitting innocent passers-by."
How would you go about such reform
or Improvement"
why. the old City Hall IL properly re-
paired would be the very place for assem-
bly-rooms and gymnasium. Then, when
The morning call., 1894-03-14

Hospital he presented most Ditiable and
horrible sight He was terribly burned
about the body, face and hands. and pieces
of charred flesh dropped off his body and
hands when DR.. Simpson and Steward
Dawson were dressing his burns.
But worst of all, the flames had burned
into his eyes, and the Droba bility is that If
he should recover. which is doubtful, he
will be blind for life.
He tried to give coherent story of how
ne came By his injuries. but his sufferings
were too great. The only thing that
could be made out lntelligibly was that it
was all an accident lighted candle hav-
ing set hre to can of benZne which he
was using 10 mixing paint All yesterday
ne lay In his cot In seml-conScious condi-
tlon, at times feeble moan of pain is
suing from his lips, while nothing could
De seen OF his features for the bandages.
a staiwart policeman sat beside his cot,
owing to the suspicion that the fire was
not the result of an accident. to prevent
MIN escaping, but his presence there in
view of Pheian's terrible condition seemed
q mockery. So thought Fire Marshal
Iowe after visiting the hospital in the
afternoon, ana he communicated with
Chief Crowley to have the officer with
drawn, which was done last evening"
The Fire Marshal, in speaking OF the ire
sad: Il AM not in a position to say
whether the fire was accidental or not
Phelan is spoken well of by his friends
and acquaintance, and from all can hear
he was not a drinking man. But what was
he doing In his paintshop at such an early
hOnr in the morning?
Il hear that he was suffering from a
headache all Monday night He went
downtown about O'Clock to a music-hall,
on Turk AID Market streets, and returned
home about IL o'clock. He found he could
not sleep owing to his headache. and he
thought he would walk to his shop and do
some work at mixing paints, which might
drive his headache away.
"Of course, be might have been mixing
paint and if. as he says, he had lighted
candle on box close to where he was
pouring out benZine, the gas from the
benZine would be attracted by the naked
The morning call., 1894-03-14

class to celebrate he Irish national holi-
day, and their seniors always commence
rate Washington's birthday In a similar
manner.
After an overture by the college or
chestra under Brother HOsea's direction
last event Evans Morgan, bright Junior
class man, delivered clever little address.
He said: in compliance with a time
honored and revered custom we have met
to do honor 70 tbs patron saint of our
ancestors. Owing to circumstances we
have anticipated the precise day of this
feast, but now as then / am sure our
tributes of devotion will be no less accept
able to him, nor will our remem ORANGES be
less dear TO our brethren beyond the seas.
This festival of the 18th of March has
peculiar significance-it is religious and
national. How 10 separate the two in the
Irish race i know not. Throughout the
ages so identified have the Iris people
been in their laws and Gus oms with their
religion, or rather their customs and laws
have been so thoroughly imbued and viyi-
fed bv their religion, they cannot be con-
sidered apart. Priest and poet, peer and
peasant, have stood side by side under the
shadow of the cross. Let us hope that
brighter day is about 10 dawn. Let us
hope that the same kindly light that led
the children of Israel through the barren
wastes of the Eastern deser: Will not be
hidden from a race that has chung to the
right with loyalty no misfortune coui0
dismay, a berOism that commands the
admiration of the world"
The programme was as follows:
Solo and chorus, "Is There No Hope for
Erin ?" f. OConnell sOloist; recitation, "Mem-
orv of the Dead" Thomas Deasy; recitation.
'Irish Hearts and Irish II nds." A. j. Sullivan;
vocal solo, kathleen Mavourneen," j. +. Mon
Afghan; vocal duel. when Night Comes O'er
the Plan," S. Rankin, j. V. Costello. K. t. NAL
Ion: recitation, "ShandOn Bells" Joseph Ken
bricks; vocal. solo, "Pll Take You Home. Kath-
leen," A. j. Curtis; reading in concert. Home.
Sweet Home" fourth collegiate class; vocal
solo, "a Handful of Earth" James O'Dea;
reading, "Mr. Brown Has His Hair Cut" VIII
liam Breen; duet and chorus, "Hiberna's
Champion Saint" choir; vocal solo. "Ihe
Meeting OF the Waters" j. Hendricks; recita-
ton. Hudson, Rhine and shannon" William
2. sullivan; feci alton, "rhe Swell" Francis
T. Kane; vocal solo. 'McNulty's Cafe" s. X.
Ranken; reading, 1.-The Orange and the Green"
c. V. brady; recitation, "Sprig of Green"
James p. Brady; vocal solo, The Irsbman's
Toast.' William p. sullivan; vocal duet, MAS
ter and Pupil" T. O'Connel and j. V. Costello;
Grafton, ISL. Patrick" Arthur j. Curtis; vocal
The morning call., 1894-03-14
MISMATED COUPLES.
One Wife Who Did Not Wait the
Statutory Year.

Judge Slack has granted Margaret Fitzgerald
a divorce from John Fitzgerald on the ground
OF wilfnl deseftion To the wife is awarded
The custody OF the minor children.
The suit OF Annie G. VS.. Edward NJ. Walsh
came up before j Judge Murphy yesterday. The
wife charges her husband with willfnl neglect,
while the husband prays that the divorce be
granted him on the ground of bis wife's in-
fidelity. After hearing testimony Judge Murphy
ordered the case submitted.
The divorce suit OF Maria f. VS.. John w.
Blair was denied by Judge Murphy yesterday
on the ground that as the wife had been but
eleven months In the State the court had no
Jurisdiction to deal with the case.
Complaints for divorce have been filed by
Henrietta against Marks Cru, by May against
Charles II. Eaton and by May I. against Leon
A. MaisOD.
The morning call., 1894-03-14
A UNION SuCCUMBS.
Fruit Growers Left to the Mercy of
IOhherS

After nine years of active operation, the
California Fruit Union Is to wind up its affairs
and cease TO exist. Such was the decision
reached by the directors at a meeting held yes
terday afternoon. Not that the union Is suffer
ing financially. as there Is sufficient on hand to
satisfy all claims. but as result of Irresistible
OBJ ostion encountered on all sides on the part
of fruit 1obbers, whose pecuniary mi rests suf-
fered by its existence.
During its existence the union has carried on
the most extensive operations In the shipment
of fresh fruit to the Eastern markets and their
sale at auction In leading Chicago. New York
and Boston houses. Other large cities through
out the United States have also been in direct
connection with the house at this end. the
main object being 10 take the business away
from the middeman and establish al indepen-
dent exchange.
The morning call., 1894-03-14
AROUND THE BAY.
A Trip for the Benefit of the I'm.
employed.


The relief committee will have hard task TO
raise the $4,000 that it has undertaken TO
canvass for during the next week.
This does not rise from lack of generosity
on the part Of the people of San Francisco. but
rather from an erroneous impression that the
spring has already brought relief to tue army
Of unemployed, whereas the real facts of the
case are that though the number OF applications
for work are diminishing. the men vino have
still been unable TO obtain 1t are as destitute as
ever.
AN excursion around the bay for the benefit
of the relief fund has been offered by Captain
j. g. Parker OF the steam launch Belvedere
The party will start on Wednesday night ieay-
Ing WashingIon-stre wharf al o'clock, and
returning probably about IL 80 p. NJ. Tickets
can be purchased from Treasurer Daniel
Meyer
The following subscriptions were received
y sterday: w. Powell $50; Chamber of Com
merce, sl6o. l. A. F. So; Sperry Flour Com
second subscription. SIS; Health Department,
new City Hall, $50; City and County Attor-
ney's department S25; CustOm-house, Collec-
tors Office, additional, S34 20.
The morning call., 1894-03-14

off duty, the officers could congregate and
there they could be trained. The library
would be rapidly filled with good reading
matter by donations from the public. and
the city could stand the expense of the
rest.
but l can tell you that in appliances
and means for efficiency we are sadly be-
hind Eastern cities. Every station should
have its dormitories where certain number
The morning call., 1894-03-14
THE VETERAN FIREMEN.
They VIII Visit Southern California
in September

At meeting Of the Veteran Flremen's Asso-
citation last evening 1t was decided to make a
visit 10 the southern part OF the State some
lime during the month of September. AT least
175 OF the members will join in the excursion,
which will take In Los Angeles, Pasadena
Santa Barbara and other cities along The line.
Measures we're also taken TO give a picnic at
Shell Mount Park on Bunker, Hill day,
June IL.
Chief sullivan OF the Fire Department pre-
sented the secretary with an elegantly framed
likeness OF ex-Chef Scannell aud the family OF
the late Judge Penney sent large portrait OF
The deceased, both OF whom were members of
the society during their lifetime.
Louis kirkover, an old exempt fireman Of
Buffalo, n. Y, who Is visiting in this civ at
present, addressed the assembly upon his recol-
leetfons OF early days when The equipment con-
sisted OF few Characteristic hand. pumps
bucket, etc.
The morning call., 1894-03-14
Soldiers Dance.

California Garrison of the Army and Nayv
Union entertained its friends last evening In
Social Hall, Alcazar building. The programme
consisted entirely OF dancing, and those who
were In attendance enjoyed themselves hugely.
During the night the ladies of the garrison
provided refreshments for the guests and In
many other ways helped 10 entertain them.
The entertainment was gwen for the purpose
OF adding TO the relief fund Of the organization
and proved quite a financial success
The morning call., 1894-03-14
Reprecincting Finished.

The Election Commissioners yesterday fn-
isbed the reprecinctng of the city, with the
exception Of the Forty-fourlh district. The
Commissioners have Increased the number of
precincts over last year by 3. making a total OF
$780, Ii must be understood that IN repre-
clncting the city no changes have been made in
the lines OF tie Assembly or Senatorial dis
tricts, as these are fixed by the Legislature.
The redistficiing Of precincts is done TO equal
ize the votes as near as possible to the limit of
200. but no change OF districts is made
The morning call., 1894-03-14
COLLEGIANS CELEBRATE.
Sacred Heart Boys Commemorate st.
Pafrick'S Dav.

The junior colegians of the Sacred
Heart College gave splendid literary and
musical entertainment last evening in the
college hall in honor Of st. Patrck's day.
AS an artistic effort for boys the pro-
gramme rendered, was eminently success
full. 1t was highly appreciated by the
audience. which numbered fully 1000
persons.
The hall was decorated with shields,
flags and green banners appropriate to the
occasion, while the stage was set with a
Venetian scene bordered by deep green
woods. 1t is customary for the junior
The morning call., 1894-03-14

of men should sleep in case of emergency.
Our only resource now is the fire alarm.
But what is the good of talking about
these things. The chance of having
gymnasium is long way off and 1 guess
we will have to do with the police drill for
some time to come"
The morning call., 1894-03-14
A Chinese Beggar Jailed.

annoyed sighrseers Ia The Mongolian quarter.
recently staked out Van Ness avenue as his
place OF business. After calling at several
kitchen doors yesterday morning he was ar.
rested by Officer Lean.
The morning call., 1894-03-14

solo, Musical Flat" c. v BRADY; vocal quar-
iet, bill OF Fare" Glee Club OF '94; Interlude
Irish Airs" orchestra. "The Omnibus"
farce: Cast Of characteristic. Ledger, Evans
Morgan; Pat Rooney. David Barry; Mr.. Ledger
Jr., Francis L. Kane; MIR. Dobbs, John Fee
ney; Tom Dobbs, +. }. O'Connell; messenger
boy, James l. O'Dea. Finale, orchestra.
The morning call., 1894-03-14

To gather pearls from oceans vases
Divers go down In divers places;
But at our mouths of streams and bays,
No pearls do Asian swimmers raise
Like those in beauty's mouth that shine,
Made by the SOZuDONT divine.