The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-07-06
LATEST OAKLAND NEWS,
Aaron KrausS Drowned in the
Presence of Thousands
of People.
FELL FROM a BURNING RAFT.
Walter Lambert Holds a Recep-
ton Before Departing for
San Quentin.
FELL FROM A BURNING RAFT.

Aaron Krauss met his death on the
night of the Fourth of July by drowning
in Lake Merritt. Although he was less
than a hundred yards from over $4,000
people, not more than dozen OF them
knew of his danger and death.
In the early part of the evening Mr..
Krauss, accompanied by friend, Lew
Strauss, came over from San Francisco to
witness the Examinations. Being a per
sonal friend of Henry Vollars, who had
the fireworks in charge, he asked per-
mission to 20 out on the floats from which
the display took place. The request was
granted, but not willingly. He was told OF
the danger, but he paid no attention to
the warning. His friend placed him on
the float in charge of George Woodward,
which was located on the east side OF the
lake, near the boulevard.
Almost Immediately upon the beginning
of the display the raft on the extreme
right caught fire, causing the rockets to
shoot in every direction. Those IN charge
saw that it would be almost impossible to
carry on the display on account of the
small size of the RATS. But every precau-
ton was taken, and they proceeded to
carry out the programme all right until
la6out $50 o'clock, when the raft upon
which Krauss was located caught fire.
His and Woodward's efforts to ex-
tinguish it were in vain. They shouted
for help, and George Atkinscn's steam
launch Immediately started toward them.
KrausS became wildly excited, and in
the confusion he leaped into the water
Just before the launch got to him. At the
same time all of the fireworks on the raft
exploded, enveloping the place in dense
smoke. Nothing more was seen of Krauss.
Woodward stayed on the raft ana was
safely removed by a boat. At the time the
friends of krauss did not know whether he
had been drowned or not. Some thought
that he had fioundered TO the shore. Early
yesterday morning the body of Krauss was
recovered by a dredger.
The deceased resided at 1017 Post street,
San Francisco. He was a single man,
about 40 years of age. Levi Strauss & Co.
had employed him for the past fourteen
years.
Anticipates a Contest.
This morning at 10 o'clock the Board of
Supervisors will meet as board of equal
ization to hear any complaints against the
assessment rolls as prepared by Assessor
Dalton. All complaints must be filed with
the County Clerk. As yet no protests have
been entered, but several extensive corpor-
atiOns have had their agents at work for
some time getting figures so as to be able
TO enter protests. Assessor Dalton expects
u hard battle, but he is willing to substan-
tiate all of his assessments.
Yesterday Mr.. Dalton said in relation
to the matter: ''All / ask for Is a square
deal. 1 believe that the County Board of
Equalization intends to do the right thing
by my assessments. l claim that [ have
made fair assessment all over the county.
and if necessary l am going to battle to
.have it maintained. OF course anticipate
"a contest. I expect to see some applica-
tons for reduction filed tomorrow, and
then l will know how to act. At present
s cannot say what course l shall pursue
You see everything depends upon what
the other side is going TO do. II necessary
/ shall employ an attorney to make the
fight TO sustain my figures. I do not be-
lieve the Supervisors viii take snap judg-
ment on me in this matter. If fight is
made want time to prepare my case and
secure my witnesses. | am in earnest and
propose to make showing if my figures
are attacked"
Taken to San Quentin.
Walter Lambert, the ex-cIerk of the Po-
lice Court, was taken to San Quentin yes
terday to serve five years for taking money
from the city. In the morning he held a
little reception at the County Jail. He
seemed to be happy. Quite a number of
his friends gathered at an early hour to
meet him.
The prisoner thanked them for standing
by him as nobly as they had done He
soIemnly promised that upon his release
from prison he was going to turn over a
new leaf and lead different life. He said
that a severe lesson had been taught him
and he had no one to blame but yourself
Deputy Sheriff Lane drove Lambert to
Market-street station and boarded the train
al that place. He made a special request
that he meet none of his friends on the
way to San Quentin.
st first he decided that he would stay in
the County Jail until his appeal to the Su-
perior Court was settled. His attorney
deemed it best that he go to prison at
once, so as to have his sentence commence
The appeal will be taken Just the same. 1t
viii probably be year before decision is
reached in the case.
Four Horses Roasted.
A fire in a stable at 800 Thirtieth street
early this morning so badly burned four
horses that City Veterinary Surgeon Pierce
ordered them to be shot.
When the Fire Department arrived upon
the scene the fire had already reached the
horses, and they were snorting with agony.
Before they could be loosened they were
so badly burned that it was thought best
to shoot them TO END their suffering. The
property belonged to John Pegmen, dray-
man. Each horse was insured for $125, and
the total insurance upon the barn and It's
contents was $3.50.
Brother Walter at st. Mary's.
Brother Erminold, who has been presi-
dent of st. Msry's College in this city for
some time, has been appointed TO the di
rectorship OF the Sacred Heart College IL
San Francisco. Brother Walter, an emf
nent Catholic scholar, will succeed him
He was one of the first young men who
completed a course at st. Mary's, gradual
ing in 1869. Since then he has taught in
various Catholic schools on this coast
His specialties are metaphysics and phil.
osophy, but he is also well versed in his
tory and literature. As a disciplinarian he
has gained great distinction.
Oakland Briefs.
The funeral of the late Mrs Margaret l..
Hoyt took place yesterday afternoon from
her home on Eighteenth street, near West.
Residents in the district about Twenty
second avenue got up yesterday morning
and found their homes surrounded by a
lake. The cause was due to large main
OF the Oakland Water Company bursting
during the night.
Mrs. J. W. Tompkins, wife of City Clerk
Tompkins, returned from Cazadero yester-
day very seriously injured. She was