davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-04-24
ASSUMED ANOTHER NAME,
The Mystery Surrounding Miss
Nettie DoWd Cleared at
Last.
The True Name of the Girl Is Bertha
Passion A Queer
Story.

Among the inmates of the Rescue Home
at % Hill street is a girl II years Of age
who succeeded in mystifying the police for
several days. She was arrested last week
in a questionable resort on Sixth etreet,
and when asked her name said that it was
Nettie Dowd and that she had been alb
Quoted from her home in Monterey by
woman known as Annie Jackson.
The girls story was published in the
CALL on the following day, and on Monday
two residents of Monterey appeared and
declared that the girl was an impostor.
The visitors, who know the real Nettie
Dowd well, called at the Rescue Home to
interview the girl and set at rest the sus-
picions they entertained. They saw the
alleged Nettie Dowd and Immediately de-
clared that she was not the girl she claimed
to be.
''Nettie Dowd," said one OF these gentle
men yesterday, lis not over Ii years of
age and this girl is II at least. Besides,
Nettie is at home ana has not been abb
Quoted Her parents are well connected
and wealthy, and the notOriety they have
suffered by reason OF the fraud practiced
by this unknown girl has panied them ex-
ceedingly. am at loss to understand
why this girl has assumed the name of
Nettie Dowd. 1t is certain she has lived at
Monterey, but l am unable to place her
definitely"
The officers of the Society for the Pre-
vention of Cruelty to Children, when in
formed OF the facts in the case, began an
investigation. The alleged Nettie Dowd
was interviewed, and when asked to ex-
plain why she was masquerading under an
assumed name declared that it was not
true. She insisted that she was the genu-
inc Dowd girl and reiterated the story of
her abduction which has been published.
The fact that the girl is of Spanish nativ-
ity disproved her claim, and yesterday she
was recognized as Bertha Passion, a girl
from Monterey, for whom a search has
been long in progress. She was well ac-
quainted with the Dowd family, and when
arrested the idea came 10 her of assuming
the name of Mr.. Dowd's daughter. In this
manner the identity of the girl was con-
cealed, but it did not prevent her being
booked for an institution for girls.
The alleged Annie Jackson with whom
Bertha Passion came to this city from
Monterey was found in clearinghouse on
Third street by Officer McMurray yester-
day She was recognized as Mary Egan,
whose parents reside at 900 Fifteenth street.
She denies that she had any relations with
the alleged Dowd girl or that she came to
this city with her.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-04-24

there. He said he had heard they had
found a ciew as to the whereabouts of
Blanche Lamont and that he was inter
ested in finding out all he could. He did
did not think there was much in it, but he
was anxious to see all there was in it. He
said also he did not think the detective
was doing anything. He 1.-THE detective)
wanted $50 before doing anything. Before
parting Durrant remarked that he was
waiting for some one else.
Did he say who that other person was?"
mo, he did not"
What else did he say?"
in speaking about the detective Dur
rant said the detective did not seem to take
much interest in the case OF Miss Lamont,
as he had not even called to see him dur
rant) and find out what he knew about the
case Durrant also said he had called on
the detective to see if he could be of any
assistance"
Have you seen Mr.. Durrant about the
church very often?"
Eyes, sir Ihave seen him in the library
with George King fixing up the books, and
| also saw him there liking the electric
lights
did Durrant carry a key to the church ?"
II do not know for certain of my own
knowledge"
"Do you have key to the church?'
II do; yes, sir"
"Do YOU carry key to the library?"
az did until a new lock was put on the
library door"
"Do you know who put that new lock
on the library door?"
~ would not be certain, but think l
saw Mr. Durrant and Mr.. King putting on
the lock"
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-04-24
LIGHTS EXPLAINED.
Workmen Busy in the Church
While Miss LamOnt'S
Body Was There.

There has been considerable gossip
among the congregation of Emmanue
Baptist Church about some mysteriou:
between the dates of the disappearance OIL
Blanche Lamont and the murder of Marian
| Williams.
People dwelling in the neighborhood, as
well as church members, have positively
affirmed that they saw lights in Emmanue
Church at night, as though the men were
working late. They also saw ladders be-
ing carried into the church and men com.
ing and going during the daytime. Some
even declared that they remembered hay-
ing seen the workmen's lights through the
stats of the belfry after dark.
Lately people have been wondering
whether these men were repairing the gas
or the electric wires. The fact that they
were doing either would give some appar-
ent color to Durrant's statement that gas
and wires were out of order on the Wednes-
day that Blanche Lamont disappeared.
No one in the neighborhood of the chapel
seems to know anything more of the work
men than that they saw them about the
Sth or 9th inst.
P. d. Code, when asked yesterday for in
formation on the matter, said he was GER
tain no extensive repairing had been done,
but he remembered having heard some
thing about more gas-burners for the
church, and J. Kraker, superintendent OF
the Faultless Gas-saver Company, on Pow
ell street, admitted somewhat reluctantly
that it was his men who had been seen in
Emmanuel Church.
II have had instructions to say. very lit
tie about the matter till the trial. he said.
ave are not keeping back evidence, but
merely reserving it, at the request both OF
the police and Durrant's friends. till called
upon to speak at the trial. / may say,
however, that our men did work in the
church for several days between the dates
of the two murders. 1t was their lights
that were seen in the building, but they
never went into the belfry.
"Our employees were engaged in putting
in gas-savers, and in order to do that it
was necessary to cut the electric wires.
Just to show how little the electrician who
said the wires had not been touched for
months knew about the matter l may say
that not only were they severed, but that
the night Marian Williams was murdered
the wires were down here at our office and
were not replaced in the church till Satur-
day night"
J. Kraker added that he was unable to
say whether the gas was out of order.
1--WE had nothing to do with repairs" he
said. "0ur business was only to put on
the savers ~
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-04-24
THAT BLOODY COAT
Miss BoiIIot Thinks She Can
Identify Durrant as the
Man Who Left 1t.

The blood-stained coat which was
brought to light in Berkeley Monday
afternoon and which was at first thought
to be the property of Theodore Durrant
has caused a great sensation in the little
town across the bay. There is, however,
considerable difficulty in determining the
day upon which the package containing it
was found Three different dates have
been mentioned in connection with the in
cident. and it seems almost impossible to
connect the garment with either of the
Emmanuel Church tragedies.
Monday afternoon last Mrs. Jane Boillot,
who lives at the corner of College avenue
and Parker street in Berkeley, took to
Deputy Constable Murray paper package
which had been left in her possession by a
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-04-24
Nothing particular"
ibid Won ger q onod look at his face 2i'

Nothing particular"
ibid you get good look at his face"
mot a very close look at him."
''Do you recall anything else that took
place between you and the officer?"
Nothing further than that | made the
remark that Mr.. Durrants garb was not
the same as that of the man 1 saw talking
with Miss Williams. He put on his hat
while he was downstairs"
Sat whose suggestion did he put on his
hat in the presence OF ladleSr
1T was at the suggestion OF Detective
Gibson"
ssDo YOU know who it was that beckoned
to you to come across the courtroom and
take seat where you could get good
look at Durrant?"
81 do mott
Were you subpenaed to attend courtP"
eyes, sir; / was, on Sunday"
"And you came in response to that sum-
mons?"
ayes, SIR"
Miss Edith Mexican was called.
"Did you know Minnie Williams in her
lifetime?'
by sight"
"You live near Mr.. Morgan's place,
where she stopped, do you not?"
AZ do and I saw Miss Williams quite
often
Her testimony was corroboratiye of that
of the previous witness about Miss vii
liams being seen with a young man on
Mr.. Morgan's front porch two weeks ago
do you think Durrant was the same
man whom you saw talking to Miss VIII
liams?' was asked.
He looks very much like him"
"Do you think you could positively iden-
tify him?"
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-04-24

stranger. The man had approached her
house on run. When near by he stopped,
removed his coat and wrapped it in paper.
He then stepped to the door and asked
permission to leave the package for few
hours; This being. granted he placed 1t IN
coalbin in the cellar and started on run
for the foothills. As the stranger did not
return, Mrs. Boillot opened the bundle to
lind, If possible. clew to its ownership
Perceivlng the bloodstains, she became
alarmed and handed the garment to the
officers.
Miss Agnes Boillot, of whom the un-
known asked permission to leave his
the published likeness of Mr.. Durrant,
except that his hair was shorter. She
believes she could identify him.
The coat is double-breasted frock of
black corkscrew or diagonal. 1t is made
up as a prince Albert" and is in good
condition. There have been two small
patches inserted in the lining of the back
and the sleeves have been refined. The
garment was made by o. w. Nordwell OF
this city, and originally had the owner S
name on a strip of cloth sewed inside the
inner pocket. This the stitching shows TO
have been recently removed.
The blood stains extend across the
shoulders and down both sides of the front
| of the garment. An attempt had been
udQe 10 T6IuONt lHeu VIII SO1llc
| solution, but without success. There is
| also blood on the left sleeve. and the under
portions of the cuffs are shiny, as though
the wearer was accustomed to work at a
desk. The chest measurement OF the gar
ment is thirty-eight inches.
| Any value which might attach to Miss
| Boillot's Identification of Durrant as the
owner of the bloody coat is largely lost be-
cause of her inability to determine the
| date OF his visit to her home. When Miss
| Boillot first told the story to the officers
| she stated that the coat was left at her
| house on the morning of last Saturday
| week. Later she stated that the occur
| renee happened about two weeks ago, and
| to-day when interviewed at her home she
| fixed upon the Friday before March q as
the proper a..
Mrs. King, sister to Deputy Town Mar
shall Ben Calhoun, says that Mrs. Boillot
told her about the coat and its blood stains
on February %. She locates the date by a
charge on her books for groceries against
Mrs. Boillot, who, she says, usually paid
cash. Mr.. Leon Boillot, the husband and
father, who is an artist on the staff OF the
Chronicle, thinks that the date must be
still more remote.
The coat is now in the possession of the
Berkeley officers, who are awaiting orders
from Chief Crowley. DR.. Hubert Rowell
has examined the stains and pronounces
them human blood.
Mr.. Nordwell says he never made coat
for Theodore Durrant or for any one bear
ing that surname.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-04-24
Did Not See Durrant.

Among those that have been mentioned
as having seen Durrant at Emmanuel
Church on the night of the Williams MUIR
der were the Misses Sturges, who live near
the edifice. All reports connecting these
ladies with the case in any way are with
out foundation
The herald., 1895-09-05

terry ticket, but in fact for other unknown,
unlawful and un- American purposes. This
state of affairs has continued unabated
until patience ceased to be a virtue, and
resulted in the commencement OF this
proceeding.
"Not only the Chinese, but all citizens
should feel proud that we have a su-
preme court capable of recognizing one
of the most vital principles OF the Decla-
ration of Rights. l am glad to know
that The Herald has of late commented
upon the autocratic method OF proceed
ure of our police. a practice which re-
oeived the earnest attention OF the SUI
preme court III this case.
"The points relied upon by the supreme
court for this decision were as follows:
First--That the defendant was seized,
searched and arrested without a warrant
ever having been issued. and is held
under complaint filed two days after
said arrest and unlawful seizure.
Second--That said ordinance is un-
constitutional and void for the following
reasons:
(A). 1t shifts the burden of proof in a
criminal case.
OBJ. 1t nulliies the statutory declara-
tion that all men are presumed to be IN
nocent until proven guilty.
(C). 1t seeks to compel defendant IN
a criminal proceeding to testify against
himself or to testify at all.
(D). 1t prescribes a rule OF evidence
different from that prescribed by the
penal code.
(E). It attempts to authorize justice
Of the peace Or police judge to impose an
unreasonable fine or penalty in trivia
case.
Which one of the above it was that the
decision was rendered upon has not ye
been made known.
The herald., 1895-09-05
So Decided by the Supreme
Court of the State
WONG HANE CASE SETTLED
Tho Decision of the Lower Court
Reversed
Thousands of Dollars Collected by the City
as Fines 1ay Possibly Have to
Be Refunded

Attorney M. G. Norton received tele-
gram from L. H. Ward, clerk OF the su-
preme court last night. informing him
that the petition tor writ OF habas
corpus of Wong Hane had been granted
and the prisoner discharged. The matter
has been under consideration by the su-
preme court tor the past five months. AS
yet the exact point upon which the Pc
tition was granted has not been learned,
and cannot be known until the complete
opinion is at hand. The discharge, how
ever, renders the city lottery ordinance
null and of no effect, and Attorney Norton
can boast of having finally settled ques-
tion which has been the bone OF conten-
tion between the courts and the legal
fraternity for the past two years.
Very few persons will fully comprehend
the weight OF this seemingly unimportant
decision. When it is explained, however,
that the entire Chinese colony, backed by
the Six Com paneF. are behind the in
nocent and bland Wong Hane, who has
been used merely as a test to decide the
legal questions involved; also that thous-
ands of dollars paid into the city treas
ury as fines may have to be refunded, its
real significance will be apparent.
Every arrest for the possession of lot
terry tickets has resulted in a conviction
and fine of at least $40 and in some cases
as high as $3.50. The superior court, on
appeal, has always affirmed the decisions
OF the justices courts, and as the constr
tutionality of the ordinance has long been
considered settled, the opinion by the
supreme cour. at this late day will fall
like bombshell in the vicinity of the
city hall and the police station.
Mr.. Norton was interviewed by Her
aid reporter last night and said: II am
glad to furnish ii statement for the public
in order that the position of myself and
clients may not be InisunG erstooj. 1t is
true that 1 have been employed by repre-
sentatives of the Chinese colony to over
throw this obnoxious ordinance-for so We
consider it-and l am glad for having
succeeded. However. l wish it under
stood that my clients have the utmost
reverence for the law. 1t is not prosecu-
tion but persecution to which they object.
The supreme court by no imagina bic pro-
cess of reasoning cOuld have decided
otherwise, for it was apparent from the
facts l presented that this ordinance was
merely scheme to harrass and annoy
| peaceable and law abiding citizens, and
| in no wise assisted the laws of the state,
which are ample to obstruct the lottery
traffic. 1t has been daily custom of the
| police to worry and terrorize peaceable
| Chinese by holding them up in the street
under the pretense OF searching for lot
The herald., 1895-09-05
The Lesson Was Learned

Little Jacky had two apples which he
had saved fIom dessert. There was COM
pany in the room, and one Of the gentle
men thought it would be good oppor-
tunity to give Jacky q lesson in manners.
So he called the boy and said: II see
you have two apples, Jacky. Won't you
give me one?" Jacky hesitated, looked
rather ruefuiiy at mis- prizes ano finally
offered the smallest one. This was what
the gentleman had expected and he pro-
ceeded to expatiate upon it. ending with :
"Now Jacky, whenever you have any
.hing to give away you should always
keep the poorest to yorrself." This might
be good manners. but it didn't harmon
ize with Jacky's desires. So he rumin-
ated over it for while. and tnen stuck
out the other fist. "Take t'other one,
too" he said, generously. The gentle
man was congratulating himself on his
success, when Jackv stunned him by say
ing: "Now, won't you please give me
one. "-Chicago Chronicle.
The herald., 1895-09-05
BAD BLOOD DEMONSTRATION
Shooting ARRAY Between Prominent Citizens
at Nodesto

MODESTO Sept. 4.-The trouble be-
tween S. L. Hanscom and G. A. Ston-
sitter culninated today in shooting
affray in which Hanscom was shot in the
left arm. The men met on the street in
separate buggies and Stonsifter let him
have the contents of double barreled
shotgun loaded with buckshot. Three of
the missiles struck Henscom in the arm.
Stonsifter Immediately drove to the sher-
ifs office and surrendered himself. He
refused to talk Tor publication, but his
friends say that he has been expecting
a meeting fiom Hanscom for several days.
Upon meeting Hanscom today he claims
that the latter attempted to draw pistol
but ne fired first. Hanscom says he was
unarmed and was shot from behind.
Hanscom was formerly proprietor of a
newspaper here and was prominent in
politics. He became involved in litiga-
tion IN which Stonsifter was on the other
side as attorney. Stonsifter afterwards
beat Hanscom in civil suit and about
ten days ago Hanscom slapped his face.
Stonsifter then attempted to stab his as
sailant bat his knife broke. On that
occasion Hanscom pleaded guilty to as
sault and paid his fine. There is consider
able excitement in town over today S
affair and many conflicting reports are
in circulation. Stonsifter was charged
with assault to commi: murder today and
was released on $4,000 bail.
The herald., 1895-09-05
The Earth's Model

Foar leading French scientsts-Vill-
ard, Cotard, Seyrig and Tissandi ier-have
succeeded IN making wonderful model
of the earth. 1t is huge sphere, forty
two feet in diameter and has painted up
on it's outside all details Of the earth s
geography. At PARIS. where the pigmy
world is being exhibited. an iron and
glass dome has been erected over the
globe. The building is eight-sided, and
is we'll provided with elevators and stair
ways. which makes it an easy task for the
visitor to examine "all parts of the
world" The globe weighs eighteen tons,
but is so nicely balanced chat it can easl-
ly be rotated by a small hand-wheel. The
entire surface are is 525 feet, which is
sufficient to exhibit all the mountains,
rivers, is lands and cities, even to the
principal thoroughfares of the latter
Chicago Chronicle.
The herald., 1895-09-05

mother to visit her, as she had something
to confess regarding the dead girl. The
mother consented to go and duiing her
absence the body was quietly removed
from its unusual surroundings and put
in the vault.
When the mother returned she was rem
dered very miserable on learning what
had been done, but by degrees she be-
came resigned and contented herself with
daily visits to the vault.
Since then she has been abroad and
with the aid of time which levels and
mellows all things, has become resigned
to the loss of the daughter. The mother
lives still and is quite prominent
worker in charity circles.
The herald., 1895-09-05
LA FIESTA FOR NEXT YEAR
Another Step in the Right Direction Taken
Last Night

1t was expected that the question Of
''to be or not to be- for next years
Fiesta would be definitely settled at the
meeting of tho Merchants association
last night but that body took no formal
action in the matter through it was gem
orally expressed at the meeting that La
Fiesta must be perpetuated.
President Joseph koephi called the
meeting to order and the minutes of the
JOINT meeting of the chamber of COM
merce board of trade and Merchants as
sociation were read and approved. A
discussion arose as to the ACCESSIBILITY of
inviting other organizations to join the
Fiesta committee which brought out
great many interesting points concerning
Fiesta matters generally. Max Meyberg
presented a strong argument IN favor of
inviting the cooperation of the laboring
classes in order that the celebration ght
be made as general as possible. The
speaker referred to the criticisms passed
upon former Fiestas stating that there was
some truth in them and that the matter
sho uld be remedied.
There were number of good speeches
made upon the subject, the ma iority SEEM
ing to favor the proposition OF admitting
another organization. After passing
through the form of several motions and
amendments the question was finally car
ried in the following form: That the
Merchants association suggest to the
joint committee composed of members
from the chamber of commerce and the
board of trade that the Federated trades
be added to the Fiesta committee.
1t was urged by several members that
the selection OF "a director general be
made at once. The objection was raised
that it would appear discourteous to the
other organizations which are working
Jointly with the merchants to take any
such action without their participation.
Accordingly a motion was carried in
structlng the secretary to inform the or
ganiZations acting in conjunction with
the merchants of the action taken at the
meeting and also call a joint meeting fol
the purpose of electing director general
for the Fiesta of 1896 next Friday even.
ing.at 8 o'clock at the chamber Of com
merce.