davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The San Francisco call., 1895-12-01
MOURNED At PORTLAND,
Drummer Dixon's Sudden Flight
Regretted by a Host Of
Creditors.
Cashed Many Bogus Checks Before
Starting on a Tour of
Canada.

PORTLAND, Or, Nov. 30.-James A.
Dixon, manager of the Western Shipping
and Commercial Company in this city, is a
fugitive from justice. On Thanksgiving
day he raised about $1,000 in checks on the
London and San Francisco Bank, in sums
OF $50 and $25, which he cashed among his
friends about town.
Yesterday morning the rush of check
holders began. The majority came straight
from the bank, where they had been in
formed that Dixon had no account there,
while others had been met on the way by
those informed. To all the same cold COM
fort was given-"hes skipped v'-and with
that they were forced to be content, for
Dixon had many hours before crossed the
Canadian line at Blaine, Wash, and even
then was well on his way to Montreal
Dixon first made his appearance in Port
land some four years ago as drummer for
an Eastern distillery at least he claimed
to be such, although it is not known that
he ever filled an order. Portland seemed
to suit him, and dropping the whisky
business he took line of syrups out on
the road, working through some agency in
this city. The fellow was a good dresser,
invariably appearing on the street, sum-
mer and winter, wearing high silk hat
and well-htting Prince Albert. He pos
sessed good tenor voice and was soon a
warm favorite in certain circles.
The returns from the treacle business
proved entirely inadequate to Dixon's ex-
penditures, and finding himself getting
into debt the fellow resolved on bold
stroke. Two years ago, renting room 43 in
the Mckay building, Dixon had painted
on the door the following sign: "Western
Shipping and Commercial Company, Gen
eral Merchants, Agents for American
Tramp Steamship Company, James A.
Dixon, Manager" One doleful creditor
as he gazed on the sign this morning re-
marked:
"That Tramp Steamship Company hits
1t off all right, doesn't it?''
During the two years he was known to do
little but spend his nights around concert
halls and preside over the sessions of the
Chicken Club" an organization for the
cultivation of the voice and the appetite.
This did not bring in cash, and Dixon had
to borrow, procedure that had become a
habit acquired in other cities, and one he
rather liked. His pilferings amount to
well into the thousands.
The San Francisco call., 1895-12-01
OUR CHANCES ARE GOOD.
San Francisco as Likely to Win
the Convention as Any
City.
The Interior Towns Continue to Do Ex
cellent Work for the Promotion
Committee.

For the last few days the dispatches
from Chicago would indicate to those who
do not understand the situation that the
convention has been arranged for at that
point, and that the entire matter is set
tied.
AS matter of fact. the location of the
convention will not be definitely known
until the National Committee meets on the
10th of Decem ber, and in the meantime it
may as well be stated that San Francisco
has as much of a show of winning the
prize as Chicago or Pittsburg. There are a
great many ins and outs of preparation that
have not yet been made public, and will
not be, until our delegates are ready to
come before the National Committee.
Chicago's boom is merely confined to
Chicago, and is not likely to disturb any
other clty's chances. Our delegates are
circulating through the doubtful States.
and some very effective work is being done.
While they are on still hunt for votes,
the interior towns of California are going
right along, with the intention of getting
all the weight behind our delegates that it
is possible to accumulate. Yesterday
Chairman Castle Of the committee on pro-
The San Francisco call., 1895-12-01
c0ULTERWLLE TO MARJPOSA.
New Bridge Over Merced River With New
Roads Shorten the Distance
One Half

BEAR VALLEY, CAL, Nov. 30.-The
San Francisco Bridge Company has fin
ished the construction of the new bridge
over Merced River at Benton Mills, five
miles from Bear Valley.
1t is a handsome structure, of wood and
iron, and was built in twenty-five working
days under the supervision oil William
Bates. The bridge has a span of IT'S feet
in the center and two short spans in the
approaches thirty feet at each end, in ad-
dition to which there is small amount of
trestle work Men are at work finishing
the approaches, and the bridge will be
open for traffic within few days.
The Supervisors have let contract to
Mr.. McCandlish for eight miles of road to
connect the north end of the bridge at
Benton Mills with Coulterville, by way of
SCOTS Guch. The contract price is $4,000.
The distance between Coulterville and
Mariposa. the county seat by this road
will be twenty-five miles. From Mariposa
to Bear Valley the distance will be twelve
miles; thence to Benton Mills Bridge five
miles; thence to Coulterville eight miles.
The total distance is thus reduced one
half
The rain during the week has softened
the ground, and will enable the road-con-
tractors to push on with the work more
speedily.
The San Francisco call., 1895-12-01
A Cellmate of Moreno Bears Out
the Confession of John
Doe"
LETTERS IN q STRANGE HAND
The Mexican Had a Companion Who
Probably Committed the
Murders.

PORTLAND, Or, Nov. 30.-The recent
publication of letter from Arizona signed
John Doe, in which the writer confesses to
the murders for which Moreno and Semlar
were lynched in Yreka last August, has
created a ripple of excitement here because
of q corroborative statement made by
young burglar, Andrew A. Crawford, in a
newspaper interview on the 9th of last
Septem Der.
when 1 went to jail last January" said
young Crawford, in introducing at that
time the history of Moreno, which in
cline3 him to the belief of Semlar's inno-
cence, Il was placed in a cell with Moreno.
l found him an easy man to get along with
and we struck up a sort of friendship. At
that time he could hardly speak good Eng
lish, and l taught him so that we could
converse. He had a habit of sitting up
late and staring into space, and one night
/ asked him what troubled him. He an
swered:
~ am thinking of my wife and child
ren in-(naming a place in Mexico op-
posite Eagle Pass)-whom I won't be able
10 see till 1896
"'How's that? 1 asked him.
"'I'll tell you,' replied Moreno. Up to
1889 I was non-commissioned officer in
the Mexican army. Some tire before that
two young officers had me suspended by
the wrists in the guardhouse, and I swore
vengeance upon them. In 1889, one day
called at the home of one of the officers, in
the outskirts OF the town. He an
swered my rap on the door, when
I, with the aid of some fellow
soldiers, kidnapped and carried him a short
distance into the woods, where l plunged
my knife into his heart. The other officer
shared a similar fate at my hands that
afternoon. The killing of the two officers
created a great sensation the day follow
ing when their bodies were discovered, but
I was very popular with my men, they did
not inform upon me and the Mexican au-
thorities are yet in the dark as to the iden-
tity of the slayer"
Z" 1T was month or two later when
killed an officer at a game of cards, and
then knew I had to fee. / hurried to
the City oftMexico, where my brother
practices law. He counseled me to leave
the country at once and remain absent
seven years, after which my prosecution
would be barred by the Mexican statutes
OF limitation. l sailed in a Spanish ship
as carpenter from New Orleans, visiting
nearly all parts of the earth. till l reached
Seattle from Liverpool in the ship ]. B.
Thomas last fall
Moreno left the County Jail little more
than three months before l did," contin-
ued Crawford, "and he promised to write
and keep me informed where he was, so l
could join him after my release. The last
letter got from Moreno lit was not in his
handwriting was two weeks before he was
hanged. My theory is that the writer of
the letters accompanied Moreno to Yreka,
and that he alone was guilty of the double
murder for which Moreno and Semler were
hanged"
The San Francisco call., 1895-12-01
FIVE FEARS FOR FRICH.
The TOpsy Grade Bandit Escapes Will
n LiGht Sentence.

PORTLAND. Or, Nov. 3o.-Adolphus
c. Frick, the convicted stage-robber, who
repeatedly halted the klamath Falls stage,
was before Judge Bellinger this morning
for sentence, and the judgment of the
court was that the prisoner should spend
five years of his life at hard labor in the
penitentiary. The court stated the reason
for this comparatively light punishment
TO be that the prisoner had no real weapon
in his possession when he attempted to
rob the mails.
Frick, as he resumed his seat, drew
long breath, which might have been taken
as an expression that while five years in
the "pen" at hard work seemed long
time, it was good deal shorter than to be
compelled to spend his life behind prison
walls, and he fully realized what a ''close
shave it was for him.
The San Francisco call., 1895-12-01
CAPTAIN HEALY OF THE BEAR.
The Veteran of the Revenue Cutter Serv-
ice Denies All the Charges
Aoninsf Him.

WASHINGTON, D. c., Nov. 30.-Cap-
tain M. A. Healy of the United States
revenue cutter service has sent to the
Secretary of the Treasury his reply to
complaints made against him by twenty
five officers of the revenue marine service.
He enters denial to each complaint.
In the list of complaints filed Captain
Healy is charged with drunkenness, neg
lect of duty, conduct unbecoming an officer
and and a gentleman, lack of discipline.
favoritism and varions other offenses.
These complaints are now being put into
specific charges, and when formally filed
with Secretary Carlisle in regular form, q
board of revenue marine officers will be
convened at San Francisco to make an in
vestigation OF the charges and submit re-
port.
Upon the report and findings of this
body Secretary Carlisle will take definite
action. The board will be announced. it
is said, within the next ten days.
Captain Healy is 5S years old, and has
for a number of years been engaged in
cruising in the northern seas, where he
is said to have contracted his bad habits,
partly because of the rigorous climate.
Much sympathy is expressed for him in
official circles here. where he bore an ex-.
cellent character as sturdy sailor and an
officer OF good judgment.
The San Francisco call., 1895-12-01
Confession Is Good.

On Michigan-avenue car day or two
ago two men, each of whom had ar
umbrella in his hand. sat side by side
After few minutes one of them said:
'Tf / am not mistaken l once owned thai
umbrella you are carrying"
II was thinking the same about yours, ,
was the ereply.
''If my memory serves me right lef
that umbrella in an office on Griswolo
street about year ago."
Don't doubt it in the least. Just about
q year ago l was in an office on Griswold
street and it began to rain. This umbrella
stood there in corner and after little
maneuvering / managed to steal it.
week previous to that l was making some
purchases in store on Woodward avenue
When l started to go out | found thai
some one had stolen my umbrella.
think you are the man."
81 know Iam," replied the other. eyes
l was in a store on Woodward avenue
about a year ago. 1t was raining and |
had no umbrella. l saw you stand yours
up against the counter and walk away, and
I gobbled it, Shall we exchange or lei
things go as they are?"
"I'm satisfied"
'So'm IL
''Then we will continue to believe thai
honesty is the best policy. I get out here
good afternoon"
''Same 10 you, and integrity is the roaG
to success. Detroit Free Press.
The San Francisco call., 1895-12-01
Parasol Ant.

The greatest known curiosity of insect
life, as far as habits are concerned, at least,
is 10 be found in the queer "parasol' or
'um brelIa" ant, so common in all parts
zuela. The common name by which the
creature is known has been bestowed
because Of queer habit this species
of ant has of stripping certain kinds
of trees and shrubs of their foliage
and carrying the leaves to their nests. An
army of these ants which have been off on
foraging expedition presents the queerest
sight Imaginable, as they march in long col
umns by twos, four and skies, each holding
the stem of leaf in its jaws, the leaf itself
shading the insects body as parasol
does the face and shoulders of a
lady. The early naturalists i'm
agined that these ants carried leaves
The San Francisco call., 1895-12-01

happened. We did not know then that
the man was killed. Ny brothers and
father went out to look for the horses,
while I put the things back in the wagon.
"When stepped around by the tongue
I saw the man lying on the ground, and
found that he was dead. Presently the
others came back and said that the horses
were gone. We supposed the men had
driven them off.
"When father found the man was dead,
he did not know what to do. He was half
crazy with nervousness from the effects of
drink and the excitement. We urged him
to 60 back with us, but he said he did not
know what to do. He thought he would
strike out alone, and might go to Stockton
and might not.
"He took the rifle and left but we met
him later. We did not want to be ar
rested, but wanted to give ourselves up in
Stockton. When we got to the bridge my
little brother said he saw some men pa
trolling it. We thenhran back and. got
under car for a while. Then we started
back to try to make the McDougald bridge
again. We walked and walked, going
through the brush. Somehow we got
away from the river and lost our bearings.
1t was very dark and storming. Finally
we struck heavily wooded spot with
plenty of brush about and decided to lie
down until morning.
"When morning came father could not
get up. I forgot to tell you be was
wounded. The ball went across his stom-
ach, but l do not think it went very deep
He is rather feshy, and L think the ball
went through the fat on his stomach. l
had to lift him to his feet for he was stiff
and weak. begged him to come on with
US, but he said he could not. He told us
the best thing for US would be to come into
Stockton and give ourselves up and let
him lie where he was until he was able to
walk. l took the Winchester from him
and my brother gave him a 3S-caliber re-
volver. We gave him what money we had
He promised to go to some farmhouse as
soon as he was able and get something to
eat. Then we left him and came to Stock
tOn."
The San Francisco call., 1895-12-01
San Francisco's Boston Boom.

BOSTON, Mass, Nov. 30.-THE CALL
correspondent this evening secured inter
views with number of the leading Repub-
lcans of the East in regard to the choice
of convention city and individual choices
for Presidential candidate. As result
OF this canvass, as has been predicted, San
Francisco still leads all other cities in the
convention race. Seemingly the lavish
outlay by the Pittsburg and Chicago agents
has caused little or no change in the SEN
timent. The entire East is solid for Reed
of Maine, and no amount of canvassing or
wire-pulling can change the result. During
the past month the Maine mans candidacy
has, if anything, thriven on the oppo-
sition, and each day his hold on the COW
eted honor is growing stronger.
The San Francisco call., 1895-12-01
NEWS OF Los ANGELES,
Poisoner Busby Escapes With a
Verdict of Imprisonment
for Life.
Suburbanites to Vote Upon the QueS.
tion of Annexation-Mayne's
Death Is Near.

LOS ANGELES, CAL, Nov. 30.-The
jury in the case of J. Busby, the poisoner,
returned a verdict at o'clock this after
noon of murder in the first degree and re-
commended life sentence as the penalty.
Busby was the negro who sent to a
Pullman-car porter a bottle of wine into
which he had put strychnine, hoping by
the porter's death to obtain his position.
The bottle fell into the hands of two train
men, W. J. Thompson and A. J. Martin,
who drank the contents and died in horri-
bic agony.
The San Francisco call., 1895-12-01
SEATTLE BANK FRAUDS.
Charges of Conspiracy Preferred Agains
President Hooker,

CHdr0eS OF conspiracy ITJeTTeU d0dUSt
President Hooker.
SEATTLE, WASH, Nov. 80. - H. H.
Wheeler has petitioned the Superior Court
asking that the Seattle National Bank be
placed in the hands of a receiver. Con-
spiracy on the part of Robert G. Hooker,
the president, is charged.
About year ago the Commercial Ma
tional Bank, of which Wheeler was presi-
dent. was consolidated with the Seattle
National. The plaintiff claims that Hook
er has been fraudulently disposing of stock
and otherwise seeking to defraud the for
mer stockholders of the Commercial Ma
tional, and that the liabilities Of the Seat
tie National exceed the assets by $4,000.
Wheeler himself is now under bonds,
charged with fraud in his management of
the Blaine National Bank, Blaine, Wash.
The San Francisco call., 1895-12-01
AWARDs FOR CALIFORNIA.
Gratifying Success of the States Enhibi
at atlanta.

LOS ANGELES, CAL, Nov. 3O.-It is
very gratifying to Californians to note
evidences of the success with which the
exhibit of this State has been received at
Atlanta.
Out of seventy-five medals awarded to
California, Southern California received
thirty-nine, or ffty-two per cent. Of
these the Los Angeles Chamber of Com
merce receives thirty-seven medals, which
speaks volumes for the completeness and
The rewards for individuals in this section
of this State are numerous and include
prizes for wines, fruits, preserves, sugar
and vegetables, and one woman receives a
bronze medal for silk in cocoons, fact
which suggests great possibilities in the
direction of silk culture in this section of
the State.
The San Francisco call., 1895-12-01
DECREASING OIL YIELD.
Supplies from Ne,c Wells Do Not Coun-
terdct the Loss ia the Old.

LOS ANGELES, CAL, Nov. 30.-Not-
withstanding the reports in the papers
that the product of oil is increasing, the
exchange believes that the contrary is
true. The amount derived from new wells
does not counteract the loss in the old
ones: Although the wells are giving out
the field is exhaustless, but is shifting.
The location for the oil refinery of the
Puente Oil Company has not yet been de-
cided upon. The refinery will in no way
be a rival of the gigantic Standard Com
pany, but will sell and allow its product to
be handled by that corporation
The San Francisco call., 1895-12-01
REDUCED ONE-THIRD.
S,ceeping Cut In Wa0es of Colorado MID
land EmpIOyeS.

COLORADO SPRINGS, CoLo., Nov 3d.
1t is announced that the employees of the
Colorado Midland are to receive 33]s per
cent cut on the first of the year. This is
said to be because they are receiving large
wages, amounting in some instances, with
extra work, to 5000 and $500 per month.
Receiver Risline thinks that wages are
too high, and consequently gave the men
the required thirty days notice of the re-
duction. A strike is not probable, but the
men will undoubtedly appeal to Judge
Caldwell. relying on his fairness and good
Judgment.
The San Francisco call., 1895-12-01

for the sole purpose of protecting
themselves against the rays OF the tropical
tor of Agriculture, Trinidad, shows that
they have another use for the bits of green
they gather The leaves, according to our
authority, are only wanted as soil upon
which to grow certain species of fungi
which the parasol ant is very fond of.-St.
Louis Republic.
The San Francisco call., 1895-12-01
Race,racSs for Santa Monicn.

SANTA MONICA, CAL, Nov. 3O.-G. L..
Waring and others are organizing stock
company for the purpose of constructing
mile racetrack here, just outside the city
limits, adjacent to the Southern Pacific
track. 1t is proposed to capitalize the
company at $4,000 and lease sixty-five
acres of land, with privilege of purchas-
ing. The Chamber of Commerce has ap-
proved OF the proposition and appointed a
The San Francisco call., 1895-12-01
Forty Three Ne,c Build mas.

LOS ANGELES, CAL, Nov. 3O.-Super-
intendent of Buildings Strange issued per-
mits from his office for the week to the
number of forty-th three for buildings to cost
in the aggregate $4,000. There were
fewer permits issued this week than last.
but the cost of the buildings was consider
ably more.
The San Francisco call., 1895-12-01
Exporting Thorne's Books.

LOS ANGELES, CAL, Nov. 3O.-The ex-
pert examination of the books of Lewis
Thorne, ex-secretary of the Sixth District
Agricultural Association, has commenced.
No report will be made as to the condition
of affairs until the examination is COM
pleted. It is understood that General A.
w. Barrett will be down tomorrow to
watch the progress of the Investigation.
The San Francisco call., 1895-12-01
GREATER Los ANGELES.
Suburbs to Decide the Question of 4nner-
alton by Ballot.

LOS ANGELES, CAL, Nov. 80. The
land committee of the City Council to-day
recommended the calling of an election for
the annexation of certain territory south
west of the city, provided the residents OF
the district to be annexed pay one-half OF
the expense to be incurred.
The boundary of the district that wants
to become a part of the city is changed
materially from that of the district which
sought to be annexed several months ago.
The territory wherein resides the ma jority
of the opponents to annexation is left out
by the new petitioners. 1t is likely the
Council will accept the recommendation
of the committee and call the election at
once, for it is understood the suburbanites
are willing to defray their share of the ex-
penses.
The San Francisco call., 1895-12-01
An Incendiary Blaze,

LOS ANGELES, CAL, Nov. 3O-Aiex-
ander Burley's planning mill at Main and
Washington streets was destroyed by fire
last evening. Indications are that it was
an incendiary blaze. The engine and
boiler of the mill were saved, but all the
rest of the property was destroyed. Loss,
$1,000; insurance, $4,000.
The San Francisco call., 1895-12-01
Ttro Firemen Iniurcd.

CHICAGO, ILL.,, Nov. 3o.-At fire in
Neeman & Co.'s commission house on
South Water street at midnight Firemen
John Doering and James Doyle were
knocked senseless by an explosion of hot
ously, injured. The property loss is small.
The San Francisco call., 1895-12-01
Police Rescue a Murderer.

ST. LOUIS, Mo-, Nov. 3O.-Alexander
Boyle, who murdered his mistress, Jessie
Sims, yesterday morning, was captured in
East st. Louis and taken tn the Morgue
to identify the body this morning. A
crowd of 400 negroes attempted to lynch
him, but he was rescued by a squad of
fifty policemen after hard struggle.
The San Francisco call., 1895-12-01
MAYNE NEAR TO DEATH.
He Continues to CaU for the YotGng Yard
Whom He Wronged.

LOS ANGELES, CAL, Nov. 3O.-Clifton
E. Mayne suffered another hemorrhage
this morning in his cell at the County
Jail, and his death is expected at any mo-
mcnt.
Nothing has yet been heard from Della
Shipton. Mayne wants to see her before
he dies and his constant request is for her.
1t is presumed that his desire to see her is
to have her, in whom he has every faith,
wipe out the stain that now smirches his
name in case of his death There is abso-
Iutely no hope for his recovery.
The San Francisco call., 1895-12-01

condition and complained that food ran
short when fourteen days out. Since then
the seamen have been subsisting upon
short ratlons OF stale bread, unwholesome
salt meat and bad coffee.
The San Francisco call., 1895-12-01

STARRING Sailors Reach Port TosUnsend.
PORT TOWNSEND, WASH, Nov. 3d.
Inc schooner Reporter arrived here this
evening, twenty-eight days from San Pc
oro. The crew was in all almost starving
The San Francisco call., 1895-12-01

Dated V1salia, Cal, November 80, 1885.
Upon motion the resolutions were
adopted and the secretary instructed to
furnish ]. W. Davis with a certified copy
of the same to send to the promotion COM
mittee in San Francisco. The meeting
then adjourned