davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-04-12
BIRD COLONIES.
Great Cliffs Within the Arctic Circle
Where Millions Nest.

Where Millions Nest.
Within the arctic circle are the great
bird colonies. The largest and most re-
markable is that of Svaerholt Klubben.
Every inch of this wonderful cliff, which
rises about 1000 feet from the waters edge,
and is of considerably greater breadth, may
be said to be used by the birds. The dis
| charge of small cannon in the immediate
nelghborhood will darken the air with mil
lions of birds, but even then a tieldglass
will reveal the innumerable lodges white
with other undisturbed millions. These
consist almost entirely of the small gull
| (Rlssa tridactyla), and they are source of
| considerable income to the owner of the
| colony, who lives at the little fishing sta
| ton close by.
| About the middle of May every year, by
means of long ladder placed against the
| foot of the cliff, he proceeds to collect the
eggs. OF these there are at most three to
! each nest, and the number taken averages
from 5000 to 10000 annually, or the produce
| of, say 5000 pairs of birds. Ropes are not
used for this purpose at Svaerholt, as they
I are in the Farce Isles, so that the highest
of the above figures represent only very
small percentage of the yearly production
of the colony, as far the greater portion OF
| the cliff face, where the nests are packed
as closely as they can be, remains abso-
| utely untouched.
The food of these.multitudes of birds dur
ing the summer months consists for the
most part of fish spawn (more particularly
that of the Goldfish, which is abundant in
these northern waters) and of the small
| crustacea, which are driven to and fro by
the currents along the coast in immense
masses. To the latter belong the tiny or
ganisms Calanus Finmarchicus and Eu-
phausia inermis, the favorite food respect
lively of the whales, Balaenoptera borealis
and B. Sidbaldii, when these giants ap-
proach the mouths of the great fiords in
July and August. In winter the famous
cliff is com pletely deserted. By the end of
August the young gulls are able to take
care of themselves and all take their de-
parture to return no more until the follow
ing year in the month of March.-Fort-
nightly Review.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-04-12
LITTLE MOLLIE MER|MON
Kentucky'S Girl Evangelist,
Who Has Converted Her
Thousands.
She Is the Daughter of a Circuit
Rider and Is Known Far
and Near.

The great revival that has swept Eastern
Kentucky has among its most successful
evangelists pale, but very bright, girl.
She is filling the very largest church here
and the story of her life is far from the
ordinary.
Her name is Mollie Merimon, daughter
of D. H. Merimon, circuit rider in the
Methodist Episcopal Church, South.
When years old an attack of scarlet
fever left her apparently dead. She was
prepared for the grave, and the coffin had
been lowered, when the frantic mother re-
fused to be quieted until she saw her baby
once more.
When the coffin was opened, the physi-
clan, who was present, noticed something
unusual IN the appearance Of the supposed
corpse. 1t was taken out and found to be
alive. But never afterward was the girl
free day from violent pain.
Scrofula existed IN its most repulSive
form for years. When she was Is scarlet
fever again attacked her, and she once more
apparently died, and would have been
buried, but that the mother would not per-
NIT it. After six days she was resusci-
tated, and her health for two years was
the best she ever knew.
At the age of Is she was thrown from a
carriage, sustaining sprained ankle. This
threw her into excruciating commissions.
She sometimes had as many as $50 in a
single day. No doctor would attempt to
set the foot, and for two years she used
clutches.
While in this condition she was taken i'll
with congestion of the lungs, and from
May to August was unconscious. She has
no remem brance of what occurred during
those months.
The first day that she was able to walk
she fell, and, curious fact, threw the
sprained ankle back into place.
She felt that she must preach the gospel,
though she refused to be anything but a
plain member of the church. Since last
September 1000 persons have been con-
verted through her efforts. She is known
in the mountain counties as 'The Little
Messenger"
Her height is just 4 feet 10 inches and
she weighs Y pounds. She holds as many
as four services a day, travelling sixty miles
on horseback, and talking again at night
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-04-12

jockeyship. He also landed the Expert
ment gelding in front.
Bookmaker Rose took considerable
money out of the ring by Mulberry's win.
Abe Levy thought Flirtilla had chance
to beat Flashlight, and placed a few
hundreds on her.
By Holly played Nero to win the hurdle
race.
Al Stanford received his share of the
run-up money due him from the steeple-
chase Tuesday. Secretary Milroy handed
him check for the $3.50 yesterday.
Ed Purser won $1,000 over the victory of
Howard in the second race, but lost $1,000
of it back to the bookies in the next race
by playing Brodhead.
Thomas Fl. Williams Jr., Captain J. w.
Lees and John Farley left last evening for
Los Angeles to attend the La Fiesta cele-
bration. Starter Il. D. Brown also left by
the same train for the southern race-meet,
where he does the starting.
After booking had begun on the opening
race Yesterday it was discovered that Nor
mandie and Myron were entered in the
same interest. This being contrary to
selling race rules all bets were declared off,
and later Normandie was scratched.
Young Piggott rode good race on May
Day, but was little outclassed by Griffin
when he came to d drive.
Following are to-day's entries:
First race, eleven-!sixteenths of mile, sell
Mamie Scott 81, Cadeau &c. J 0 LOG, Seam
stress 100, Swiftsure Ill, Bluebell LOG.
second race, half mile, selling, two-year-olds
.Donsarra loo GyPsett4e colt II, d9o Rose So,
Maid 10S Idalia colt sS.
Third race, three-quarters of a mile, handi-
cap-Bellicose 112, Quirt los, Charles A 103,
Playful 1oe, Fanny Louise SO, Grand Lady 50,
Find Out 81.
Fourth race, one mile, seling-Mary 90,
Jack Richelieu 40, Eckert 50, Roma 50, lingo
mar 1903 Charmer 80.
Fifth race, about three-quarters of mile,
selling-hIodesto 1906 Normandie 100, Nephew,
100, Tobey 81, Annie Moore 80, seraphin SO,
Lodi 101
selling-Don Fulano 100, Sir Richard 100, Arc
tic 100 Miss Ruth 93, Mollie 81, Boreas 80,
ClacQner 100, Polaski 100, Chartreuse 90.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-04-12
COMMISSIONERS WAITS TALKS.
He Tells Why the Labor Bureau Has Been
Failure.

He Tells Why the Labor Bureau Has Been
Failure.
els the Bureau of Labor Statistics in
your opinion accomplishing the ends for
which it was organized?"
This question was asked of Labor Com
missioner George w. Waits yeste rday and
elected the following reply:
This is hard question and one which
| do not care to answer"
Then Mr.. Waits went on to answer the
question in his own way.
'The Labor Bureau began the Com
missioner, "might be made a most useful
department to manufacturers and working
men alike. That it has been a failure in
the past is entirely due to the fact that
there exists in California a lamentable
dearth OF interest in matters with which
the bureau has to deal. Labor unions
seem to have an idea that this bureau was
instituted for their especial benefit. The
law is very explicit on the duties of the
Commissioner. 1t says that it shall be his
duty to collect, assert, systematic and pre-
sent In biennial reports to the Legislature
statistical details relating to all depart
ments of labor in the State.
The idea, as clearly set forth, was to get
information relative to the condition of
bic to attain this object. Why? Simply
because, as l have stated, there is no in
terest taken in the matter among the
people. They will not answer questions.
A Commissioner attempting to get I'D
statistical tables and thus doing his whole
duty as defined by law is met with rebuffs
at every turn and often with open insult
Statistical information requires vast
amount of inquiry. Go to man in Cali
fornia, and especially in San Francisco,
and ask him about his business. He will
tell you in nine cases out of ten that his
business is none of yours. They seem to
regard all inquiry as impertinence, even
though made under cover of law The
working man is the same. 1 found this
out when | tried to make up a table of
wages in the various industries. On all
sides one was met with the answer, None
of your business what we are earning
1T is utterly impossible at the present
time to get correct information bearing
upon the condition of industries in this
State for the reasons stated above
'.The last Legislature left the bureau in a
bad state. No appropriation was made
and yet the proposition to abolish it was
crushed. Either one thing or the other
should have been done"
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-04-12

sition was accepted and on Monday three
pigeons were sent to Oroville. They were
put on short diet, as usual before race,
kept in dark room and allowed plenty of
water. At 5 minutes of IL on Tuesday
they were liberated from the Mercury office
in the presence of four or five hundred spec
tators, and striking the line Immediately
set ont for home.
Mr.. Carlisle was at once advised by tele-
graph that the birds had started. He re-
ceived the message in his Office at Alt
Montgomery street and at once dispatched
favorite bird that he had taken over in
the morning to his home in Berkeley with
the telegram and note to his wife, asking
her to look out for the arrival of the birds
between 80 and 2 O'Clock. At seven
minutes after 2 Mercury" struck the loft
at Berkeley A few minutes later "71''
arrived, but the third bird has not been
heard from. The distance covered was 1913
miles, which would make the time an
average of 3S15 miles an hour. This is
considered good work for a young bird,
whose experience on the wing has been
confined to races between Berkeley, Marys-
Vile, Oroville and Sacramento. Mr.. Carl
isle is very proud of Mercury and thinks
that the bird will develop great racing
qualities.
Pigeon-racing bids fair to become a pop
ular sport Societies for the promotion of
this pastime are springing into existence
all over the country and fanciers are num-
bered by the thousand.
The best record eXtant of the usefulness
of these swift-winged messengers is that
made during the siege of Paris at the close
of the Franco-Prussian War. While the
German armies were encamped about the
French capital and all communication with
the outside world was cut off, no less than
!. $1,000 messages were borne into the city
from different parts of France by homing
pigeons. The messages carried were re-
duced to microscopic dimensions by being
photographed on collodion, and were pro-
jected by aid of an electric magic lantern
in magnificent form upon a large screen.
After this manner one bird was capable of
bearing no less than 10000 messages.
France now expends annually upon its
pigeon lofts the sum of $50 900. After the
Franco-Prussian war other nations were
quick to establish carrier pigeon service.
Upon this service Russia now spends an
nually $4,000 Germany $4,000 and Austria
$1,000 Italy maintains pigeon service for
the detection of smugglers by sending
messages from Government vessels to the
mainland with information as to the
actions and whereabouts of contraband
workers.
The maximum distance for young bird
is 200 miles; for a well-developed homer
500 miles.
Extraordinary performances, as from
Montgomery, Ala, to Fall River, Mass, a
distance of 1040 miles, while not unusual
in the countries of Europe, are rare in the
United States.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-04-12
THE PET SQUIRREL.
He Has Stirring Experience in
Indiana Colony.

He Has a Stirring Experience in an
Indiana Colony.
In the gray squirrel colony near South
Bend, Ind, there exists good illustration
of the survival of the fittest" doctrine.
The squirrels are fed by the neighbors, and
this makes their life happy one at this
season of the year Twenty generations of
squirrels have been raised in the colony,
and the continued domesticity has de-
prived them of many of their wild traits.
Recently lady in South Bend thought
Zip, her pet squirrel, was becoming too
much worried by close captivity and de-
cided to take him to the colony. When
first released he made strenuous efforts to
climb tree. His claws had been so much
dulled and his legs so weakened by cap
tivity that he could only ascend four OF
five feet, and then would fall to the
ground.
The first day of his coming was an espe-
cially eventful one, for night fell without
Zip having nest to go to. Mrs. Conklin
was particularly disturbed over what
might happen if he was not housed. She
even tried to inveigle him back into his
cage, in order to start him out earlier in
the morning, but, hard as his experience
was, Zip had had taste of the forest, and
resented all her enticements. He even bit
the hand that offered to catch him, and he
growled and chartered in a way that would
scare strangers. Finally he was led by a
little trickery into the parlor OF cottage
and there penned up until he grew weary
enough to sleep, and, making warm nest
of young lady's winter jacket, he got
through the night in manner that was
comfortable enough. The next day he
showed an indisposition to resume his
woodland researches, and he remained in
his nest, greeting every one who came
near him with display OF bad temper. He
,nd +ba ravt dev .,d niobt Ana than -
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-04-12
Shooting the Bt,serocks .

LONDON, ONT, April lin the Lon
don Gun Club tournament the first event
OF the day was one shoot-off in squads OF
SIX at bluerocks for five prizes of $40 each.
Andrews of Sardinia, N. Y, scored 10, tax
ing first money.
The second event, for similar purse IN
five equal prizes at twenty bluerocks, Ed
Graham of Sault Ste Marie and Strong OF
st. Thomas first money with 10, and Wolfe
of Detroit and Shine of st. Thomas second
with II. First money in the third event,
shooting at eighteen bluerocks from three
unknown traps for purse OF 500, was
divided between Andrews and Shine,
each II
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-04-12
Italian Legal Functionartes.

In Italy any unfortunate who owes 10
per cent finds his little debt run up by
Sheriffs' officers, tribunal expenses and all
the manifold charges of notaries, attorneys
and advocates to 200 per cent before he has
time to breathe or realize his situation,
and the forced sales are so conducted that
the property sold produces nothing for any
one except the State and the auctioneers.
The State takes its percentage first, before
even the creditors, and thus is caused the
avidity by which all State officials and
myrmidoms drag to ruin, by intrigue and
extortion, d large majority of the Italian
tax-paying public. Note the salaries paid
to the officials of the tribunals in Italy and
judge If such officials are not invited and
forced to ruin the mass Of the people.
Where a County Court Judge in England
has $1,000 or $4,000 q year, he receives here
the equivalent of f40 or perhaps $50, per
annum. All the lesser functionaries are
paid in proportion. The Guidice Cuncilia-
tore, who answers to the Juge de la Paix in
France and to the police magistrate in
England is paid sometimes at the rate of
Ego per annum, sometimes not at
all; the pockets of the appellants at his
court must maintain him. 1t can readily
be understood that all these hungry func-
tionaries oil the law, big and little, live on
the public perforce, and that almost any
lnlqulty or injustice may be obtained I'M
der their RUE money be largely enough
and secretly enough expended. Your
splendor is my dishonor," said Bacon to
his magnificent liyeried servingman, who
rose to meet him when he entered court to
stand upon his trial.
The Italian iunctionaries may say to the
Italian Themis: THAT we have coats to
our backs and rings on our fingers is your
dishonor, for you do not pay US enough to
enable us to get either honestly" Not
withstanding this miserable pay which they
receive, Italy spends on the administration
of law 133, 100000 francs--i. e., 1000, 900
francs more than France Tin comparison to
the population), and Il, 900 900 francs more
than England. The public who contribute
all these millions get little or nothing for
their monsy.-Ouida, in the Fortnightly
Review.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-04-12
ON TENNESSEE Tracks.
Surprises the Order of the Day at Mas
rifle and MelnnhiS.

Surprises the Order of the Day at Nash
riIIe and Memphis.
NASHVILLE, Tenn, April 11.-Track
fairly good. Two favorites, two second
choices and an outsider won.
Five and half furlongs, George Miller
wen, Martha Griffin second, Leoneu third.
Time, 1:092l.
Four furlongs, Epona won, Maid of
Honor second, Luti Lewis third. Time,
:491z.
One mile, Lady Pepper won, Tancred
second, Sam Y third. Time, 1:45.
Seven-eighths of mile, Ray won, Cur
ator second, Rasper third. Time, 1870.
Seven and a half furlongs Tom Elmore
won, DR.. Work second, Jaja third. Time,
l 30.
MEMPHIS, Tenn, April 1.-THE sensa-
ton of the day at Montgomery Park was
the win" OF Tennyson, with odds of 100
TO l on him. Four favorites, one second
choice and one outsider captured the six
events. Track fast. Attendance 5000.
Five furlongs, Potentate won, Pop Gray
second Ell Captain third. Time, l: 021z.
Six furlongs, Handspun won, Moderico
second, Jane third. Time, 1:16H.
Handicap, one and a sixteenth miles,
Santiago won, Prince Carl second, Wells
Street third Time, 500.
Four furlongs, Tennyson won, Warren
Point second, Sir Play third. Time :5OH.
One mile, imp. Percy won, Glad second,
Boon third. Time, 443l.
Six furlongs, selling, Booze won, Bur
ren's Billet second, Long Ago third. Time,
III
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-04-12
No Risks on a Parrot.

A woman who was carrying a parrot in
a cage stopped a Baker-street car at
Twelfth street the other afternoon, and as
she got aboard she seated herself close to a
man at the front end of the car. No sooner
had the horses started up again than the
man made haste to get a seat on the other
side of the car.
''Polly won't bite you'll" snapped the
woman as she looked across at him.
mo; mebbe she won't" replied the
man, "but Pm not going to take any risks
on parrot One called me liar few
days ago over in Windsor. and I've just
got over the worst pair of black eyes you
ever saw poulticed with beefsteak. DE
troit Free Press.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-04-12
ROBBED BY BOY FOOTPADS.
John O'Day Jr. Is Held Up in the West
ern Addition.

John O'Day Jr. was held up by two foot
pads Wednesday night at the corner of
Devisadero and Grove streets. The young
man, who made quite a record as page in
the Assembly of which his father was a
member, made no resistance when he was
ordered to hold up his hands.
When he was told to give upshis money,
he unhesitatingly turned over all the coin
in his pockets-a nickel which was to have
served as his carfare. Two bundles which
the lad was carrying were unmolested.
Young Master O'Day is II years of age.
He says the footpads were boys about 16
years of age. In discussing the matter OF
the spoils, one of the robbers spoke of
settling the business in camp" This
would indicate that the youngsters are a
part of an organized band of boys DESTROYS
of emulating the deeds OF dime novel
heroes
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-04-12
Puofrist Green Disappears.

LOS ANGELES, April 11.-George F.
Green, otherwise known as ''Young Cor
bett," who succeeded in getting local
sporting reporter to put up $50 deposit to
meet Professor Billy Gallagher in fifteen
round glove-fght, has mysteriously disap-
peared, and the much talked-of fight is off
He left on the Santa Fe overland to-day
and announced to one of his assistants that
he intended going to New York.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-04-12
LATIGNE WINS FAIRLY,
Bait Hts Fight With Marshall Is Declared
DrGaC.

CHICAGO, Ill, April 1.-THE eight
round contest between kid" Lavigne of
Saginaw, Mich, and Jerry Marshall of
Australia, which came off before the Tri-
angle Club tonight, was declared draw,
as the conditions provided that if both
men were on their feet at the close of the
eighth round it was to be draw. Lavigne
did all the leading and fighting from first
to last. Marshall was very clever in getting
away and did not receive much punish
ment. Lavigne weighed 134 and Marshall
IA Referee Siler said he considered
Lavigne had fairly won.
After the fight Lavigne was arrested on
an old capias, issued after the defeat of Ed
Meyer near Streator, ILL.,, two years ago.
He was later released on bail. He claims
to have at the time of his first arrest paid
a fine of $3.50.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-04-12
One Ffnht Declared on.

NEW YORK, n. Y, April ia private
cablegram received here to-day announces
that the fight between Frank Craig and
Ted Pritchard, which was to take place in
London Saturday night, has been declared
off. Pritchard was taken with severe
chill Tuesday and is now confined to his
bed with an attack of pneumonia.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-04-12
johnson accents the Challeuoe.

NEW YORK, n. Y, April II. = T. w.
Eek, the representative of J. S. Johnson,
the champion wheelman, says he will
tomorrow sign articles for the Johnson
Sanger race, and announces that Johnson
has decided to accept the challenge of f. ].
Titus for race of twenty or twenty-five
miles, or for one hour.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-04-12

ing fully refreshed, started out to try again
the experiment of woodland life.
At first he showed not the slightest con-
Germ at the presence of cats and dogs, and
it was necessary to protect him against
these animals. Several severe experiences
with them, however, taught him better,
and he now runs away from them as we'll
as his companions.-C TimesHer-
oil
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-04-12
SAN JOSE ROAD CLUE.
Directors Meet and Eject officers for til
Ensuing Year.


SAN JOSE, CAL, April 1.-THE direc-
tors OF the San Jose Road Club met yester-
day afternoon and elected the following
officers: President J. T. Bailey; vice
president, c. fischer; secretary, R. D..
Mcfarland; treasurer, C. J. BelloIi; SER
geant Al Louis; captain, c. C. Peppin;
first lieutenant, Gus Navlet; second lieu
tenant, NJ O'Brien.
. 1t was decided to send committee to
San Francisco to make arrangements to
secure the Central Park track for race
meet in June
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-04-12

In 1888 the Thames and all other rivers
of England and Scotland froze over The
Seine, Rhine and Danube were closed to
NAVIGATION early in December. The Oar
danelles and Hellespont froze, as did many
bays and inIets Of the Mediterranean. Ice
formed in Algiers and the Strait of Glib
raltar was almost impossible from drift
ice.