The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-03-09

tory of Henry J. Powell, better known as
the "paralyzed old xylophone-player,
whose stand for years has been on the cor
ner of Suffer and Kearny streets. In the
description Of this cripple it was shown
conclusively that Powell had got together
some money and was in every way fit
subject to be an inmate of a home or
charitable asylum.
Several details of his painful career have,
however, not been published. These are
details which cast a pleasant light upon
the benevolence OF certain citizens, while
showing how lucrative the business of
begging has proved in the past at choice
Stands
Perhaps the one man who knows more
about Powell than any other is Charles A.
Fechhelmer, who keeps store on Kearny
street. 1t was intimated by some of
PowelPs acquaintance that Powell had an
interest in this store, but further investiga-
ton shows that the suggestion was I'M
founded. The rumor grew out of the chart
table interest of Mr.. Fechheimer, the pro-
prietor, in the welfare of the old man.
1t seems that Mr.. Fechheimer, when he
took possession of the store on Kearny
street, found that Powell had for long
time been in the habit of going to the
store and paying in all the money he made
by his begging. Mr.. Fechheimer, while
recognizing the obligation of custom, was
anxious that Powell should receive the full
fruit of his collection. He suggested that
Powell should obtain interest on his de-
posits, and to that end secured for him a
deposit book with the Savings Union Bank,
close at hand.
Thereafter Mr.. Fechheimer received varl-
Gus sums from Powell. He would bring
In 500 or 500, sometimes as much as 500, at
intervals OF a month or two. Mr.. Fech-
helmer would take the money in its condi-
uon-ln dimes and nlCkelS-assume the
trouble of counting it and then change the
amount into gold from his own safe.
No matter what the discount might be
for gold" said Mr.. Fechheimer yesterday,
Il would invariably change the small
amounts for gold and place it in the bank
to Powells account. He has not paid in
anything recently, but the amount he has
on hand in the bank at present is $500 or
5000. George LOOMS had the store be-
fore me-
1.-THE old man ought to be in home"
continued Mr.. Fechheimer. ''He has no
right to be on the streets, and | have tried
for long time to obtain his admission to
the German Altenheim at Fruitvale and
may yet succeed.
His only object, so far as l am able
to ascertain it, is to secure admission to
some such charitable institution, and had
not times been hard of late he might have
been able to realize his object. At any rate
he ought not to be on the streets. Though
a fit object OF charity, he is certainly an
eyesore on the public thoroughfares."
Mr.. Fechheimer yesterday said: 81 not
only changed Powell's money, but if he
required any goods l offered to furnish the
same free of charge. This the old man
was unwilling to accept, SO that had to be
content with selling him articles at
nominal price. Thus, if Powell wanted
pair of shoes, and would refuse to accept
them as a present, I would sell them to
him at 81 pair, though the legitimate
price might be 49,
In the same way Mr.. Fechheimer and his
family have taken great interest in the
Altenheim and other charitable enter
prises. Mr.. Fechheimer's brother-in-law,
S. w. Levy, is well known in good work of
this character.