The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-08-25
OF IAN I FRANCISCO
MEN AND EVENTS
IN TIE FlFTIEs.
BY L1j55r}JJoGN

"I saw in THE CALL few days SINCE"
said Colonel Reuben D. Strong to me,
''that Charley Cough had passed away.
He was one of the men who figured
in the fifties-he and his brother Harry.
They were twins. When l first knew them
in '57 Harry was Inspector OF Weights and
Measures; that was one of the old-tlme
offices, the duty of the officer being to ex-
anime all weights and measures annually,
stamp them if they were correct and re-
ceive 81 so for every impression OF his
name; a nice fat Office it was. Later l
knew them as contractors. l do not
believe that there ever were twins
who looked so much alike; they
were of the same height, of the same
build, and what was more remarkable their
voices were so similar that it wase impossi-
bic to distinguish the speech of one from
that of the other. They dressed exactly
alike, black frock suits, with white vests,
and in warm weather each wore Panama
straw hat, made of the finest of straw, and
which cost SIS each. Each had long,
red, bushy beard, trimmed in exactly the
same manner; in fact, they were so much
alike that you could not tell t'other from
which. WHAT sport they used to have
with those who had dealings with them
will be remembered by many old-timers.
a man who had ordered work done by
Harry would meet Charley and complain
that the work was not being done accord
ing to contract. Charley would protest
that he was not responsible, and then an
explanation was always in order.
ION one occasion canvasser for the
directory entered their Office, which was on
Merchant street. stated his business, and,
after obtaining the name, occupation and
residence of Harry, retired and entered
room adjoining, and there saw seated at
desk, as he supposed, the man whose
name be had Just taken. He excused him
self. saying: I'm canvassing names for
the directory, but I've just taken yours
Think not said Charley, for it was he
who was at the desk. Think yes retorted
the canvasser. I've Just taken your name
and have it in my book Permit me to
look at your book said Charley, extend
ing his hama. He took the book. examined
it for a moment, and then as he returned
it said: Excuse me if 1 question
the correctness of your statement,
but my name is not on your
book. The last name you have entered is
Henry 0. Cough; that is not my name.
The canvasser looked at Charley then
around the room and saw a door that
opened into the room he had just left He
concluded that the man with the red
beard had come out OF the other room and
was trying to amuse himself at his ex-
pense. Thereupon he lost his temper and
exclaimed: What do you take me for; a
blamed fool? Think I'm going to stand
any of your nonsense, coming out of one
room irto another and then trying to make
me believe that l haven't taken your
name? Well, if you do you're blamed
badly Mistaken and with that he
slammed the door as he went out. That
year the name of Charles II. Cough did
not appear in the city directory. What
has become of Harry?"
Harry" informed him, died in this
City on the 28th day OF May 1870, the same
day that Bill Zabriskie, one CT the bright
and popular members of the bar of the
time after the consolidation of the City
and County, passed away. | also told the
colonel that l was acquainted with the
twins and that although | saw them
almost every day never could be certain
as to the one or the other. On one occa-
sion Charley became involved in quarrel
with a man in all Office at lumber-yard
on Steuart street about the quality of lum-
Der delivered and some hard words
were exchanged. Charley slapped the
The lumberman rushed to the City Hall
and obtained warrant for the arrest of
the man who had slapped him. AS he left
the hall in company with the officer who
had been detailed to serve the warrant he
saw red-bearded man on the opposite
side OF Merchant street. Nudging the
officer and pointing with his fneer, he
said: 'There'syou man now" The Off
Ger walked across the street, and, being
well acquainted with the contractor, adj
dressed him Familiarity. Harry, I've got a
warrant against you for battery" Harry
protested, on the ground that he had not
battered anybody, but he being informed
that he was the one who had been pointed
out as the offender quietly submitted to
arrest, and then deposited cash bail to Sc
cure hisFe1ease. When the case came up
for trial the complainant told his little tale
of woe, and positively identified the de-
fendant as the man who had struck him.
The more closely he was cross-examined
the more positive he became that he could
not be mistaken in the man. The attorney
for the twin in court whispered to
a man who was seated alongside
of him and he retired. In few moments
chair by the side of his brother. They sat
there, each chewing quill toothpick, and
faced the witness, who was requested to
look at the two men and point out which
one had slapped his face. The witness
seemed like one dazed, but be managed
after few seconds to say that it was the
one or the other who had laid hands on
him, but preiaeed his answer with
words he afterward wished he had not
spoken, for the court threatened to COM
nit him for contempt. The witness apol-
ogized and added, Judge, I'm beat, so
think you had better dismiss this case"
There being no legal proof, the case was
dismissed and Harry drew down his bail
money which was used to set 'em up for
the boys.
Looking from this point" said the
colonel, 81 see what we used to call Russian
Hill"
at is still known by that name," said
to him.
"Well, I'm glad that they have retained
some of the old names" continued the
colonel. az walked up to the top OF the hill
a day or two ago, and what struck me as
singular were those curious-shaped I'M
painted houses on the apex. 1t was on the
top of that hill that the first legal sentence
of death was carried out-of course | mean
in San Francisco"
There had been other hangings. Jenkins,
Stewart, alias Berdue, Whitaker and
Mckenzie were strung up by the Vigil
lance Committee. But it was on that hill
that the first man was hanged by order Of
q court.