davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-03-24

A vague idea that something is wrong in
the matter OF the hat is inferred from vari-
Gus devices which are employed to secure
Ventilation. These devices are good so far
as they go, but they are absurdly made
quate I take sunlight to be equally as
vital to the health Of the hair (and that
means the health of the scalp, and hats
ruthlessly exclude it altogether. To my
mind the hat is as pernicious as it is I'M
necessary. 1t has not only crowded aside
nature purpose in the matter of a cover
ing, but has assaulted the means which she
employed to make that service operative.
1t not only conyinces her of the useless
ness of her effort, and to that extent tends
to make her cease it, but adds violence to
the encouragement. 1t is rare thing
that natural purpose is thus doubly as
sailed, and it would be surprising if the
assault did not succeed.
As a woman's hair is her glory, she takes
better care OF it than a man does of his.
She not only refrains from numbering it
with shears, but she frequently combs and
cleans it. 1 have already mentioned the
presence of electricity in the hair. Comb
ing and brushing release it, and likely this
release has wholesome effect on the pro-
cesses of growth. Whatever doctors may
say about the great value of cleanliness, it
is possible that combing and brushing are
far more important. The pulling which
these processes involve is sort of massage,
and massage is an exceedingly good thing.
The sleekeSt horse is the one that is best
groomed.
Possibly, perfect cleanliness is advisable,
but somehow l cannot keep the savage and
his uncleanliness and his abundant hair
out of mind. The doctors will say great
deal about bacilli, which infest the hair,
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-03-24

on, for several months, all the little birds
on our restaurant bills of fare will be
meadow larks 1t will not be lawful to
kill or sell any others until the next sea-
son opens
So we shall eat the meadow lark
So far but one protesting voice has been
heard against the vandalism that, in
protecting our other songsters, has
left the lark to the mercy of the hunt
ers. The CALL of the 18th inst. printed an
editorial on the subject.
That editorial promptly brought out the
following letter:
Editor Cali. Your remarks in reference to
the preservation of the -so-called meadow
lark were well timed. From the practical side
the most important reason why the killing OF
the bird should be at all times interdicted is
that it is an insectivorous bird, and probably,
on this account, the most valuable bird We
have in the State to the horticultural.
Ii sentiment cannot engage the attention of
the Legislature, the fact that the bird has an
economical value may induce its inclusion in
the category of birds exempted from slaughter.
Professor Whitney, in his "Ornithology of
California, places the meadow lark in the
thrush family; and 10 prevent some lawyer
from raising the point 1t would be well 10 give
the bird its scientific name, followed by the
lark" w. MAsLIN.
1t is too late to do anything just now for
the protection of the bird, save by awaken
ing such public sentiment against such
slaughter as to make their appearance in
our markets a shock to the sensibilities of
every man and woman. If our house
keepers and caterers will refuse to buy
them dealers will not purchase them OF
the hunters, and thus few may be saved
We should, however, lose no time in ere
ating this sentiment, or, at the rate the
birds are now being destroyed, there will
be none in the State for the next Legisla-
ture to protect. There are two indict-
ments brought against the meadow lark.
First, it is alleged that he Is not song
bird.
Second, that he destroys the grain crop
Does the meadow lark sing? We have
seen what Ina Coolbrith heard him sing
but Miss Coolbrith is a poet. She may
have heard only the sweet trilling spring
the singer to be the little bird yonder in
the wheat field. So, being poet, she may
not be competent witness.
But here is the testimony of musician,
and of a musician too, whom most OF us
know. Mrs. Ivy Wandesford kersey writes
from Haywards, giving her experience IN
the matter. Mrs. Kersey has made sci
entific study of the song of the meadow
lark AS result of this study she has
collection of thirty-fve different songs
which the meadow lark has sung to her,
and which she has written down, note for
note. She says:
AFTER writing down about thirtty-five
songs | concluded | was only at the begin
ming of my work, and then circumstances
put an end to my observations for time.
The song of the lark is contained exactly
in the octave. Some are delicately en-
bellished by grace notes and some are
simplicity itself. The same bird will vary
its song within few minutes and practice
on new note like the most ambitious
nrirna donna before making another
change. Apart from the usefulness of the
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-03-24
WERE FORCED TO WITHDRAW
OKELL, DONNELL & Co. LEAVE THE
INSURANCE COMPACT SUD-
DENLY.
UNION MANAGERS WANT TO SUs
PEND RATES AND FIGHT
COMPETITORS.

Okell, Donnell & Co., agents of the
Patriotic, Franklin and Westchester fire
insurance companies on the Pacific coast,
withdrew from the Board of Fire Under
writers of the Pacific yesterday, and sur
prised their associates
Each detection from the compact is
watched with unfeigned concern by the
insurance managers, who cannot but fore
see in 1t an approaching dissolution of the
union and its consequent war in rates. AS
there are nine companies now out of the
compact, matters have assumed a serious
aspect.
The combine to maintain rates is met
with opposition from the Phoenix, Home
Continental Northwestern National, West
chester, Franklin, Patriotic and Williams
burg City, nearly all of which are promi-
ne Mt companies writing insurance literally
all over the coast. At least two other gen.
eral agents are expected to resign from the
compact any day this week, and then it
will be only mere matter of time before
the union dissolves.
Okell, Donnell & Co. are conservative
insurance men, who would not take such
steps as withdrawal from the union with
out very good cause. Mr.. Donnell said
his firm s action was taken in the interest
of the companies he represents.
eve have always kept faith with the or
ganization," said he, land been loyal in
our support to the compact. But all bust
ness has come to be carried on regardless
of rules, and we concluded it would be
simply suicide to continue under restraint
| of pledge to the compact to maintain
rates.
The city agents Of the Prussian National
Company have ceased to send a represent
alive to meetings of the ''local board, -
composed of city agents and counter-men.
For more than a week past the compact
has been discussing motion to suspend
rates in San Francisco, SO that free fight
can be made against the new board con-
Germs, and by that means hasten settle
ment among all managers on the burning
question of rates. Owing to differences of
opinion on the subject no action has been
taken so far. However, there is no doubt
| whatever that the board companies are
cutting against each other, which fact
| is vouched for by men OF standing in and
out of the compact.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-03-24

larks: "They feed chiefly on insects,
grass seeds and grain, but do no damage in
the fields, while they destroy many noxious
insects"
There is no bird in California so genu-
inely useful to the agriculturist as the lark,
save, perhaps, the owl. Nor is there any
bird that can be more readily gotten ria of.
There are not so very many of them, and
the chances are always against their rapid
multiplication. Nature has not been kind
to them in the protective sense. She prob
ably never imagined that so useful crea-
ture would need protection other than
what man would gladly give him. Their
claws are SO arranged that they cannot
readily perch on trees, but must walk and
rest on the ground. There they build
their nests, and these often fall prey to
small predaceous beasts, sparrow hawks
even dogs. They are slow, laborious fly
ers, usually the easiest shot, on the wing,
that even a tyro could wish for. As they
do not fly In tiocks they are not shot, but
Melted, for market. At dusk, when the
little singers have settled down for the
night, the hunters go over the fields with
drag nets and gather them in by scores, to
be leisurely killed and prepared for mar
ket
As this is the breeding season, the eggs
and young birds left behind perish, and at
the present rate it will not be more than
half dozen years before the lark has van
ished from our fields. This should not be.
While there are other song birds in the
State, the lark is the only one that sings
the year round. Others sing only in the
mating season, but the larks sing all the
time, save when moulting, and even the
female has pretty song. She will perch
upon a nearby fence or a fiat stone and
sing away for dear life to her mate in the
nest, for the birds take turns relieving each
other in parental duty. Sometimes, how
ever; instead of singing to him she seems
to be scolding him. There is decidedly
petulant and querulous chirp to her note
at these times that always makes one feel
sure that the patient little cock is ''catch-
ing it" He never replies in the same
/ tone. Indeed, he does not seem to have
! that particular note at all. Possibly the
/ female lark may be bit of shrew, but il
+ so she must have other charms that atone
/ for this fault, for the Iarks are notedly
among the most loving and devoted OF
ornithological couples.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-03-24

thrive on it, and even burrow down into
the follicle and steal the essences intended
for the production of hair and the things
which go with it. These little beasts have
dreadfully hard Latin names, which they
ought to be very proud of. The only way
to get rid of them is by the use of some
germicide.
Here is the prescription which one of
the ablest physicians in San Francisco has
given me: Wash the hair once week
with tar soap, giving the scalp at
the same time very vigorous massage;
water; wipe the hair as dry as possible,
then rub into the scalp solution of one
part of corrosive sublimate to one thousand
parts of water; then soften the hair with
castor oil cut with alcohol; use the brush
OH the scalp freely every day. Wash the
brush and comb once in while with the
| corrosive sublimate solution.
| By this process the scalp and hair are
| cleaned, all bacilli are killed, and the
healthy action of the arteries and capil-
laries is induced. 1t would be superfIuous
! to say that Immediately after visit to
| barber-shop the beard should be subjected
| to this vigorous treatment. All the various
| skin and scalp diseases contracted there
| are the work of bacilli.
| These suggestions and speculations
might be extended, but so long as men will
/ be so foolish as to cut their hair and wear
| hats the case seems hopeless. Neverthe-
less, if l were a young and ambitious
physician, l would give the energies of my
| life to the investigation at least of doing
what human ingenuity may to assist
nature in overcoming the artificial evils
| which we have so wantonly thrust upon
ourselves. The forms of quackery that
have grown out of them are of infinite
| variety and more or less dangerous.
! If, as layman, were asked for pre-
| ventive of badness | would say never wear
| a hat and never cut the hair, the other con-
ditions will take care of themselves. 1t
may be remarked that the time to begin
not wearing a hat is in infancy. If were
asked to suggest remedy for encroaching
badness, without changing the unnatural
treatment to which we subject our heads,
l would recommend frequent massage of
the scalp and mild stimulant, applied at
infrequent intervals to encourage the blood
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-03-24
WILL SUE SHERIFF WHELAN
MRS. MARTIN IS ANXIOUS TO Re-
GAIN POSSESSION OF HER
PROPERTY.
SHE SAYS THE GOODS AND CHATTELs
WERE EXEMPT FROM
EXECUTION.

Mrs. Isabella Martin will demonstrate
that her reputation IS fighter to the last
breath is not undeserved unless Sheriff
Whelan complies with certain demands
she made upon him yesterday.
She has decided not to allow the officer
of the law to retain possession of the goods
Thursday evening, without legal battle,
and has hired an attorney to look after
her interests.
By his advice she sent the Sheriff the
following document yesterday:
In the case of ]. J. Rauer VS.. Mrs. Isabella
Martin.
To Richard I. Whelan, Sheriff of the city and
county of San Francisco:
You are hereby notified to forthwith return
TO 2215 Van Ness avenue, San Francisco, the
personal property taken there1rom by you on
the Dist day of March, 1895, under an execution
issued in the above-entitled action.
Said property at the time of said seizure by
you was necessary household furniture and is
also claimed bv Henry K. Hoffman.
i The value of the use OF said property is $50
per day, and we will hold you responsible for
the value thereof, to w.t. $500 and $50 per day
for detention, and also exemplary damages for
removing the same from the premises.
ISABELLA ]. MARTIN and
ISABELLA J. MARTIN
Guardian of Henry K. Hoffman.
Sheriff Whelan laughs at the threats of
suit. saying that he only acted on the or
ders of the court in which the Judgment
against Mrs. Martin was obtained, and also
that the goods seized were not of the kind
the law exempted from execution. His
deputy took possession of couple of fancy
chairs and tables, few pictures and stat
uettes, aud such other bric-a-brac as they
found about the rooms.
1t is probable that Mrs. Martin will go
unmolested as far as her personal liberty is
issued to the Sheriff to take her into Gus
tody. He has been advised by his attorney
that the law does not permit him to arrest
females in cases like the one in question.
]. ]. Rauer, on the other hand, claims
that the law is clear, and will try to induce
Justice Kerrigan to cite the Sheriff for
contempt unless his previous orders are
carried out.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-03-24
~4ag7HI1
nan.

suggested as to whether men and women
are really evolving on diyerging lines, and
might tend to answer it in the negative.
1t is clear, then, that men are violating
nature in cutting the hair; that by so do
ing they are weakening the desire of nature
to continue its production, and that they
are constantly doing physical injury to
the exceedingly susceptible agencies which
nature employs in the service. This, how
ever, seems in itself not to be sufficient to
induce badness, though its value as an aid
to that end cannot be questioned. We have
other agencies at work.
Apparently the most important of these
IS the hat. This sacrileglous creation
serves provided the head is covered with
halr) no useful purpose whatever. Ii it is
said that it at least keeps the sun from
blistering the face, | will answer that the
face would not blister if it was used to the
sun. The small hats that women wear do
not protect their faces, and their skin is
more delicate than mems. Nothing is
more evident than that hair is the best
protection that the head can have; and as
the hair was intended to be worn without
any protection, it is equally evident that
unless it is fully exposed to the air and
sunshine, it cannot be expected to be
healthy. Thus we have somelight on the
fact that the most scholarly and orderly
men are inclined to baldness-the sun
never has chance to shine on their un-
covered heads. We might take hint
from the hats which women wear; these
give comparatively free access to both air
and sunshine. Let it be kept always in
mind that air and sunshine are the greatest
tonics i'll the world, and then we may per-
haps understand why women and savages
are not inclined to badness.
And can no hint be taken from the fact
that badness comes on the top of the
head-the very part covered by the hat?
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-03-24

shot The damage done to growing crops by
iarks is, as rule, very slight.
Now, touching this very point comes a
letter from one of the best known agricul-
turists in this State, A. T. Hatch. Mr..
Hatch writes:
Some claim that the larks pull up our
grain by the roots and thus damage our
crops. This claim is not true in any cases
where the covering of earth is sufficient to
protect the seed against drouth. For in
stance, received one pound of seed wheat
from the Patent Office. Planted each grain
six inches. from another in rows sixteen
inches apart. In no instance more than
one grain in one place. Shortly after the
hrst appearance of growth [ found the
growth gone and little hole where each
grain had been planted. Every sign OF
growth gone. l was very angry with the
larks, yet | forgave them at harvest time
as l gathered sixty-ive pounds of wheat
from the one pound planted. The wheat
stooled better than if the birds had not
touched it, thereby increasing the crop"
There is o'more familiar name to Cali
fornians than that of Mrs. Buckingham,
the gifted and successful orchardist of
Vacayille. Mrs. Buckingham writes:
81 am fully in sympathy with the effort
that is being made for the protection of the
meadow lark. Ten years ago prohibited
the killing of these birds on my property.
Besides being the most charming song
sters we have, they destroy many insects,
and are, am convinced, a protection to
our fruit. / trust the laws protecting them
will be passed and rigidly enforced
Dr. Cooper, in his work on 1.-The Ornitho-
logy of California" published in the State
Geological Survey, says of the meadow
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-03-24

bird in the orchard, its harmlessness in
every way, it is one of our sweetest and
most joyous of singers"
From Haywards, too, comes another pro-
test, from Charles p Nettleton, the writer.
He SAYS: 'The meadow lark not singer
Why the man is fool! 1t is not necessary
for me to testify to the contrary, which
every child knows Over on the Carissa
Plain, in San Luis Obispo County, 1000 feet
above sea level, / heard the most glorious
song I ever heard in my life from a
meadow lark"
But Mr. Nettleton, too, has poets ma
ture, and may not be a competent witness.
Let us hear what a scientist has TO say In
the matter Here is something from John
Muir:
Better far, and more reasonable, it
would be to burn our pianos and violins
for tirewood, that to cook our divine mid
gets OF songlarks for food. The
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-03-24
WILL PETITION FOR McNULTY.
The Daughters of the Good Shepherd
Visit San Quentin.

The Daughters of the Good Shepherd
Visit San Quentin.
A number of ladies belonging to the
Daughters of the Good Shepherd went to
San Quentin yesterday to see McNulty, as
it is the intention of the society to circu-
late petitions this week praying for his lib
Grafton.
The convict was interviewed by Mrs. s.
M. Theall, the president, and several of
her aids-de-camp, and from the account he
gave of himself is was evident that his en-
forced retirement is not entirely devoid of
excitement. McNulty is in the hospital,
and he has charge of the murder Fred
ericks, "and he acts very wildly" said
McNultv. Sometimes he raves all hight
long and has to be kept most of the time
in strait jacket" The convict showed
feverish desire to know whether Fred
ericks had been finally condemned, but
the Daughters of the Good Shepherd
eyaded answering his question.
Several of the ladies were allowed to
visit the women's quarters, and were very
much surprised to see a big doll, dressed
with great care and elegance. sitting on a
chair in one of the rooms. at was made
by Hor See, Chinese woman" said the
matron. when Mrs. Worthington and her
baby went away the women missed the
child so terribly that Hor See made that
rag doll as a sort of substitute to comfort
herself with. l never saw anything like
the way every woman in the place idolized
the baby while it was here, and now it has
gone sort of gloom has fallen over them
ALL
Among those who accompanied the
Daughters of the Good Shepherd yesterday
were: Mrs. o. Gray, Mrs. Grisett, Mrs
Murray, Mrs. I. NJ. Thrasher, Carroll
Thrasher, Mrs. Marie Co1mer, Miss J.
Banks, I. Sullivan, Miss A. Murray.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-03-24

MEADOW LARKs
Sweet, sweet, sweet Oh. happy that ami
(Llsten to the meadow larks across the field that
sng)
Sweet, sweet, sweet o subtle breath of balm
Owinds that blow, o buds that grow, 0 rapture Of
the spring.
Sweet, sweet, sweet! o skies, serene and blue,
That shut the velvet pastures in; that fold the
mountains crest,
Sweet, sweet sweet What of the clouds ye knew?
The vessels ride golden tide upon a sea at rest
Who says that life is sorrowfu? Oh, life so glad,
so fleet,
All he who lives the mobiles. life finds life the
blest gain.
The years OF pain a tender rain TO keep the waters
sweet.
Sweet. sweet sweet! o happy world that is!
Dear heart hear across the field my matelng pipe
and call
Sweet, sweet, sweet, world so fun of bliss,
For life is love- the world is love- and love is over
all.
Thus, to that exquisite singer, Ina Cool
BIRTH, pipes the merry little meadow lark.
We all know the meadow lark He is a
characteristic feature OF every rural land
scape in California He is rather plainly
SdIutl, Dul ne wears Oh HIS NeIIOW breast
q perfectly shaped Tyre, wrought in black
feathers, and he carries in his little throat a
wonderful flute, wherewith to entertain
every passerby.
Yes, We all know the meadow lark, but
IL is a question how much longer we shall
know him. He is being melted and trapped
and shot for the market, this year, at such
a rate that the species is rapidly disap-
pearing from our fields.
During the last session of our Legisla-
ture bill was passed protecting all the
song birds, except the meadow lark, from
the depredations of the pot-hunter. The
lark was excepted from the list of pro-
tected birds because, as one member Of the
Assembly committee having this matter
in hand remarked: 1.-The meadow larks
can't sing. They can only guIlup out a
note or two"
And so now every pot-hunter is at
liberty to destroy them, and the birds will
be found this spring, as they were last, on
the poulterers' stands, in our markets, all
ready to be cooked and eaten. From now
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-03-24

circulation. 1t would be hopeless to urge
that the crowns of hats be made of fine wire
gauze or plant open-meshed web OF fine
Irvine, but that is the best suggestion of all.
For those who have not even rudimentary
hair LETT on their polls the only competent
physician is the one somewhat humorously
called the Grim Destroyer
w. c.. MORROW.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-03-24

if it has any foundation IN fact is serious
one.
The .oakdale Leader reports that meadow
larks have badly damaged a large tract OF
wheat in that vicinity, owned by ]. W. TuIloch
They bore down into the soil with their bills
and get the kernels of wheat. Larks very sell
dom fly in hocks, and are so quick and nervous
in their movements that very seldom is an )
portunity presented to kill more than one q.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-03-24

Are we going to let them perish? Shall
we take our place among the States as a
people who have eaten up our one charac-
teristic songbird?
Cannot some one of our many organiza-
tons of clever women pause in their
breathless pursuit of culture long enough
to help us save the little meadow lark from
the spit and the frying pan?
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-03-24

lark on my place. | need them more
than they need the few blades of grass they
eat. They wake me up in the morning
with their pretty songs and they keep the
bugs and worms away from my baby
trees"
And Charles Edward Markham speaks
of the bird as "that divine songster, the
sweetest in our State"
But now for the second Indictment which