The San Francisco call., 1896-01-12
FATE OF THREE FRIENDS,
Were All Killed While Coupling
Cars for the Southern
Pacific.
BRAKEMEN TO CONDUCTORS.
Were Taken on During the Strike and
All Met Death Within Eight
Months.
OAKLAND OFFICE SAN FRANCISCO CALL. J


OAKLAND OFFICE SAN FRANCISCO CALI
9OS Broadway. Jan. IL I
The last OF three friends who went 10
work for the Southern Pacific when the
strike was declared was killed in the wards
this week. Sixteen years ago William
Aiken, Frank Patton and William n
Gardner entered the service of the COM
pany as brakemen.
BY perseverance and attention to dutv
they worked themselves UP and became
three OF the best conductors in the passen-
ger service. Aiken worked continuously
1or the company until he was dis
charged two years ago. Patton was dis
charged several times, but his superior
aolllty always came to his aid and caused
his reinstatement. Billy" Gardner was
a hrst-class railroad man, but he did not
hoIu on SO long as the other two. He lett
the employ OF the railroad and went TO
central America. There he became pos
seSSeQ OF a coffee plantation, which after
lew years he sold for large sum and then
be returned to California. He had too
much money, however, and he associated
himself With Ned Foster of Neptune Gar
den fame and together they opened The
FlCcadlIly," on kearny street, san Fran
cisco, IN connection with tire Bella Union
IheaJer. Gardner evidently knew more
ness, ior be came out Of the venture pennl-
less.
Once again Gardner went to work for
the Southern Pacific as brakeman, but
was discharged some time before the strike
Of June, 1885
At the time OF the strike the three
trlends-Patton, Gardner and Aiken-were
around Oakland again, and the railroad
gave them all positions as sWitchmen.
Their services were very valuable to the
company during the strike, and they fully
expected to be rewarded by being rein
stated IN their old positions as conductors.
Ihelr hopes were never realized, tor each
has met death within the past eight
months by being crushed while coupling
cars.
The first was William Aiken, whose foot
became fast In a frog while coupling cars
IN W est End, Alameda; the second was
Frank Patton, killed at the Peralta yards,
and lastly. W lillian Gardner caught his
loot IN frog a the Peraita yards in West
Oakland last Monday and was killed.
Pythian Installation.
OAKLAND, CAL. Jan. 1.-Oakland
Lodge No. l03. K. of p, held public IN
stallatiOR of officers last evening. A ban
Quet and reception were also given to the
wives and friends Of members, and the af-
TAR was very pleasant one. The opening
address was maue by Chairman Ferris.
l.,
g, Herbert Spencer; Y. c., F. L. Gahndo
preiate, Nanny Cohn; VI. at A, s. Cohn :;
NJ Of E., John Ferguson NJ. OF f, Z. J.
Murphy; X. OF i. and S. :. Ferris; NJ. of
". L. w. Griffin; l. G.. B. Cans; o. g..
c. NJ. Lambert. The literary programme
was opened by an address by Grand Chan
ceIor George Samuels, who spoke most in
terestngly upon the origin and aims Of
the order, handling his subject in an able
manner. At the conclusion OF the pro-
gramme handsome jewel was presented
TO Past Chancellor O'Niel for faithful per-
formance OF duty while in Office.
The WaIkerIey Estate.
OAKLAND. CAL, Jan. 1.-THE bill of
exceptions filed in the Walkerley case
against the decision OF the Supreme Court
was thrown out OF court to-day. The bill
was one without special warrant of law
and Judge Frick refused TO settle it to-day,
as the attorney made no appearance.
There IS now nothing to prevent the dis
tribution OF the large WalkerIey estate.
New Electric System.
OAKLAND. CAL. Jan. 1.-THE direc-
tors and ottice-s of the Piedmont and
Mountain View Railway Company took a
trip over the road to-day in the new hill
climbing car. The grades were easily
assembled, and the machinery worked to
perfection. The car is supplied with two
motors of 10 horsepower each, and both
are applied TO the rear wheels when ascend
ing steep grades.
Is Given the Limit.
OAKLAND, CAL, Jan. u-George
Kelly of the Sporting Life gang was called
for sentence to-day in the Police Court.
Judge Woo1 said that he did not think
there we're any extenuating clrcu ms tances.
Kelly had been in Jail a couple of months
and he thought that was the proper place
for persons of his character. Judge Weed
sentenced Kelly TO the limit for battery
six months in the City Prison.
Acme Club Not Suspended.
OAKLAND, CAL, Jan. IA story was
widely circulated to-day that the Acme
Athletic Club had been suspended by the
Pacific Athletic Association for nom
payment OF dues. Captain Van Court
denied this tonight. He says the club has
the receipt of the association for June, 1895,
and that there will be no delinquency till
June, 1896.
Native Daughters.
OAKLAND, CAL, Jan. u.-Next FRIDAY
night about fifty ladies will meet at Loring g
Hall and will organize the first parlor OF
Native Daughters in Oakland. The move
menU was brought to a climax by Mrs
Belle w. Conrad and she will at once make
all arrangements for securing a charter
from the Grand Lodge.
Policeman Andrews Exonerated.
OAKLAND, CAL, Jan. 11.-An inquest
was held Io-nightinto the death of Thomas
Lamb He is the eX-convict who died from
the gunshot wound inflicted by Policeman
Andrews as he was trying 10 escape after
being arrested. The jury returned verdict
in accordance with the evidence and ex-
onerated the policeman from all blame.