davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-12-23
WOES OF AN AGED
STOCKTON COUPLE
Elizabeth Benton Brings
Suit in a Divorce
Court.
The Husband of Whom She Has
Tired Is Ninety.One
Years Old.
Accuses Him of Extreme Cruelty
and Failure to Provide for
Her Wants.

STOCKTON, CAL, Dec. ga unique
divorce suit came up before Judge Hudd
to-day. 1t twas the case of Elizabeth Ben
ton against T. M. Benton. The white
haired defendant is 81 years of age, but
despite the fact that he has been a SEEM
iugly du.iful nus band since 1874 he was
charged with all sorts of indignities to his
wife, for which she demanded alimony
and separation.
In the complaint the wife claims that
her gray-haired and gray-bearded hus-
band has been guilty of extreme cruelty,
as well as negligent in providing Tor her
welfare. He is averred to have charged
her with stealing his property; OF calling
her vile names and applying opprobious
epithets to her; of refusing to allow her
children to live with her; of rsnsacking
her trunks, and of neglecting to supply
her with such help as her years and physi-
cal condition demanded.
This mornings session OF the court was
consumed in establishing those allega-
tons. 1t appeared that David Benton,
the old mans son, was the cause of a
large share of the trouble between the
couple. He told his father that the old
lady was stealing wheat, and led him to
where the sacks had been piled. Johnnie
Davidson, hired man. is alleged to have
made lots of trouble also. He was said to
have ransacked her wardrobe and bureau
drawers taken a detailed account of all
her wearing apparel and told how many
yards of unmade up goods she had, how
many silk stockings, how many dresses
and how many suits of underwear she
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-12-23
He SCOTS AT DISEASE.
Dr. Powell Again Submits to incubation
With Deadly tuberculosis
Germs

LOS ANGELES, CAL, Dec. %. = DR..
Thomas Powell to-day submitted for the
second time TO meteorological tests in a
way that astounded his fellow physicians.
Placing himself entirely at the commands
of some twenty five physicians present he
first inhaled the dried sputum of a woman
known to be far gone with pulmonary
tuberculosis. The sputum had been pre-
viously examined by professed bacteri-
ologist and microscopic, Professor A. J.
McClatchie, late of Throop University,
who pronounced the matter to be loaded
with the bacilli tuberculosis. The guam
tity of the viscid matter was then mixed
with distilled water and injected by one
of the physicians into the cellular tissue
over the abdomen. a number of promi-
nent physicians and surgeons were pres
ent, and all expressed themselves entirely
satisfied with the thoroughness of the
test.
Since the days of Pettenkofer, who pro-
posed to do what DR.. Powell is dong and
nearly killed himself by injecting into
himself some spiriellium of cholera, only
one other man is known to have tried il,
and he promptly killed himself with diph-
iberia bacilli.
Dr. Powell was inooulated with diph-
iberia yesterday, and for the last public
test tomorrow will be thoroughly inocu-
lated with typhoid fever germs and, if
they can be obtained, CHAMBERS germs.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-12-23
REDWOOD CITY MYSTERY.
Body of a South San Francisco Suicide
Held to Await identifca-

REDWOOD CITY, CAL, Dec. 22.-The
body of an unknown suicide was brought
from South San Francisco to Redwood
City to-day by Coroner James Grove, at
whose undertaking rooms it now lies
awaiting Identification. The dead man
was found at South San Francisco last
night with bullet-hole in his right tenn
pie. The temple is powder burned. The
suicide is man about "a or 25 years of
age, smooth shaven, 5 feet 6 inches tall
and weighs about 155 or $50 pounds.
When found he wore dark coat and vest
and drab trousers, and had on a striped
open-front stiff shirt and No. 151I turn
down collar of the same material. The
collar bears a laundry-mark which could
not be deciphered. He also had on
yellow undershirt and wore a pair of No.
shoes Around his collar was
crocheted four-in-hand tie of pink mate
rial. By the suicide was found a five
cham bered 38-caliber bulldog revolver,
self-cocking. Four of the chambers were
loaded, the fifth having been discharged.
The revolver is almost new and has
scratched on it the name of "P. Otto"
On his person was found white handker-
chief and memorandum-bo The only
entry in the book was the following, made
in lead pencil:
Please don't try to find out who I am. If
you want to do me a favor, bury me in some
Suiet spot.
sCoroner Grove will hold the body for
Identification for day or two.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-12-23
P0R7LARD'S GALLANT F00TPAD.
Refuses to Permit His Companion to Rob
a Woman of Her Haiu-
nhtoc

PORTLAND, Or, Dec. Of. G. Purdin
and wife, living at 301 Eugene street, Up
per Albina, were confronted by two
masked men last evening. Each leveled
a revolver at them and ordered them to
hold their hands above their heads and
keep quiet. They obeyed orders, as they
had no desire TO be perforated with cold
lead for the sake of few dollars. One of
the fellows handed to his confederate his
revolver and proceeded to search Mr.. Pur-
din's pockets from which he took 81.
81 guess Pll go through the woman,
now" said the searching robber, after
completing his work on Mr.. Purdin.
mo, you don'tl" exclaimed the other
thief, greatly to the surprise of the vic
Tins: GIVE got mother and won't stand
in with the robbery of woman"
This sentiment on the part of the in
active thief saved Mrs. Purdin about 81
that she had in her dress pocket. After
being allowed to go on their way the
robbed couple lost no time in visiting the
office of Chief of Police Robertson, to
whom they narrated their adventure, with
the assurance that they could identify the
ROBBERS were they to see them again. This
morning Detective Welsh arrested G.. l..
Bernard on suspicion of being implicated
in the robbery. The Purdins subsequently
visited the City Jail and at glance posi-
lively identified the suspect as being one
of the two men who halted them last
night.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-12-23
ATTEMPTED ROBBERY AT BoDEeA.
Masked Bandit Enters Store, but Is Put
to Flight BY the Piucky
Proprietor.

SEBASTOPOL, CAL, Dec. pa bold
attempt was made about 8 O. clock tonight
to rob Goodman & Co.'s general merchan-
disc store at Bodega, small village west
of this place. In addition to conducting
merchandise store the firm is engaged in
the banking business to some extent,
and the highwayman had undoubtedly
planned for big haul.
Goodman was in the act of closing the
safe for the night when he was suddenly
confronted by masked robber who had
entered through the rear door of the
building. The intruder hourished a pis-
toll and commanded the proprietor to hold
up his hands. Instead of complying with
the request Goodman made rush for the
robber, who fired one shot and then fed
through the door by which he had en-
tered, but in dashing out he struck Good
man a severe blow on tine head, rendering
HIM almost unconscious. 1t is believed
the njury will not prove serious.
At the latest account the outlaw was
heading for Queenstown. A posse was
formed and is searching the hills in tn is
neighborhood. 1t is expected that t he
robber will be taken dead or alive before
morning.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-12-23
RELEASED FROM SEATTLES JAIL.
chun Moi, Wife of Rich Chinese Mer-
chant, Wins the Fight Against
DeDorf0fjon

SEATTLE, WASH, Dec. 22.-Chune B.
Gee, or Chun Moi, the second wife of Gee
Lee, the Chinese merchant who in his best
days was worth $350000, was released
from the county Jail this morning by
order OF Judge Hanford. She will not go
back to China. although Judge Hanford
made an order several months ago direct
ing that she be deported. In dismissing
Mrs. Gee Lee the court made new order
which will render the original one null.
Never has such fight been made for a
Chinese woman in the Northwest as that
for Mrs. Gee Lee. Judge Burke was her
counsel. The case came up almost year
ago. The Government officers arrested
Mrs. Lee, although she had certificate
showing that she was the wife of Gee Lee.
Shortly before her arrest Gee Lee, when
called on to say which of two women in
his house was his wife, swore that Chune
B. Gee was not his wife.
For that reason the Government officers
Chune B. Gee into custody, alleging that
as she was not q wife she did not have a
good certificate and was not entitled to re-
main in the United States The case was
tried before Judge Hanford and the
woman was ordered deported to China.
Since then her counsel has been working
hard on the case, and Gee Lee has spent
much money in the woman's behalf. She
secured her release to-day by proving to
Judge Hanford satisfactorily that while
she may not be the wife of Gee Lee she
was born in the United States and there
fore it is not necessary for her to have a
certificate.
Three Chinese merchants swore that she
was born in San Francisco. Two of them
made affidavits to that effect before San
Francisco notary, ana the third came
north and was on the witness-stand this
morning.
His name is Chin Shing, and he is the
oldest Chinaman who ever came to this
city. He is said to be 81 years of age and
wealthy. He swore this morning that he
knew the prisoner from the time she was
little girl, and was positive that she was
born in the United States. Her father
was Toy All Cock, and for a number of
years was a resident of San Francisco,
where he kept store on Dupont street.
He and his wife went back to China in
1892, just two years after Ghune Gee came
north with Gee Lee. The witness would
not swear that she was married to Gee
Lee, but swore that the latter bought her
and brought her north.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-12-23
ATLANTIC AND PACIFIC SALE.
Jadge Ross Orders Foreclosure and the
Disposal of the Line to the Highest
Rjofdee

LOS ANGELES, CAL, Dec. 22.-Judge
E. NJ. Ross in the Circuit Court to-day
issued decree of foreclosure and sale of
the Atlantic and Pacific Railway in the
suit of the United States Trust Company
of New York against the Atlantic and
Pacific, Topeka and Santa Fe and st. Louis
and San Francisco railways, their re-
ceivers, the Mercantile Trust Company
and the Boston Trust Company.
The foreclosure is for a mortgage of
SIS 10000 in bonds and nearly So, 1000 900
interest. The decree authorizes the COM
pIainant to deduct $83, S23 30 collected by
it from sales of land among the land
holders pro rata. 1t then orders the sale
of the railway to be made by Owen N.
Marion, special master in the case. TIE
sale is to be at Gallup N. M, at the pas
senger station, at day and hour to be
fixed by Master Marion. No bid is to be
considered unless accompanied by certi-
fed check for 100000
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-12-23
TRAGEDY AT PASADENA.
Mrs. John Gales, an hvahd, Commits
Suicide by Drowning in
Reservoir.

PASADENA, CAL, Dec. 22.-One Of the
most tragic events ever occurring in the
neighborhood of Pasadena was the sui
eide at o'clock this morning of Mrs.
Gales by drowning in the reservoir south
of the Raymond hill. She was the wife
of John Gales, foreman of the Raymond
improvement Company's ranch. The
young woman had been ailing for some
time, and in fits of dependency FREE
quently made threats of taking her life.
She resided with her husband and mother
in-law just across the road from the reser-
voir.
Mr.. Gales mother was the first to miss
the unfortunate woman, as her husband
had gone from the house early in the
morning, and had left his wife apparently
asleep Mrs. Gales, not finding her
daughter-in-law in the house, became
alarmed and informed her son OF his
wife's absence. Mr.. Gales began a search
and his attention was attracted by white
apron on the bank of the reservoir. The
husband got assistance and discovered
the body in the reservoir.
Mrs. Gales had always lived happily
with her husband and i'll health is the
only reason assigned for her suicide. She
was but 90 years old, and came from
Waterloo Iowa, about three years ago.
She had k3en married but two years.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-12-23

months ago, going to work as a singer in
the Louvre Concert Hall. where he waa
not great success. Since being in the
city, up to the last few weeks, he has been
hanger-on around the variety theater
and disorderly houses. 1t is said he had
a wife with him when he first came to
Spokane. A few weeks ago he stopped
one evening to hear the Volunteer Army
on the street, and when one OF the sisters
had finished an address he walked In
among them and announced his intention
of becoming volunteer.
Not over a couple of weeks ago Day
made an attempt TO win back his wife,
who is now said to be in Rossland, B. @.
He caused a telegram to be sent her by a
friend, stating that he had tried to kill
himself on her account. This did not
knew him in San Francisco have no good
word for him and do not believe that his
conversion is bona fide.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-12-23
CHICKEN THIEVES CAPTURED.
Officers Break Up Gang That Ford1ed
on San Joaquin Rdnches.

Officers Break Up Gang That Fora6ed
on San Joaquin RGnches.
STOCKTON, CAL, Dec. 22.-Deputy
Sheriff Robinson returned from MADEIRA
to-day with George Roberts, alias James
Owen, who has been wanted here for some
time for his connection with wholesale
thefts of chickens and turkeys. One week
ago Roberts hired rig, and, in company
with Cary Peck, one of the thieving party,
started out on a foraging expedition. They
succeeded in securing twenty-five chickens
and turkeys, but when they raided the
henroost of the McKintosh ranch, east of
here, they were detected. Mcintosh and
his employees gave chase on horseback.
When the thieves were close pressed
they abandoned their rig and the stolen
fowls and took to the fields. Peck was
captured and told what he knew of the
operations of his comrades. HIS arrest
was kept secret by the authorities in the
hope of arresting the others, and Roberts
was taken at MADEIRA to-day. This breaks
up an organized gang which has been op-
Grating in this section for the past month.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-12-23
JOINS A SPOKANE CHURCH
0smond Day, Notorious IN San Francisco
Says He WIN Become
Minister.

SPOKANE, WASH, Dec. 22.-Osmond
Day, at one time notorious character in
San Francisco last evening walked up to
the pulpit of the Peoples United
Church and joined the church, announc-
ing that he would at once take the pulpit
in the interest of that sect. AT this state
ment the large audience joined in praises
to God. The Peoples United Church is
an organization lately formed. the founder
being David N. McInturff. who a year ago
caused a split and great dissension in the
First Methodist Church, of which he was
the pastor. He has been leader in all
sensational moral reforms in the city and
is now heading Sunday-closing crusade.
Day came to Spokane six or eight
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-12-23

the wharf touched the shore, so that
more tracks and lum ber-yards might be
located. 1t would also build other wharves
at which vessels could load and unload.
In reply to a question by Commissioner
Morgan, Hood said that after four years
experience, if he were to rebuild the wharf
he would not change the location in the
least. He told how admirably the piles
withstood the action of the waves. 1t had
been his experience at the wharf that he
never saw wave that was more than TOUR
feet from crest to trough.
Commissioner Morrison wanted to learn
something about the wharf that was pre-
.vIously built at Santa Monica. Hood said
he had been on the wharf in 1876. Heavy
swells prevailed at that point. 1t was not
a good place Tor a wharf. 1t was built
more than twenty years ago and aban-
doned some time between 1878 and 1852;
In answer to a question by Admiral
Walker, Hood said the proposed break
water at the Long wharf would be located
in seven fathoms of water.
Division superintendent J. A. Muir was
the next gentleman to address the COM
mission. With but one exception, he said,
the company had never had any difficulty
in handling business at the wharf. The
storm of March 9 1896, did some damage
to the ship Dun BOVINE. Considerable COM
ment had been made by mum Der ofnews-
papers on the effect of the storm of Noyem-
Der 25 last. TIE facts OF the case did not
justify these. During the storm the
steamer Santa Rosa would not touch at
Redondo, but it did stop at Port Los An
geles and experienced no great inconve-
nience.
]. S. Slauson, who owns large block of
Southern Pacific stock, said he had been
one of the directors of he old Los Angeles
and Independence Railroad until it was
sold to the Southern Pacific.
"When we built that road" said Mr..
SIauson, I'VE thought Los Angeles needed
better harbor than that found away
down at San Pedro. We built wharf at
Santa Monica, Yankee fashion, knowing
nothing about waves. tides or winds. In
all the time that the wharf stood but two
vessels ever failed to make landing"
The wharf was sold to the South Pa
cifc about a year and half after it's con-
stIuction. Slauson said the city of Los
Angeles was building toward the Santa
Monica coast, and as a citizen he had
thought that the deep-water harbor should
be located there.
Hood here stated that be had but little
more evidence 10 offer. He would like to
introduce Captain Alexander of the
steamer Santa Rosa and two other cap
tains tomorrow when his side would
close.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-12-23
Defenstre rice, for Japan.

VANCOUVER, B. c., Dec. pa COM
pany with capital of 100000 yen is
being organized in Japan to provide a
feet for defensive purposes. 1t is pro-
posed to build three ships OF 5000 tons,
with speed of twelve knots; six ships Of
5000 tons, with speed of seventeen knots;
fourteen of over fourteen knots speed and
eight other smaller steamers. During
times of peace it is intended that the
boats shall be utilized in the mercantile
service on the American and Australian
lines and between Japan and China,
Korea and Formosa. Application for a
charter will be made to the Government
Immediately and the construction of the
boats pushed forward with all possible
speed.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-12-23
q STORE OPEN EVENINGS FOR BALANCE OF HOLIDAY SEA-

fence, 100 feet from the chicken-house.
His throat had been cut, evidently with a
stiletto. AT the inquest Burk identified
the deceased as Martin Gordan, a sign
writer from San Francisco, where his fam
lily resides.
Cagnaccio, under oath, swore positively
that when knocked down by the thieves
in the chicken-house he made no resist
ance, but called for help, when the thieves
ran. The jury returned verdict of death
by knife wound at the hands of party
or parties unknown.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-12-23
Sentenced TO Folsom.

STOCKTON, CAL, Dec. 22-Harry
Bryant, arrested at Berenda week ago
under the name os Harrison by Sheriff
Cunningham on a charge of stealing a
horse and buggy from Reynolds & Turner,
liverymen of this city, pleaded guilty to-
day before Judge Smith. He claimed he
was intoxicated and did not know what he
was doing when he commi tied the theft.
Judge Smith thought a term in prison
would cure Bryant of his love for intoxi-
cants, so he sentenced him to two and half
years in San Quentin.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-12-23
Craok Cycters to Race.

SAN JOSE, CAL, Dec 22.-Floyd Nc
Farland has accepted the challenge issued
by Otto Ziegler Jr. for series of match
races on the Garden City Cyclers' track OF
this city, the distances to be one, two and
five miles respectively. with pace-makers,
for purse of $1,000. The riders will prob
ably meet in a few days and sign articles
of agreement.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-12-23
IN JAIL F0R FORGERY.
Son of General AFFORD of Tecas Passes
a Bogus Draft.

LOS ANGELES, CAL. Dec. 22-Allen
G. Afford, son OF General George f.
Afford of Texas, is in the City Jail
charged with attempting to defraud the
California National Bank. He deposited
there a $1,000 draft. Then he drew 500,
and later $500 more. That aroused the
suspicion of the bank people, and teIe-
gram was sent to Philadelphia, where it
was discovered that the draft was for
gerry. A warrant was at once issued and
later Detective Bradish arrested the man.
He is 20 years of age.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-12-23

duisitely rendered by the vocalists, and
the grand chorus of 100 voices aroused
much enthusiasm and ad miration. Music
was under the direction of Professor ]. 81.
Howe of San Francisco. The soloists were
Nine. Yda de Sen2inario, Homer Henley
and Frank Coffin of San Francisco and
Miss Carrie Foster Mcclellan OF San Jose.
T. Loui King accompanied the vocaliss
upon the pipe organ and Miss Ada
Churchill upon the piano.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-12-23
KILLED AT YESTURA.
A San Franciscan Meets Death While
Stealing chickens.

Stedfseg Shickefs.
VENTURA, CAL, Dec. 22.-Jacob Gag
naccio heard disturbance in his chicken
house, at the rear of his residence, last
night. On investigation he found two
men within killing chickens. He claims
that he ordered them out, but that they
oveIpowered him and escaped, dropping
four dead chickens as they ran. He gave
the alarm. and Constable Russell, who
lives on the opposite side OF the street, ran
out and arrested a tramp named James
Burk as one of the men.
at daylight this morning the body of
an unknown man was found inside the
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-12-23
Escaped From Folsom Prison.

SACRAMENTO. CAL, Dec. 22.--Gover-
nor Budd this morning issued a requisi-
ton to the State of Utah for the extradi-
ton of Albert Pico, now in the Utah State
prison. Pico escaped from Folsom prison
after nearly completing three-year SEN
tence for embezzlement. Since his ESCAPE
he has served two terms in Utah. His
second term will be completed in a few
days, when he will be brought back to
Folsom.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-12-23
F1rnu Released on Bail.

LOS ANGELES, CAL, Dec. 22-W. T.
Furay, the alleged poisoner of his mother
in-law, Mrs. Kelley, was to-day released
on $500 bail. The District Attorney be-
lieves there is little evidence 70 back up
the charge. His examination was con-
tinued to January
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-12-23
San Rafnek Accfdenf.

SAN RAFAEL. CAL, Dec. o. Cart
Barstow. son of the editor of the Marin
Journal, met with shotgun accident at
noon to-day. With companion he was
duck-hunting. While climbing over a
fence his clothing caught on nail. He
fell and the gun was discharged. The
charge took effect in his thigh. No bones
are broken and it is hoped it is only flesh
wound.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-12-23
SANG FoR sWEEr oHARITT.
Large audiences Hear the Rendition
HnndeHs feIhe aIessinh

SAN JOSE. CAL. Dec. 22.-Large audi
ences heard the rendition of Handel's
great oratorio, 'HThe Messiah" at the First
Methodist Church this evening and last
night for the benefit of the Associated
Charities of this city. The solos were ex-
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-12-23

LIFE often hangs In the balance, because IA
slight cold'' has been suffered to turn chronic
when prompt resort to DIR. d. Jaynes Expecte
rant would have turned The scale.
Ii bilious take Jayne's Painless sanative Pills.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-12-23

In Italy there are more theaters in pro-
portion to the population than in any
other country.