davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-12-28
MYSTERY OF BENIcIA.
An Escape From Livermore Asylum
Claims He Is the Victim of
Scheminq Relatives.

BENICIA, CAL, Dec. 27.-A peculiar
case-one that has an air of mystery, if
not actual crime, surrounding twas
brought to light here to-day. An elderly
man appeared at the Palace Hotel this
morning and asked for breakfast. After
it was given to him ne asked for Mr.. Clyne
of the agricultural works. He was told
that Clyne would be found at church. To
the church the stranger went, and on
getting Mr.. Clyne outside he announced
to him that he was E. M. Houx of Max
we'll and that he desired to get some
money. Clyne hesitated to believe the
story, as Mr.. Houx was supposed to be
very wealthy, wher as the man before him
was dressed in blue flannel and presented
very shabby appearance
The stranger assured Clyne that he was
the person he represented to be, and re.
lated q strange story TO the effect that he
had made his escape from private insane
asylum at Livermore kept by a man
named Robertson. He had been for the last
six days and nights hiding in the Contra
Costa hills. and he said that he would
sooner die than go back to the asylum
He claimed that he had been placed
there by his relatives, who desired to have
him kept out of the wav, and the treat
ment he had received had been such that
he could not stand it. In enumerating
the cruelties practiced upon him he said
that he had been tied down for four days
and brutally treated otherwise. He as
sured Clyne that if the latter would ex-
anime his signature and compare it with
the Houx correspondence in the Office he
would be satisfied that he was stating the
truth.
Clyne took the man to his home and left
him while he went to the office, where he
found that the signature that the stranger
had given agreed exactly with those
already in the Office. On his return to his
house the man had disappeared. Clyne
Immediately teIegraphed Mrs. Houx re-
garding him, and he received an answer
telling him to spare no expense in tracing
his late visitor. Ciyne Immediately got
an officer and started on the trail finally
catching the stranger al Suisun. He was
placed in the Jail in Fairfield, with in
structions to deliver him to no person
until thorough investigation could be
made.
This evening a keeper from Livermore
arrived in town looking for the esca ped
man. He stated that large reward
would be paid for his recapture.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-12-28
TALKED WITH OUTLAW DUNHAM
Lower California Telegraph Lneman Ger
tain That He Encountered the
Murderer

SAN DIEGO, CAL, Dec. Or. D. An
derson, lineman for the Peninsular Tele-
graph Company, is in the city from Lower
California. His work takes him over much
OF the northern part of the peninsula, and
as be was formerly an officer, he keeps a
good watch. for criminals who may stray
over the line from this State. He owns
lot of horses in San Rafael Valley, $50
miles below here, and it was during a
roundup in the foothills last Wednesday
that he saw Durham, the Campbell MUIR
derer. He talked with Durham, and had
a good look at his face and figure in broad
daylight.
at was Durham all right, said Ander-
son. 81 have description of Durham,
which l have carried with me ever since
the murder. as well as two pictures of
him. l did not happen to think of Dun
ham when met him. but afterward it oc-
CURED to me that l had interviewed the
murderer, and after consulting the pho
tographs and descriptions knew that the
man was Durham sure enough.
1T was OH Wednesday afternoon, De-
cember %, tnat l ran across him. Twas
on horseback, looking for stray stock. 1t
was In the foothills east of San Rafael
three or Jour miles. The country is
ragged and broken and no one lives in
there. In little open stretch saw a man
on foot ahead of me, looking around as if
he expected somebody. He had a roll of
blankets and rifle. l saw him before he
saw me and rode up toward him.
He glanced around on both sides and
saw me. He jumped and seemed to be
getting his rifle ready, but probably my
unsuspicious approach assured him. he
stopped and then walked toward me. He
came about as near as from here across
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-12-28
says Officer A. B. Thompson of the Cali
fornia.street police station knows him.
An Arkansas Rather.

George NJ. Caldwell OF Williamsville, ILL.,,
was telling snake stories last night to a
party of friends at Hurst's Hotel. Ac.
cording to one of these yarns, Mr.. Cald-
well has friend in Arkansas who was
once the owner of the biggest rattlesnake
that ever came down the pike. Mr. Cald-
we'll consulted notebook while telling
his story, in which he had an affidavit
signed by Joseph P. Coffin, Circuit Clerk
of Lawrence County, Powhattan, Ark.
who vouches for the dimensions of the
reptile and gives some details of how it
was caught.
Mr.. Coffin states in his affidavit that in
1870, in Independence County, Ark, on a
strip of ground lying between the White
and Black rivers rattlesnake was killed
that measured 1917 feet in length. 1t was
armed with forty-three rattles and q but
ton, ana had fangs strong enough to pierce
the thickest hide boot.
IF you don't believe this story" con-
Guided Mr.. Caldwell, write to W. G..
Lyons, Scott and Markham streets, Little
Rock, Ark, for confirmation. The snake
is now in his possession, having been
nicely stuffed. st. Louis Globe-Demo-
crat,
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-12-28
FELL TO DEATH
WITH HIS STAGE
Driver MaxwelPs Corpse
Found Under His
Horses.
Drove Over an Embankment on
an Abandoned Road Near
Dyerville.
Searching Party Finds the Wrecked
Coach at the Bottom of
Gully

EUREKA, CAL, Dec. 27-Authentic de-
tails of the disaster to the overland mail
stage and the killing of the driver between
Dyerville and Harris on Christmas eve
were received here this morning. The
accident occurred about midnight on
Thursday near McCann's sawmill, on Eel
River, thirty miles from Scotia. The vic
tim was sixteen-year-old Victor Maxwell,
who had been hired for the holidays by
the regular driver, Charles Luke.
The boy took the mail from Driver
Miller at Harris in the evening and started
northward alone, driving pair OF horses
hitched to a heavy road cart. He was
due at midnight at McCanns mill, about
half way on the seventeen-mile drive to
Dyerville. He failed to arrive and the
people at the mill started out in the morn
ing to learn the cause. They found the
wheel tracks below the mill. These were
followed and led them along an old aban-
doned stage road, which branches off
near the mill, and to deep gully about
fifteen feet wide that had been made
across the road by an overflow of the
river last year. Here their search ended,
for at the bottom of the gully lay the
AOISSSs CdII duu a4O
all the body of the boy.
The poor fellow had received a fracture
at the base of the skull and his chest was
crushed, evidently by one of the horses
falling on him. The animal, although
alive and uniniured like his mate, had
been unable to rise and still lay with Its
shoulder on the boys breast. That the
drivers death was sudden and unexpected
was indicated by the fact that he still
grasped half-eaten apple in his hand.
From appearances it would seem that the
boy, not being familiar with the route, had
allowed the horses to swing off into the
old road at the forks and that he was un-
aware of the dangerous gully ahead. From
the marks on the further bank of the
wasnout it appeared that the horses had
leaped the crevasse, but had been dragged
back by the weight of the cart.
Little can be learned about the unfor-
tunate boy except that he had been in the
employ of Rancher Olsen, contractor for
the route. His mother is dead and his
father, who formerly lived in that part of
the country, is now employed on coast
ing steamer.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-12-28
KEPT A COFFIN
At HIS BEDSIDE
Eccentric Philip Faust of
Pacific Grove Passes
Away.
Three Years Ago He Arranged
Every Detail for His
Funeral.
His Widow, Provided For in Like
Manner, Believed to Be
Dying.

PACIFIC GROVE. CAL. Dec. ~
Philip Faust died at his home last nj hit
after an illness of more than three years
duration. The cause of his death was in
fammation caused by two bullets, which
he carried in his body, one having been
received in the Mexican War.
Faust was native of Germany, but
came to America when a boy. He en-
listed in volunteer corps of the United
States army and fought in the Mexican
War, in the course of which he received a
wound which eventually killed HIM.
After the close of the war he became one
of the pioneers and took an active part in
the early history of the State.
When the Civil War began his soldier
spirit was again aroused, and he went
While with the Army OF the Potomac he
received a second bullet, which he car
ried until his death.
For three years past-ever since the be-
ginning of his long illness. in fact-Faust
kept his coffin in his bedroom. The casket
was prepared for burial, and in it was
sufficient money for the funeral expenses.
During all this time not day passed that
Faust had not had from one to three faint
ing spells, and he hourly expected death,
Mrs. Faust has been partially paralyzed
for years, and her coffin also has been kept
in the house, beside mat of her husband.
1t is believed she will not long survive her
aged partner, as she is now dan gerously
ill.
Faust was "A years of age and quite well
20 do
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-12-28

problems being how to rationalze native
studies in the lower schools. Drs. Harris
and Haelmerm will lead the kindergarten
round table. Mrs. Sarah B. Cooper
name is on the programme which was
printed before she died, and in relation to
which she wrote few days before her
death with prophetic words, II shall
speak there as the spirit may direct me. !"
The last morning will be given 10 gem
eral session. Dr. John Fryer. professor of
Oriental languages at the University of
California, will speak on Chinese edu-
cation, Professor Bolton of San Jose on
modern psychology, ana young Eiwood
Cubberly of San Diego will repeat the
address upon political reforms in school
matters which electrified the Los Angeles
City Association few weeks a o..
Altogether, San Jose next week will give
to it's 5000 visitors wonderful series of
thought-awakenlng addresses. and lead to
the very threshold of the opening era
with prophecy and potentiallty of the
best educational work of the State in the
year of grace 1897.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-12-28

the street and stopped and watched me
every second. He dropped his blankets
but kept hold of his rife. Then he asked
me for something to eat
"The man was apparently tired out,
either with hunger or worry. His clothes
were ragged and his boots had holes In
them. / said / had nothing with me, but
If he would go down to the ranch he would
find work and something TO eat. He said
he would just as soon have job as not,
because he was hungry and out OF money.
His manner was not very open and dld
not like his looks. l asked him what he
was doing, and he said he was prospect
ing.
81 said it was funny for a prospector to
be out in the hills without any grub, and
he said something about having some
over at the other camp We parted then,
and he watched me closely, not moving
until l was almost out of sight. That
made me suspicious and then l thought OF
the man being Durham. | looked at my
pictures, and / will swear that the man
was Durham. His mustache is cut off.
but otherwise he is the same, only thinner.
II could have captured the man, but
what would 1 do with him? The trouble
is not in catching him, but in getting him
out OF the country. But believe that if
regularly accredited officers were down
there and got Durham and turned him
over TO the authorities, they would not
object to holding him until extraditlon
papers could be secured"
Detective Ellsworth, who has been at
work on Durham clews in.Lower Cali
fornia for several weeks, is planning an
expedition to go down ana hunt the m ur-
derer. He will not talk, but from Ander-
son it was learned that Ellsworth is or
ganizing party to go down, following the
trail outlined in the stories of Limo Lopez
and Anderson. Lopez said Durham
stopped at the Vailecito ranch last week
ana left the next morning for the South.
His road would lead him. either to Ense-
NADIA, which he would naturally avoid. or
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-12-28
Santa CLAUS Used HIM Ktndrv.

SANTA CRUZ, CAL, Dec. 27.-Henry
Shafer, 70 years OF age. received as a
Christmas present piece of gold bullion
worth $4,000. Mr.. Shafer did not consider
the gold any the less Christmas present
because he is half owner in the mine in
San Barnardino County whence it was
sent to him by his partner. He has
parted with portion OF his 271z pounds
of bullion, however, or will as soon as the
transfer of the Park Hotel in Sequel is
made to him. Then he is coming to Santa
Cruz for investments. He says that he
has twenty years longer to live and he
wants to keep that chunk of gold rolling
to the accumulation of more
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-12-28
barry Coast kindergarten, is degrading the

barry Coast kindergarten, Is degrading the
youth of our land.
The round tables above outlined will be
running simultaneously Tuesday morn
ing in the normal school classrooms, no
doubt 10 the anguish of some who would
like to be in six places at once. On
Wednesday morning another set begins,
also full of interest and inviting thinkers
in many directions.
English considered as a. continuous
course will be the subject of Professor Gay
ley's department. He will be assisted in
north. to south, 7. L. Heaton iourneying
from Eureka. Humboldt County, +. Z.
Perham from Santa Ana. Charles Edwin
Markham, the poet and teacher OF the
Tompkins Experimental School, will dis
cuss here his methods of making children
know the worlds finest thought. Profess
sor Ewald Flugel, one of the finest scholars
in the United States, will tell what we
may learn from Germany in teaching the
native language and literature, and
multitude of lesser lights will scintillate.
Professor e. B. Clapp, the ardent Greek
scholar, who more than any one else on
the coast has the fire of the Renaissance
love of ancient learning in his heart, will
come from Berkeley to conduct the round
table on the classics, bringing to his de-
alterations some of the finest Greek and
Latin teachers on the coast.
German in the schools, now asking for
as much recognition as the mothers of the
English tongue, as the Greek and Latin,
will be represented by Professor Gechel Of
Stanford University, aided by eminent
German scholars from both universities
and from many high schools. Manual
training will be under the stanch pro-
tector and advocate, Charles II. Keyes,
formerly of the Throop Polytechnic
school, and spoken of as the future di-
rector of the great WiImerding College.
Science will be led by Professor o. P.
Jenkins of Stanford and some of the
lost advanced scientists of the coast; the
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-12-28
Repaid Kindness by Theft.

SAN JOSE, CAL, Dec. 27.-Aibert J.
kaufman, a young man with penchant
for wrong-doing, is again in the city
prison, this time charged with petty lar
ceny. kaufman has been out of work for
some time, and C. r. Gibbons of '77 South
First street has been providing him with
food and shelter. To repay this kindness
Kaufman broke into his penefactor's trunk
and stole So. He was arrested by Chief
Kidward at the Salvation Army barracks.
On the way to the police station he at
tempted to throw away a bunch of skele-
ton keys. Part of the money was found
on his person. This is not Kaufman first
offense
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-12-28
KIDNAPPING At SAN DIEGO.
Four Year-0id Child Stolen by Its Father
From the Residence of Its
Mofhar

SAN DIEGO, CAL, Dec. 27-Constable
Marks is looking for Robert Denton, a
young man who drove a livery rig for
German named PhaIer. Phaler is wanted
for Kidnapping his own daughter, a child
of 4 years, and he is believed to have gone
into Lower California with her. The OFF,
GERS hope to get Driver Denton and hold
him on the charge of being an accomplice
until they can locate Phaler.
Phaler married a Mexican woman and
frequently quarreled with her. Two years
ago, when they lived at Jacumba, on the
edge of the desert, he stole his child from
the mother and ran away with her. The
mother was frantic and did not rest until
she had found the child and recovered it.
Then Phaler went to Alamo, Lower Cali
fornia, and worked in the mines. A week
ago he reappeared in San Diego, and i'm
mediatelv set about planning to regain
possession of his daughter. He learned
where his wife was living, and in order to
avoid recognition he had his beard re-
moved.
About 9 o'clock Wednesday morning
Phaler hired horse aud blackboard and
engaged Denton to drive. He said he in
tended to go to False Bay to hunt ducks.
At 10 o'clock he drove to the corner of
Seventh and streets, block from where
the woman lived, and leaving the driver
to hold the horse he went down the street
and into the alley near the rear of the
house. In few moments he returned,
running, with the child in his arms, and
the two men drove fast out Jestreet, fol-
lowed by the mother.
Within an hour officers were on the
track. but Phaler could not be overtaken.
The driver, Denton, returned with the rig
late the following night, and after an hour
or so went to Old Town.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-12-28
Suicide on Asphgriatios.

SAN JOSE, CAL.,i Dec. 27.-Robert j.
Sleeves, man about so years of age. COM
mitted suicide in the Auzerais House last
night by asphyxiation. He had undressed
himself, turned on the gas and retired.
His hat was hung oyer the key aole.
Sleeves came from New York and had
been in this city about two months. He
was being treated&for heart disease.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-12-28
TACOMA TRACKS TORN UP.
Street RailtCay Company Defeats the
Plans of Its Creditors.

TACOMA, WASH, Dec. 27.-Pursuant to
a weliplanned scheme, an army of work
men under direction of R. G. Wlngate,
one of the owners, to-day tore up all
tracks within the city limits of the Tacoma
and Lake City railroad. to avoid lnjunc-
tions by creditors. The work was COM
menced last midnight and continued with
no interruption until this afternoon, when
it was completed. 1t was watched by
scores of interested people. who were
unable to get restraining order on Sun
day. The track torn up was three miles
long, running from South Tacoma to the
racetrack. The rails have been sold.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-12-28
arrested at Sto ckfan.

STOCKTON, CAL. Dec. 27.-The police
to-day arrested James Wheeler of San
Francisco for insanity. Wheeler walked
into the police Office this forenoon and
claimed he was being pursued by crowd
of men bent upon killing him. He said a
com pany of San Franciscans had been
formed for the purpose of taking his life.
He claimed he came from San Luis
Obispo. San Francisco, and had worked
on Sutro's line as gripman. Wheeler
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-12-28
ANNUAL SESSION
OF THE TEACHERS.
San Jose Will Entertain
embers of the State
Association.
CALIFORNIA; Army of Educators
To-Day Begin Their Yearly
Conference.
Men and Women of National Fame to
Deliver Addresses in the
Convention.

SAN JOSE. CAL, Dec. 27.-The Cali
fornia Teachers Association will convene
in the Normal School building here this
afternoon for four days of elaboration.
For thirty years the progressive teachers
of the State have annually gathered dur
ing the winter holidays at different cities
up and down the coast to discuss prfhci-
pies and methods of education.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-12-28
Incendiaru BLOC al Harleio.

VALLEJO, CAL, Dec. 27.-Fire was dis
covered at 3 clock this morning in what
was formerly the Union Hotel, on Georgia
street, near the wharf, and within half an
hour the building was entirely consumed.
The building was unoccupied. 1t was
owned by James McCudden When the
blaze was discovered it was apparent that
it had been started by an incendiary. A
pile of mattresses and bedding had been
hauled into the center of the barroom
floor and ignited
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-12-28

MONTEREY, CAL, Dec. 27.-At the
regular communication of Free and Ac-
cepted Masons, Monterey Lodge No. 217,
last night, officers were elected for the en-
suing Masonic year. Those chosen were
William Kay, w. NJ. ;.William Jacks, A. w;
DR.. S. s Boyle, ]. W.; w. E. Crawford ire
elected), secptarv; James B. Snively. ire
elected), treasurer; II. "A. Olmstead, S. D.;
Johr I. Connolly, J. D.; A. A. Manuel and
Ad. Gunzendorfer, stewards; w. J. Towle,
tyler.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-12-28
Death From Alcoholic Pois oming.

SAN JOSE, CAL, Dec. 27.-Hiram ].
Shelmadine died suddenly at his ranch,
Grecian Bend, in the Santa Cruz Noun
tains last evening. A Coroner's inquest
was held this afternoon, the jury deciding
that death was due to alcoholic poisoning.
Sheimadine was native of Michigan and
81 years of age. -Four years ago he was
divorced from his wife and subsequently
married.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-12-28
Rrinhan. for the Cnbtnet.

SAN JOSE, CAL, Dec. 27.-Papers are
being circulated by San Jose Grange for
signatures to petition to President-elect
Mckinley asking that Colonel ]. H. Brig
ham of Ohio be given the position OF Sec
rotary of Agriculture. Colonel Brigham
is worthy master OF the National Grange.
This action is taken in accordance with a
communication received from the Ma
tional Grange
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-12-28

The most powerful guns now made fire
a shot from twelve to thirteen miles. and
Krupp's great Bottom steel gun hurled a
shot weighing $500 pounds q few yards
over fifteen miles.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-12-28

THAT unpleasant Catarrh with all its annoying
and disagreeable symptoms can be speedily re-
lieved and cured with DR.. Jayne's Expectorant.
SAFE and sure, Jay mes Painless Sanatiye Pills.