The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-12-11
WAS ALMOST A TRAGEDY
The Isson Family Want
George Stierlen's
Blood.
An Exciting Sc ne Enacted in the
Appraisers Building YeSter.
day.

George Stierlen pleaded guilty to send
ing obscene and vulgar letters through
the mail and United States District Judge
Morrow fined him $500 for the offense yes
terday. As the man was being removed
from the courtroom by Deputy United
States Marshal Moncton a scene took
place that caused all present to believe
that tragedy was about to occur.
Mrs. Steirlen, divorced wife of the con-
fessed culprit, hastily left the courtroom
with her two brothers, Albert and l. Isson,
and attempted 20 intercept the prisoner
before he reached the door of the room of
the District Court clerk. Attorney Eisner
Marshal Barry Baldwin and Deputy Mono
ton hurried Stierlen through the door and
pushed the woman back. She became vio-
lent, and Marshal Baldwin threatened TO
eject her from the building. Meanwhile
the two Issons were pacing the hall like
Gagged tigers and the situation looked
serious.
Stierlen's attorney stated to Mr.. Bald
win that Alfred Isson had threatened to
carve his heart out, and it looked as
though most anything might happen.
The door was locked to prevent the trio
from seeing Stierlen or his attorney. Mar
shall Baldwin went into the hall, and to
make sure that there would be no blood
shed he searched Alfred Isson for weapons.
After much excitable conversation the
Issons and their sister were induced to
enter the MarshaPs Office, and as Stierlen
had paid his fine he escaped in a hack
from the Appraisers building and his
avenging eX-reiatives.
From the attorneys and Federal officials
the story OF the trouble was learned, a
story of illicit love, tragic death, betray-
ing letters, attempts at blackmail and
final retribution. In the first place, Stier-
len is man OF some means. He married
the Issons' sister, dafk-complexioned
Mexican woman. Alfred Isson lived in
Mexico, and a year or two ago his wife
came to this City. She met Stierlen and
both forgot their marriage VOWS, and
when absent their letters to each other
were mixture of pathetic alteration and
shocking vileness. Isson heard of what
was going on, and sent for his wife to re-
turn TO Mexico. She started upon the i'll
fated steamer Colima that overturned
down the coast and the woman's earthly
voyage was ended. Her husband re-
covered the guilty wife's trunks and found
those tell-tale letters.
His first move was to visit San Fran
cisco anu sue Stierlen for $4,000 damages
for alternating his wife's affections, but the
jury in Judge Sanderson's court decided
against his claim for damages.
Stierlen went to Fargo, S. D., where be
got divorce from his wife. Meanwhile
the Issons and Mrs. Stierlen sought the
Federal authorities, anu the Grand Jury
indicted Stieren fer sending obscene let
tiers through the mails.
When the fine was fixed yesterday Mrs.
Stierlen and her brothers became furious
and loudly condemned the District At
torney, the Judge and Stierlen's legal ad-
wiser. Alfred Isson threatened to take
Stierlen's life. Should Stierlen and the
Issons meet it is likely that there will be
another chapter to add to the story.