The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-05-27
Full Fares Demanded for Chill
dren and Baggage
Detained.
THE RULES WON'T BE BROKEN
Other Roads Passed the Travellers,
but a Cinch Was Worked at
the Ferries.

A heartless case of persecution had its
finale on the water front yesterday. 1t
was that of the Southern Pacific on one
side and poor woman and three children
on the other. The corporation won, and
the woman. after sending her children on
to their destination, had to walk the
streets all night because she had not the
money to pay for room.
Her sad case was called to the attention
of Superintendent Whiting of the San
Francisco aud North Pacific Railroad
Company and he at once gave her trans
portation to Geyserville, where her hus-
band and children are waiting for her.
In September last John Sheffield left
his home in Waterloo, Iowa, to seek new
location IN California. He was tired of
the storms, cyclones and tornadoes of the
East, and after many consultation with
his wife determined to try his fortunes in
the Golden West. he came here and
finally located at Geyserville. There he
built himself home and when all was in
readiness he sent for his wife and chill
dren.
Money was not very plentiful, but still
there was enough to come on. The mother
sold most of her household effects and
to California. The circumstances of the
case were explained to the railroad agent
and he sold the mother two full tickets
and one half-ticket to cover the through
fare of Mrs. Sheffield and her three chill
dren to San francisco.
From Waterloo to Ogden these tickets
were accepted without demur by the rail-
way conductors, and the little family felt
happy. thinking that every mile brought
them nearer their new home. few miles
out of Ogden the Southern Pacific con-
ductor made his rounds and at once de-
manded another half-fare from Ogden to
San Francisco. Mrs. Sheffield explained
the circumstances of the case, and said she
had not the money wherewith to meet the
demand. The conductor decided not to
put her off the train, but took the number
OF her baggage checks.
Nothing more was said about the matter
and last Monday Mrs. Sheffield and her
three children landed in San Francisco
and were all eagerness to get their bag
gage and leave on the San Francisco and
North Pacific Railroad for Gevseryille.
The checks were handed 70 a tran sfer
man, but an hour later he returned and
said there was a charge of SIP so against
tue articles. On seeking an explanation
Mrs. Sheffield was told that the charge
was an extra half fare for one of her chill
dren.
Inc unIOItuuabe woman was IN a GUAM
dairy and acting onIthe advice of the trans
fer man she went to the Office of General
Passenger Agent Goodman.
The gentleman was not in, but Mr.. Dom
aldson listened to her story and CURLY told
her that business was business. and hat
the $12 80 would have to be forthcoming
before the baggage was delivered. Heart,
broken, she returned to the ferries. and
purchasing tickets for the children at half
rates, she sent them on to Geyserville to
join their father. She then made several
more attempts TO secure her belongings.
but they ali failed, and she had to make
the best of thelong night that followed.
Yesterday, on the advice of the transfer
man, she explained her case to Ticket
Agent Megrain at the Tiburon ferry. He
sent her 10 the main Office, and there she
at once secured transportation. Her bag
gage is still in the hands of the Southern
Pacific, and the chances are that a suit for
damages will be the result of It's illegal de-
fanfi0n