davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The San Francisco call., 1896-08-02

be deceived and frightened, were arranged
III one grand programme. as he was rot
to be inducted regularly into the order.
All the good fellows of town were posted
on the affair, whether members of the or
der or not and when the night came
which was to remove the veil of mystery
from before the eyes of the confiding mer-
chant the hall was crowded with eager
spectators. The ceremonies commenced
in the most solemn and impressive man.
ner, and as they proceeded, ever and anon
the VIII ole assembly would give a sepul-
chral groan, to which, according to in
structions previously given, the candidate
responded Limbo" AS the evening wore
on and he became more and more terrified
his pronunciation of the magic word be-
came less distinct until nothing could be
made of it but ''Steambo," and he became
Steamboat Jake" upon the spot.
at one time it was represented to him
that each of the three orders must brand
him with a red-hot iron, and 10 fully inn
press him with the reality of the intended
act, they began to dispute among them
selves as to which order took precedence.
Pembroke Murray dated the Masons back
conclusively proving that Adam was the
first member of the Eclampus Vitus, and
to that order was granted the privilege of
first putting Its brand upon the now thor
oughly frightened man. Great demon
strations of heating an iron and of making
other preparations were made, and when
all was ready he was touched upon the
back with piece of Ice. In his ilnagin-
alton he could feel the scorching iron burn
deep into his flesh, and he bounded into
the air, screeching and groaning in the in
tensity of his pain and fright. His yells
and cries could be distinctly heard block
away by people in their houses.
For a long time he writhed and shrieked
under the relentless deceptions OF his per-
secutors, while all were convulsed with
laughter.
Finally his nervous system gave way
under the strain and he fell down in fit,
frothing at the mouth. The merriment
was suddenly changed to fear and appre-
hension. The unconscious man was borne
to his store. where four physicians labored
over him for an hour. No one expected to
see him open his eyes TO the light of dav
again, but he was at last resuscitated and
all danger was past. Before this Murray
had gone home, leaving word with Stills
to come to the house and tell him the re-
suit. As soon as the good news was an
.nounced, Stllts said to John Loag; "John,
have you got the old cayuse down at the
stable 2"
Yes he replied. Said Stills, "Well
The San Francisco call., 1896-08-02
NONE WE'RE BURIED YLIVE

John Sawyer, grave-digger, busily en-
gagged at his trade down one OF the by
paths of the Laurel Hill Cemetery yester-
day, looked up from his work at the ques-
ton Of his visitor and said:
.Yes; notice that it is reported from
England that some movement is on foot
TO provide against burying people who are
not dead"
& He struck his short pick into the earth
once CT twice and then shoveled out upon
the pile at the side of the grave the loose
sand that had fallen under the blows. .
sit is proper precautiSn," he said,
'sfor it is true that no more horrible expe-
rience may be imagined than that of being
buried alive.
sit is not for me to say that such thing
never happened. can say, however, that
in an experience of twenty years in a
graveyard / have never come across sin
gle instance where there were any indica-
tions of life having returned to person
buried.
~ was engaged for year doing nothing
else but taking up the bodies from graves
where they lad lain for different periods
of time extending from five to twenty
seven years. 1t was the occasion of the
clearing up of the graveyards west of this
few years ago. We took up l100 bodies,
and l kept a strict lookout, as did every
other man engaged in the work, for some
sign of body having turned or moved in
the coffin. But there was not one. So
do not have the dread of premature burials
that I once had, although, as / say, it is
well enough to be sure that person is
dead before burial"
'And what would you suggest? ?"
Cremation. 1t is the most sensible and
cleanest, in every way the best method of
disposing of the dead. Although" con-
The San Francisco call., 1896-08-02
2 Observation-Disclosures 1919 QQQQ0O

tinued the grave-digger, pausing from his
work in his interest in his subject, II have
to say that had to remodel nv notions
about the dead considerably as result of
that year of delving into old graves. There
was nothing of that obnoxiousness that is
usually associated with the buried human
body. That is an incident of a few weeks
or months after death. After that IL
passes away and the body simply turns to
dust l saw nothing Of the 'conaueror
worm.' have never seen him in all nv
experience except once, and that was
BODY that remained in the vaults for some
time.
'Ordinarlly can tell JUST about how
body will look at any certain stage after
death. Tell me how many days man
has been dead and how the body has been
cared for and / can tell you in what con-
difion it Is. But that year digging in old
graves found many exceptions to my rule
also. There was woman, for instance,
that we found in one of those old-fash-
ioned narrow iron coffins, bolted together
and sealed, that had lain in the narrow
box for twenty seven years. The face that
appeared under the little oval glass looked
as though it had only ceased to breathe.
It was wonderfully preserved. / suppose
it was the result of the complete exclusion
of the air from contact. When body
was placed in one of those narrow old
iron coffins it came very near being buried.
II learned with regard to this case that
it had been placed in the vaults and
abandoned. No one had come for IL, and 1t
had been buried after time in the cheap
graves that were then being dug up.
There were other instances of the kind.
In the matter of the preservation of the
body very much depends upon the coffin
or easket-as much as upon the embalm-
The San Francisco call., 1896-08-02

ing. If there is the slightest crack or nail
hole this sand will filter through in the
course of few years, and I'LL the cofhn
solid. That, OF course, hastens the. De-
composition of the body.
'Where there was protection against
this the remains were found in many
stages of their return to earth. In many
instances there were only bones and hair.
The hair was preserved to the last always.
Clothes also lasted very long. In one case
of woman tha. had disappeared, all but.
the fragments OF skeleton. a silk dress
seemed in a perfect state of preserva-
tion.
"There was one thing that neither time
nor any other condition affected. That was
gold. We found many pieces OF gold In
the coffins-gold finger-rings, gold cuff
buttons and other jewelry. One man
found $40 gold pieces They were probably
in the pockets OF victims of smallpox.durI
ing the epidemic. At that time bodies.
were frequently hurried to the grave with.
out much inspection. wrapped perhaps in
blanket in which they had died. =.
II found pair of gold sleeve-buttons
myself that belonged to young man who
had come from town in Massachusetts.
wrote there hoping or curious TO learn
something of him, but l received no reply.
I'm nearly every instance the coffin was
coated on the inside with beautiful deli
cate moss that completely enshrouded the
body.
"on the whole said the grsve-digger,
resuming his work, 81 am Of the opinion.
that tue bodies Of persons buried should
not be boxed np-hrst in the casket and
again in the rough box. They should be
plainly casketed, so that their speedy re-
turn to dust should be facilitated rather.
than otherwise
The San Francisco call., 1896-08-02
THE HOOPH WILEY INDIgNS
QQQQQQQQ 2 q 10000

the United States, and scattered through
out the State, living by their own efforts,
were 11,517 of these former much .despised
Digger and other Indians"
The experimental stage OF Indian educa-
ton in Hoopa Valley is passed, and its
isolated native population are demon
strating their manhood and capacity for
enlightened citizenship.
Their kindness to their dogs and horses
makes society for the suppression OF
cruelty to animals unnecessary. An oath
is rever heard on the reservation-not
even from the mule driyers-and from
"Old Judie," the interpreter, who wears
"a store hat and green goggles" to little
Nathaniel, who attends the kindergarten
and la his head upon his teachers breast
in tie cleaning, while she tells him OF the
wide, wide world without the valley, there
is peace.
The Indians believe in witchcraft and
retain az many superstitions as their pale
faced brothers (some of whom have been
to college) paying tribute to the Indian
devil from the same motive precisely that
makes the China man pIacate his joss.
The oldest chief in the reservation, the
patriarch, is named Kah-Hah, and is re-
puted to be 107 years old. The furrows
upon his face are as deep and intelligi-
ble-to the seer-as are the lines which
the sea has carved upon the rocks at
Monterey. He is tall, straight as an In
dian," with long gray hair carefully
parted in the middle, Roman nose and
strongly defined features. His costume.
when in full dress, is merely blue flannel
shirt, but the dignity with which he as
serts in his only English phrase, Me old
man-Saxon," cannot be improved upon.
The Hoopa women-as from time imme-
moriaI-are the basket-makers, weaving
The San Francisco call., 1896-08-02

secret. Stills went to Murray's mouse
ano raped softly on the uoof,
which was opened by the anxious
Justice. Assuming a most lugubrlous eA-
preston of countenance, Stills SAID:
Hes dead as smelt, and 1 am going
to Oregon. Dave Cotton is getting out the
papers now to arrest us. I've told the boys
we were going to Oregon. and Dave VIII
hear of it and ride to the klamath ferry
to capture us. Now, there will be horse
here in a few minutes. Mount hlm, ana
get to Shasta as quick as you can. I'm GO
ing to Oregon on foot, and l will be across
the line by daylight"
Saying good-by, he struck of in the
direction of Oregon at rapid pace. Soon
horse was LED cautiously up to the door
by George Waterhouse who assisted Muir
raw to mount, charging him to get out OF
the country before daylight, ana bade him
godspeed.
The old cayuse was pack animal, to
which any gait faster thana drowsy walk
was an utter stranger. He took as long to
pass any given point as procession. In
vain did the anxious fugitive on his back
cluck, kick and swear. He had no spurs,
no whip to encourage him with. Riding
up to a fence he broke off a picket, and
with this commenced vigorous prod
ding, eliciting spasmodic trot of half
dozen steps and then the walk was re-
sumed. Again and again was the brute
prodded, and again and again did he re-
spond with lone racking trot of six
steps. After slowly plodding along Main
street until Miner was safely passed, the
exasperated man gave vent to his feelings
in flood of tears and imprecations. "This
is pretty beast to give a man to save a
life WITH" he blubbered. eff had pis
tol I'd shoot the man that gave him to me.
If only had knife I'd cut the brute S
throat. Get up, you lazy hound" he
shouted as he dug the offending animals
ribs with the fence picket "Get up; get
up. I'd walk if I wasn't lame. Get up.
Oh, I'll shoot the man that did this
Just then the jokers, who had followed
close behind him, began to yell aThere
he goes!" and to fire thei, pfst0ss. The
sensitive ear of the fugitive caught the
sounds, and he redoubled his exertions to
entice trot from the old cayuse, but in
vain. Wiley Fox soon overlook him,
mounted on fine horse. As he came up
he asked:
''ls that you, Murray
Yes. Is that you, Wiley2'
Yea; and you had better hurry up.
They are after u.s."
IL can't hurry"
"Why not2"
! ''Why, the fools have given me an old
The San Francisco call., 1896-08-02

Hoopa Valley, in Hum boldt County,
an Indian elysium, is a Government
reservation, in which, since 1855. from 4O0
10 GOO Indians have lived under the care OF
agents, and gradually added to their in
berent virtues and vices those of our higher
civiliza ion.
!, California stands alone IN the Union IN
not having recognized the Indians right
of occupancy and given compensation for
lands taken. 1t was this fact, possibly, and
in order to prevent future encroachments
from the whites that in 1856 the Govern
.ment established a fort in the valley,
known as Fort CASTOR.
Fouryesrs ago, in response to the appli-
cation of the Women's Indian Association
of Northern California, the soldiers were
removed, and within two years the bar
racks were turned into an industrial
school, manned and womaned by efficient,
wise and sympathetic teachers.
Lands in severalty have been given to
the heads offamilies which they cultivate,
raising wheat, oats and vegetables. Most
of the Indians can speak English, dress
like white people and live in homes which
vary from the rude. shack made of cast-off
.timbers, and whose architecture is closely
allied to that of Chinese fisherman S hut.
to houses containing floors, partitions and
sometimes cupboards. A saw and grist
mill are.situated on the reservation, which
IS reached by a fifty-mile ride over the
mountains from either Arcat1 or Eureka,
on horseback. on pack mule or by wagon.
Facts Go not lie. Says reliable anthor-
ity: California Indians have been classed
as lowest, mentally, of all American In
dians; and thought to be hopeless in the
matter OF attempted civilization, but in
1890, while there were 5O64 Indians On res
ervations. only 175 received rations from
The San Francisco call., 1896-08-02

either for that matter, in the stable who
had the bravery or the foolhardiness to
take that brute out for q morning consti-
tutional. His owner was an English gen.
tleman who stopped at the Palace Hotel for
nine days. The men at the stable were glad
that he did not stay ten days. He brought
the dog to the hotel, and was quite put out
when they informed him that they could
not accommodate his bloodhound in the
same caravansary. They sent him over to
the Nucleus.
NO, we have not different priced ac-
commodations for different breeds OF
dogs" said Mr.. Brown. 1--WE are purely
democratic in that respect" said Mr..
Brown laughingly. my lady'si lapdog,
be he fieecy white poodle with red eyes
and blue ribbons, or be he snarly little
English pug, sleeps in the same bed, eats
the same food and has the same care be-
slowed upon him as the greyhound, the
setter or the meanest mongrel that should
be brought to my door by responsible
person. But, as l have told you, my bust
ness is that of liveryman, and l would
be glad enough never to have dog about
the place if l could see my way clear to
do so."
1t is the proximity of the Nucleus sta
bles to the Palace and other hotels, as we'll
as Mr.. Browns genial disposition and
kindly treatment of all dumb animals
intrusted to his care, that has made his
place famous as clearinghouse or hotel
for dogs. 1t is run strictly on the Ameri-
can plan, and while all the necessary COM
forts are provided for canine guests
there are certain privileges not ac-
corded them. For instance, canine
guests are not permitted the privi-
lege OF latchkey. Lights are not
allowed in private rooms after dusk.
Guests may not receive callers unless the
same are brought there and vouchsafed
for by some member of the family. There
are no electric lights, no speaking-tubes or
electric bells, and meals may not be or
dered at any or all hours. Messenger boys
and cabs are not to be secured by card.
There are no privileges of the bar. and
guests are not permitted the luxury of a
fire in their room nor the privilege of
blowing out the gas. To offse. some of
these seeming disadvantages are certain
rules and regulations which place guests
of the Nucleus canine hosiery in rather
an enviable position as compared with
guests at many OF the fashionable caravan
saries for the human animal. One of
these IS that guests are not expected to
part OF the walters or attaches of the house
to the management. Another is that tip
ping is positively prohibited.
The San Francisco call., 1896-08-02
IGN0BhE
ORDER OF ECLANPUS
VlJUS
Not a New Story, but Good

The recent case of, hazing at West Point
and the revelations concerning that acad-
emy made in THE SUNDAY CALL few
weeks ago have recalled to the minds OF the
old settlers and residents OF Siskiyou
County the days when there were similar
occurrences in this county. These were
the days OF the "Order of Eclampus Vitus"
the salad days OF Yreka.
The story has been told before. 1t is
part of the history of Siskiyou County.
Yet the younger generation knows it not.
Their elders will appreciate its recital now,
| am assured. There lived merchant in
Yreka. He sold dry goods and clothing.
His name was Jacob Ehrenbacher, but
they called him "Steamboat Jake"
1t was in the palmy days of Yreka, in
the year 1856, that Mr.. Ehrenbacher felt
his heart drawn toward the noble princi-
pies of ODD Fellowship, and sought to
unite himself with that order his actions
in the matter led those to whom ne APP
piled to believe that he wanted to join for
the purpose of becoming sick, apparently
so, and enjoying the benefits deyolging
upon one in that condition. 1t was re-
solved to punish him and give him such
an idea OF secret societies as would Danish
from his mind all thought of joining one
in the future.
There was at that time this lodge of the
Most Ancient and Honorable Order OF
Eclampus Vitus, an order that existed
simply and solely for the sport that could
be had in Initiating noyices into its mys-
teries. The ceremonies were the most
tudicrous and awe-inspiring that the fer
tile brain of man could conceive. Into the
order three practical iokers of the town
Pembroke Murray, George W. Stills and
Wiley Fox-proposed to induct the in
quisitive merchant. They represented to
him that for the modest sum OF $50 he
could join the Odd Fellows. Masons and
"Eclampus Vitus," and took his applica-
tion and cash, having royal good time
with the latter.
The most appalling ceremonies OF the
Eclampus Vitus, as well as all the means
they could devise by which man could
The San Francisco call., 1896-08-02
SUICIDE OF a CAT.

On Wednesday of last week full-grown
black cat was observed sitting on the edge
OF the sidewalk on Washington street, just
below Battery, and attracting the atten-.
ton of passers by her unfestrained and:
piteous mewing. The proprietor of one of
the fruitstores of the locality who owned.
the animal said the cat has been suffering
from toothache for over two days and had
been acting for all that time in the most
distracted manner. For over an hour
pussy remained on the sidewalk, when =
seeming to have suddenly come to de-
cision it deliberately ran under the feet OF
team of horses attached to passing
truck and stopped there. The horses
stood still and the drivers attention be-
ing called By the strange actions OF the
cat he deliberately struck 1t vita the
whip, which caused the cat to Jump TO one
side, when the horses proceeded, but no
sooner did the truck start again than
pussy ran back under the wheels, which
passed over it's neck and thus the cats
toothache and melodies were stliied ior-
ever. Fifty persons saw the performance
and it was their unanimous opinion that
the cat com mitted suicide.
The San Francisco call., 1896-08-02

would have been cheaper, upon the whole
for me to have taken out license and pur-
chased collar in the first place. She
came and went as she pleased, and was
pretty well known all over the neighboT-
hood by the name that the boys christened
her with when Chambliss first sent her
over here.''
1t was due TO the notoriety which this
dog brought to Mr. Browns establishment
year or more ago during his suit in the
Police Court against w. II. Chambliss for
the maintenance of this animal that the
knowledge of MIR. Browns hotel for dogs
became public property. And while MFR.
Brown candidly admits that considera-
bic business in the line of boarding, lodg-
ing and caring for CANNES has been forced
upon him he does not seek fame as the
proprietor of dog hostelry.
''Some people have thought my charge
of $169 for the keep of this dog was ex-
travagant,' said he. "They ought to
know the real cost of caring for dog in
the way do. For food alone the expense
amounts TO about 20 cents day. Every
morning l send to the butchers and buy
meat. Of course, don't get porterhouse
steak, but 1 do get fresh, wholesome meat.
| L send to the bakery for bread, and then
have a bread and meat stew cooked in the
yard. This is the regular fare for all the
dogs in my care, unless the owner is will
ing to pay an additional price for more
delicate menu. Leaving out of count the
difference between the dogs and horses
food, / would much rather care for
horse, even at the same price. You don't
know the amount of watchfuIness and
care that q good dog requires. A horse
has to be curried every day, but l would
rather curry horse twice than bathe
dog once. There is carbolic soap to buy.
hot water to procure, and usually a most
refractory brute to deal with. On an
average it takes as long to clean dog as
it does to clean o horse. Then, too, when
the horse is in his stall he is quiet and
contented, while every other dog that
comes TO my place spends all of his time
that is not taken up in eating in trying to
raise the dead with his yelping.
Some of the dogs that have to care for
have cost me and my men good deal
more than the price paid for their keep.
They had big bloodhound once that was
SO ferocious that they found it necessary TO
keep him chained tightly in a stall all by
himself. That dog had an Unsuitable appe-
tite. The regular allowance for another
dog amounted to barely an appetizer for
him. They doubled his allowance, then
they trebled it, and yet he chewed the
stalls in pieces and tried to masticate his
chain. There wasn't boy, or man
The San Francisco call., 1896-08-02

them from the strong roots OF certain
grasses and decorating them with the mid
rids of ferns. Without any machinery
but their deft fingers these patient Pen-
eIopes of the forest produce baskets whose
tautness defes time, usage and water leak
age, and the geometric accuracy OF the
colored designs wrought in them without
any pattern for guide is a marvel. Some
day the Indian woman will be both poet
and painter.
The most solemn, grotesque, yet impor-
tant, of the festivals of the Hoopas Is
known as the white-deer dance, which oc-
ours every three years, lasts ten days, and
is of as much importance to them as a
Fourth OF July celebration to US. 1t is a
thanksgiving for the fruits of the earth.
The men who work on the farm on week
days, who race horses or who sing Gospel
hymns on Sunday will paint barbarously
on this occasion, deck their heads with
woodpeckers' feathers and load their hall
naked bodies with necklaces Of polished
shells, shaped like tiny hollow horns, and
broad girdles of red, white and black deer
skin.
An old CHIEF, while preparing dancing
rattle-stick, expQunded TO teacher the
origin OF the great deer dance. His words
were as follows:
Good young man live long time ago.
Never swear, never kill, never touch
women. He no die, he go away. He here
now, we no see him. He say, Have
dance He God."
Then, in low, deprecating voice. he
gave in terse terms the equivalent of each
com mand in the second table of the law
if we take "Iniun God say no cheat" as
relating to our tenth commandment, and
"Iniun God say no lie" to that of the
ninth. NELLIE BLESSING EYsTER.