The San Francisco call., 1896-11-26

near as they could Judge. He said that
he would be back at noon, but he failed to
return.
Before leaving he packed up all his ef-
fects in trunks, which the aucticneer and
his assistants moved into a back room
there to wait until the owner should re-
turn. Those who moved his effects found
in his room some refuse copper which fur
nished food for comment for a long time.
These consisted of lot of copper
cups about the size of ferules for small
canes. As these to some extent resem-
bied percussion caps, such as are used on
the end of blasting fuse. i. as suggested
that the little cups were part of the ma
terial to be used, as Attorney Hart sug-
gested, for the destruction of Havana.
The romance of these little pieces of
brass was shattered, however when it was
learned that DR.. Benjamin has been ex-
parimenting upon continuous bridge
work for teeth and these little cups were
the crowns for rows of artificial grinders.
Many of these cups were taken away by
the auctioneers assistants for souvenirs,
but upon being told that they were only
unfinished store teeth the men tossed
their copper cups into the street in dis
sgust.
DR.. Benjamin did not return during the
afternoon or evening and although in the
evening dim light was to be seen in one
of the rooms no response was made to a
call at the door. In truth the door bell
was fastened on the inside. Thus DIR.
Benjamin disappeared. Whether his
effects have been removed or not is a mat
ter of conjecture.
In connection with the movements of
DR.. Ben jamin there is one incident that
apparently connects him with the in
ventor of the airship. 1t will be remem-
bered that several people who claim to
know much about the new ship of the
skies have stated that it was built near
Oroville and that its first flight was taken
therefrom on the night that the lights
were seen in Sacramento. Also that the
inventor and owner is or was wealthy
resident of Orovile. The latter statement
was made by Attorney Collins at the time
when ex-At:ornev- General Hart said that
he talked TOO much. On that occasion Mr..
Collins stated that the inventor was
brought 20 him by a client. In the same
interview he acknowledged that DR.. Ben
jamin was his client, Subsequently he
said that DIR. Benjamin has wealthy rela-
tives in or near Oroville.
1t was learned last evening that few
days before the appearance of the air
ships lights over the Sacramento Valley
DR.. Benjamin went 10 Oroville to see his
relations.
His visit at that particular time has
given rise to some speculation in the
mind of DR.. Joseph D. Hodgen, secretary
of the State Board of Dental Examiners,
OF 1905 Sutter street. Last evening DR..
Hodgen said:
II have known DR.. Benjamin for some
time. He comes from Maine, i believe.
He is not regular practicing dentist but
he gives much of his time to experiments
in dental work. OF late he has been at
work upon continuous plate bridge work
in artificial teeth, an idea he got from
dentist from Oregon.
About two weeks ago I met him with
his gripsack in his hand on the street,
and he told me that he was going to Oro-
vile or Auburn for week. l am sure.
come to think,of it, that it was Oroville
and not Auburn. He said that he was
going to see his aunt. I have not seen
him since. The day / saw him was either
on the 18th or the 18th inst Soon after
that saw the first accounts of the air-
ship over the Sacramento Valley"