davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The San Francisco call., 1896-04-03
Return of William II. Chamber.
lain, Once a Shining
Light.
BE HELD MANY GOOD OFFICES.
Liberality and a Propensity for Bor.
rowing Got Him Into Diff.
cultieS.

William II. Chamberlain, ex-National
Bank Examiner, ex-president of the Dirigo
Club, ex-president of the Union League
Club, ex-freight auditor of the Southern
Pacific Company and ex-assistant secre-
tary of the Pacific Union Club dropped
into town the other day as suddenly and
quietly as he dropped out three years ago.
Chamberlain was shining light among
those who were in the political swim in
1892 and 1898 and almost everything he
asked in the way of political honors was
given him.
He aided materially in the organization
of the Dirigo Club, that was afterward
merged into the Union League, and was
made its president. Later he was given
every honor that the big Republican club
could confer. and when President Harri-
sons turn for naming postmaster for
San Francisco came around Chamberlain
was pushed forward for the office.
1t seemed almost within his grasp, when
Samuel w. Backus made bid for the
place, and his influence being stronger
than that of Chamberlain the latter was
shelved temporarily. Later it was found
that a position as Nationa! Bank Exami-
ner was open ana he received the appoint
ment.
In order to accept this lucrative position
he had to resign his position with the
Southern Pacific Company that he ad
held for several years. While he was in
the zenith of his prosperity and was looked
upon as coming leader in Republican
politics rumors began to spread that all
was not well with the funds of the Union
League Club. Chamberlain was not ac-
cused of making away with them except
by his enemies, but an employe was found
to be short, and he was held TO be response
bic for the deficit. The matter was quietly
settled up and nothing more thought of it
until Cham berlain was suddenly relieved
from his position of Bank Examiner
1t was given out that it had been dis
covered he had borrowed money from
number of banking institutions, which it
was his duty to investigate, and that the
accounts of a number of banks had not
been as closely scrutinized as they should
have been.
From that time his prestige waned and
he suddenly left the City and was known
to his old haunts no more. Some of his
old friends gave out that the constant
worry of politics had undermined his brain
and that he had gone to private institu-
ton, where ne could be taken care of.
This was denied by his relatives, however,
and his name became but a memory
among his former associates.
Within the past year he has made him.
self somewhat prominent in Los Angeles
as political organizer and was supposed
to be on the road to prosperity again, so
that his sudden advent here is puzzling
his acquaintances. 1t is believed, how
ever. that he is looking the field over with
view to re-entering local politics in case
favorable opportunity appears.
At present he is soiournine in Oakland
and seldom appears on this side of the
bay
The San Francisco call., 1896-04-03
HISTORY OF A DAY.
Alameda County Happenings Told in
Brief Chapters.

Alameda County Happenings Told in
Brief Chapters.
OAKLAND OFFICE SAN FRANCISCO CALI
908 Broadway, April 2. !
George True has transferred 10000 gallons
of wine TO the California Wine-makers' Syndi-
cate.
The Rev George W. Beatty of Chester-street
NJ. f. Church has gone to Palo Alto to assist
the Rev VI. II. Alexander in revival meetings.
The Eureka Oil Works. situated in West
Berkeley, were attached this afternoon to sat
isfy a judgment OF SlS2S 81 in favor of J. J..
Higgins.
The three men arrested at Mission San Jose
on charge of selling liqubr 10 INDIANS were
discharged, as there was not suficie n evidence
upon which to hold them.
Dr. Knox, the well-known dentist, is grad
ually recovering his health DR.. w. II. Craig,
who left Oakland year ago, has returned and
Will take charge OF The Office of Dr. Knox.
Republicans of the Forty-eighth Assembly
District will meet on April at 8 P. NJ. in Ger
mania Hall for the purpose of organizing the
Forty-eighth Assembly District Republican
Club.
Rudolph Bartsch, the pottery man who is
vency. His liabilities amount 10 $321- There
is M realty, ard HIS personal property isvalued
at $162.
The Daughters of Liberty, Oakland Council
No g. will hereafter hold their meetings on
THURSDAY evenings at Fraternal Hal, 1l56
Washington street. instead OF Friday evenings,
as formerly.
A decree of foreclosure has been entered in
the case OF the California Mutual Savings Fund
Loan and Building Association of San Fran
cisco ys. J. r. Gray and others The amount
involved is $3997 25.
DR.. Z. r. Ollie will give his patriotic lecture,
IA Pilgrimage to American Shrines," illus
trated with the finest stereopticon views, at
the Twenty fourth avenue NJ. E. Church on
Friday evening, April 3, at 8 o'clock.
1t is currently rumored that the California
and Nevada Railroad is soon to be extended to
Corral Hollow. The matter has been under
consideration for some time, and il is stated
work viii commence within the month.
The Mayor of Minneapolis and the Council
men W no are with him on the tour of the coast
viii be invited to make visit to this city be-
fore they return. The reception to the visitors
will be placed in the hands of the Merchants
Exchange.
Judge Greene ordered L. ]. Finley, who is
suing for divorce from his vile, Annie Agnes
Finley, to show cause on the 18th inst. why he
should not be punished for contempt OF court
in refusing to pay his wife alimony in the sum
Of $25 month.
The San Francisco call., 1896-04-03
MAY Be III DARKNESS,
Lights Must Be Shut Off
in the University
Library.
Modest Colds Decline the Student
Unconstitutional New Boat
Crew.

BERKELEY, CAL, April 2.-There is
strong probability of the lights in the
library at the university being shut off
within few days, because OF the lack of
fuel to supply the furnaces. All the coal,
with the exception OF about ton, has
been used, and there is no wood. No
money is available in the lighting fund
for the purchase OF any more fuel. 1.-THE
consequences will be that the lights will
have TO be turned off," said Professor
Cory to-day, ''as soon as the small
amount of coal runs out, unless we get in
new supply. The lighting of the
library is done through a private
fund. We cannot draw on the
university treasury for help. The wiring
of the building and the necessary coup.
ment were put up by private donations,
and the means to keep the dynamos gong
were also donated. Since the money in
that fund has all been used we can do
nothing but to stop the lights when the
fuel runs out.2
To-day some of the students turned
their hands to cutting few cypress and
eucalyptus logs for the furnace so as to
keep up the lights which would enable
them to study at night in the library. AS
the examinations for the year will soon
begin the library will be in great demand
from now until the end of the term
especially at night, and the students are
expressing hope that enough money can
be raised to pay the expense OF running
the dynamos, which is about 81 night.
Boat Races.
BERKELEY, CAL, April 2.-The four
classes of the State University have each
OF them organized boating crew to com.
pete in the interclass regatta on Sessions
Basin, Oakland, on Saturday afternoon.
The SO crew consists of Peck, Wilson.
Allen and Wittehmeyer. English. Nc.
Donald, Cole and Dean or Breckenburg
will row for '97. The sophomore oarsmen
will be Trew, Hopper, Grimwood and
PIendergast. The freshmen who are to
uphold their class honor in the regatta are
Gibbons, Castlehun, Jackson and Fryer.
In addition to the interclass races there
will be single-scull races, for which four.
teen men have entered, as follows: Hop
per, Hammer, McWade, Mcdonald, Nor
row. Smith, Easton, English, Peck, Trew.
Pudan, Kennedy. Blake and Cole.
The Modest Co-Eds.
BERKELEY, CAL, April 2-Students
of the State University to-day inaugurated
a movement to give the basketball co-eds
a rousing reception, such as is given 10
football teams, on the last night before
they meet Stanford, but the co-eds who
are practicing basketball objected. 1, is
possible, however, that students will in
sist upon a farewell demonstration, in
spite of the fact that the basket-ballers
The San Francisco call., 1896-04-03
CHARGED WITH CONTEMPT
Alameda City Trustees Ordered
Into Court by Judge
Frick.
Elwood Bruner's Latest Move in the
Electric Light Works
Dispute.

ALAMEDA. CAL, April 2.-The men,
bers of the Board of Trustees have been
ordered to show cause tomorrow before
Judge Frick why they should not be
punished for contempt of court in dis
obeying the temporary injunction issued
restraining further work by them upon the
electric light building Improvements.
Attorney Bruner, as attorney for J. T.
Fleming, the plaintiff in the litigation,
made this move after having paid visit
to the electric light premises this morning
and noting what work was in progress and
what had been done since the issuance of
the order from the court.
He went to Oakland and asked for an
order of citation and it was granted. The
order, which was served on each of the five
Trustees, reads as follows:
You are hereby cited to appear before the
Judge of this court, at the Courthouse, in the
city of Oakland, on Friday, the Sd day of April,
1896, at 8 80 o'clock in the forenoon of that
day, then and there to show cause, if any you
can, why you and each of you should not be
punished for contempt for the willful violation
of the temporary restraining order heretofore
issued requiring you not to permit
occupied by the electric-light plant in the city
of Alameda, in said State, until the further or
der of this court.
City Attorney Taylor became cognizant
OF the issuance OF the order while in Oak.
land this morning, but did nothing. He
has case set for trial in the Justices
Court tomorrow, and will probably ask
for a continuance OF the bearing of the
contempt proceedings until at later date.
Peculiar interest attaches itself to this
case, as it is said to be the first in Cali
fornia in which municipal governing
power has been cited to appear for con-
tempt.
30 lofa 90 \
Bruner, attorney for j. T. Fleming, in the
attempt to prevent the Trustees from en-
larging the electric-light plant so as to be
able TO sell light to private parties. Flem-
ing says he is only nominal plaintiff,
having allowed them to use his name, al
though he has no objection to the city
selling light.
The Trustees cited for contempt are: T.
W. Lydecker William Hammond, A. V.
Clark, f. ]. Fletter and ]. F. Forderer.
The San Francisco call., 1896-04-03
WAS ALL CUT AND DRIED
The Cutting Divorce Case
Settled by the Husband
Getting a Decree.
Mrs. Cutting Is in England and the
Cause of the Separation Was
Not Made Known.
OAKLAND OFFICE SAN FRANCISCO CALI
9OS Broadway. April 2, {

OAKLAND OFFICE SAN FRANCISCO CALI
90s Broadway, April ?.
Francis Cutting of the Cutting Packing
Company of San Francisco, who has re-
sided in this city for a long time, was
granted divorce from his wife day by
Judge Frick, on the ground of desertion.
The case was called at an earlier hour
than usual this morning. The petitioner
was re presented by w. H. Chickering and
the defendant, Mrs. Frances E. Cutting,
by ". w. Foote and T. G. Coogan. The
matter was so arranged that the family
skeleton was not revealed.
Francis Cutting, the petitioner, was
called to the stand. He testified that he
had been married to his wife in Massa-
chusetts in 1858; that he had come to this
State soon after that. and that his wife
came here in 1861. In 1875 Mrs. Cutting
had gone East, and had remained there
ever since save on the occasions of some
short trips which she had made to the
coast. The last time the witness saw his
wife was in March, 1895. She was then in
San Francisco. He had conversed with
her there, and had expressed TO her wish
that she would return to him and resume
her relations with him as wife, but Mrs
Cutting declined to comply with the re-
quest. She went East later. and he had
not seen her since. During all the wears
OF her absence from her home, however
the witness said he had provided for her
support.
Miss Mary n. Patterson TOOK the stand
and testified that she was first cousin of
Mrs. Cutting and her confidential friend.
She knew that Mrs. Cutting would not
return to her husband, as she had often
said so.
Mrs. Cutting is now in the Isle of Wight,
and she had given the witness authority
to employ counsel to protect her interests
in any proceeding that might be insti-
tuted. The instrument delegating this
power to the witness was attested by Gen.
eral Collins when that gentleman was an
American Consul TO England.
Judge Frick, after hearing evidence from
Attorney Chickering. who was sworn as a
witness, granted a decree of divorce and
awarded all the community property to
Mr.. Cutting. This plan had evidently
been settled previous to going into court.
The San Francisco call., 1896-04-03
ACTION AT ALAMEDA.
The Regular Republican Club APP
points a Conference Com
mitteeS.


ALAMEDA, CAL, April 3.-The Regu-
lar Republican Club held meeting at
G. A. R. Hall. A committee consisting Of
Edward Hanston, E. A. Won Schmidt and
j. P. Clark was appointed to confer with
the clubs of Oakland with view to secur-
ing primaries for the selection of delegates
to the State Convention.
Alexander Meckie addressed the meet
ing, his remarks being made for the pur-
pose of having the club amalgamate with
the Alameda Republican Club. The
proposition was not favorably looked upon
by the regulars and nothing was done, the
two retaining the same positions as in the
past.
1t was decided to send letter to the
Alameda Republican Club proposing that
each club select list of delegates and
then hold joint election for delegates to
the State Convention.
A committee of three was appointed to
confer with E. K. Taylor of the State
Central Committee and make arrange
ments for the holding of primaries
The mock election OF President resulted
in victory for Mckinley, who received II
votes. The other candidates received votes
as follows: allison 13, Lincoln 8, Reed 1.
The San Francisco call., 1896-04-03
FIGHTING FOR PRIMARIES
Ward Clubs Are Not Disposed
to Submit TO the "Com.
mlttee of Six"
Interest Over Federal Appoint tment
at Berkeley-PopulistS Are
Active
OAKLAND OFFICE Saw Fp.xc,sco c,,,

OAKLAND OFFICE SAN Francisco CALI
9Oo Broadway, April 2.
If the committee of conference, consist
ing of three members from each of the
ward clubs, shall decree that prim aries
are advisable they will be held notwith-
standing the action of the COMMITTEE of
six, ;" who have already decided in favor of
appointing delegates to the Sacramento
convention. Ifprimaries are attempted the
movement viii be due to the ward clubs
in Oakland and Alameda which have ap-
pointed members to the conference COM
mittee. In this movement the new club
in the Fifth Ward and the First Ward
Club, OF which DR.. b. a. Rabe is presi-
dent, have led the way. The Second Ward
Club under z. NJ. Fishers presidency has
SO definitely declared its preference for
primaries that it is regarded as certain
they will sustain the action of the other
clubs.
Should arrangements be made for pri-
maries it would be done by these confer
ence committees meeting together and
adopting plan- Among mem bers OF the
First Ward Club the favorite plan appears
10 be to have the club conduct the pri-
mary and 10 hold il in the evening, so that
workingmen and business men can par
ticipate.
a. the meeting of the First Ward Club
lest night it was decided to instruct the
conference committee to take measures to
have primaries held in the city of Oakland
on or before April 25.
: A second First Ward Republican Club
was organized Tuesday evening by w. II.
Siedentopf, which is said to be interested
The San Francisco call., 1896-04-03
HE WAS A swINDLER.
A Colored Man With a Bogus Letter
From Rev. Mr.. Duncan.

A Colored Man With Bogus Letter
From Rev. Mr.. Duncan.
ALAMEDA. CAL, April 2.-Constable
Won Kapff arrested negro on Park street
yesterday for vagrancy who proved to be a
swindler. The negro's name was James
Walker. When caught he was collecting
subscriptions for colored people, and in
tin box that he carried was found the sum
of 81 80. result of his industrious begging.
A bottle of whisky was found in one of the
pockets of the mans trousers. The scheme
for collecting money was an ingenious one.
The beggar had several circulars, which
read:
SAN FRANCISCO, 3-3l go,
We, the colored people of this City, make an
appeal to all white citizens for contributions
ser sent iu upon US from Oregon fhey were % taken @
white miners would not work with them be-
cause they were negroes. They are here and
cannot obtain work, and are in great distress; ;
will drop something in this box for them, il
only s. 10, 25 or so cents. Yours most re-
spectfully. REV. GEORGE DUNCAN, Colored.
After Walker had been searched and
placed in a cell in the City Prison he was
observed by Officer Carroll to put his hand
to his mouth and begin to chew. He was
tearing up the circulars and trying to eat
them, but he did not get them all out Of
sight. One was taken from him and, after
having been pasted to another piece of
paper, was made out to read as above.
Justice of the Peace Morris sent the vag-
rant to the County Jail for six months
upon his plea Of guilty to the charge
against him.
Rev. Mr.. Duncan is wellknown colored
clergyman in San Francisco. His name
on the circulars had been forged.
The San Francisco call., 1896-04-03
The Ruling Spirit Strong.

The prosecuting attorney of North
Missouri county and a young attorney
noted for his persistence were recently try
ing the preliminary hearing of criminal
case before justice of the peace. The
young attorney asked many prevalent and
incompetent questions, and when the
prosecuting attorney would object would
always say:
Your Honor, before you pass on that
objection l want to argue 1t"
Finally the young man asked the snme
question the seventh time, against the
Prosecuting Attorneys objection, when
the prosecutor, losing his patience, said
in loud aside:
-, are never going to get ove- being
a confounded fool?"
Whereupon the young fellow jumped up
with his usual remark:
"Your Honor, before you pass ON that I
want to argue It,"
The San Francisco call., 1896-04-03
"BIG-FOOT DAVE. /"
The Moose Tightens Around the Gold
Brick Man.

The Moose Tightens Around the Gold
Brick Man.
The gold brick swlndlers are the draw
ing card at the Police Court this week.
Assistant District Attorney l.. S. Church
and Prosecuting Attorney H. A. Melvin are
doing their best to bring out the necessa ary
evidence to show the conspiracy between
sBig-foot Dave" Gordan and Root in the
swindle, but Attorney Emil Nusbaumer
is fighting for every inch of ground, caus-
ing much delay.
J. A. Leon ard, clerk of the Metropole
identified Root, alias Raymond, alias etc.,
as E. D. Nesbit, who registered at the
hotel in January; also testified that Farmer
Hofstra was there off and on during Nes bit $
stay. Hamilton Coleman, manager for
Max Marcus, testified TO his dealings with
Root under the name of Miller regarding
storage of trunks, which he was told con-
tanned hardware.
Nusbaumer tried hard to have the testi-
mony ruled out, as it had not been shown
that the contents of the trunk were for any
illegal purpose, but failed.
Richard Briare, proprietor, and Samuel
Frazier porter, of the Metropole, testified
to Root being at tne hotel under the name
of Root: of "Big-foot Dave Gordan's Wis
it's, as we'll as Hofstra's, and the hand
lings of the heavy trunks.
A. Gates, the livery man, testified to
Root and Gordan being at his stable to-
gether on several occasions.
Detective Graham of San Francisco tes-
titled that he knew Root as Billy Ray
mond and 'Big-foot Dave" as Charley
Gordan; had seen them together in San
Francisco saloons on several occasions.
Nusbaumer tried to have this ruled out, as
it was after the alleged swindle; but the
court ruled against him.
After some further testimony the case
was continued until morning.
Wants Depew to See Oakland.
OAKLAND, CAL, April 2.-Hon. Chau,,-
cey ". Depew, on special train, San Jose, Cal.
Will be pleased to have you and Mr..
Vanderbilt take drive through Oakland
and vicinity some day this week. If agree
able kindly notify me as to date.
"M. ]. KELLER,
president Oakland Board of Trade"
The above dispatch was forwarded shortly
after noon to-day and was followed tonight
with letter urging the gentlemen to come
to the 'Athens of the Pacific" while on the
coast. If they come drive all oyer the
city will be arranged, with visits to the
points of interest.
The San Francisco call., 1896-04-03
It Spread Till Twenty Thousand
Dollars Worth Was
Consumed.
EASTERN MILLINERY BURNED.
Broadway Again the Scene of a Dis.
astrous Blaze-Foretold by
Eva Fay.
OAKLAND OFFICE SAN FRANCISCO CALL,l
OO2 RroqdWav April q


908 Broadway, April 2. I
Fire broke out in the Ainsworth block
on Broadway this morning and before it
was extinguished four stores were Quilted
and the damage amounted to $50 600.
The fire started in the rear of G. Cash
more's paintstore, 1011 Broadway, and it
worked its way north through Kohler &
Chase's music-store, then into Briggs
millinery-store and was finally checked at
Moran's clothing-s store.
1t is supposed that the fire originated by
spontaneous com bustion among the var
nish, turpentine, wallpaper and other
inf1ammabe material that was stored in
the basement. After burning for some
time in Cashmore's store the thin par
tition between the paintshop and the
piano-store was demolished and the
fame fed on pianos for while. Then il
burned through into the millinery estab-
hshment and the clothing-store. The
dense, greasy smoke settled on every
thing wherever it penetrated and did as
much damage to the musical instruments
and clothing as though they had actually
been reached by the fire. The cellars
were divided by heavy brickwork, but there
supplied the neeoed draught for the big
blaze. The buildings are SO constructed
that it was impossible to reach the cellars
until the flames above had been partially
checked.
The fire was a dangerous one for the
men to handle, owing to the frequent ex-
plosions as the flames reached the various
barrels of oil and varnish.
Following are the damage and the insur-
ance:
G. Cashmore-Stock valued at $9O00
totally destroyed. Insurance: Alliance
$1,000, Caledonia $500. Manchester $4,000
total, $500.
LIE Roy H. Briggs-stock, $4,000; loss
by fire, water and smoke, $4,000. Insur-
ance: Etna $4,000, Manchester $1,000, North
American $3.50; total, $500.
Kohler & Chase-Loss about $4,000;
fnlly insured in various companies.
]. T. Moran-Damage by smoke un.
known; covered by $5s 900 insurance.
The Ainsworth block is insured in the
Springfield and Alliance companies fol
$4,000, while the damage will probably
reach not more than $1,000.
While experimenting the fremen
Chief Fair found his predecessor, ex- Chief
Lawton, in Moran's store, and at once or.
dered him out. There was passage of
words between the two men and the Chief
threatened arrest, but there was no more
trouble.
During the Eva Fay entertainment at
the Maedonough last night Chief Fair
asked her how soon there would be an.
other big fire, and Miss Fay said, "Within
twenty-four hours, and it will be big
one." 1t came within six hours. the alarm
being turned in at 4 80 this morning.
A Dwelling Burned.
OAKLAND, CAL, April "A dwelling.
house was burned tonight about two
blocks off Park avenue in Fruitvale. A
hay barn attached to the premises took
fire and made big blaze, which caused
some unauthorized person to turn in
general alarm. The whole department
turned out, but long before it could reach
the fire the flames were put out by the
local company. The damage will not
amount TO $500.