davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The San Francisco call., 1897-11-14
ALL THE DURR
FAMILY INSANE
An Old Man and His Three
Daughters Consigned to
an Asylum.
They Were Too Proud to Ac-
cept Charity and Were
Nearly Starved.
Former Acquaintance Hope That
Food and Rest May Restore the
Unfortunates to Health.

There was a sad scene in Judge Carroll
Cooks department of the Superior Court
yesterday when old John Durr and his
three daughters were adjudged to be in
sane and were ordered to be sent to the
State Insane Asylum at Ukiah.
In yesterdays CALL the story of this
unhappy family's mIsfortunes was told
to the public. They were formerly pros-
porous. and when penury came they were
too proud to accept the assistance of char
ita BILE people, and so, rather than beg,
they went hungry. Recently they had
been unable 10 secure even the necesaries
of life, though Mr.. DUR, who is 20 years
old, has been peddling some small trim
kets about the street in the hope of gain
ing sufficient to keep the wolf from the
door.
They had been unable TO paw the rent
of the basement apartments at 172 Clin ton
Park. and this distressed them exceed
ingly-so much so in fact that they fretted
themselves nearly to death-and this
the entire family.
The Durr family was at one time very
wealthy. The father was one of the firm
OF Kennedy & Durr, who, in early times,
kept large dry-goods store at Third and
Howard streets, the firm later removing
to Market street, opposite Fourth.
When the father was accumulating his
fortune he gave the daughters the advan-
tages of a good education. Kate, the
eldest graduated from the High School
and was afterward given a teachers GER
tifcate. Theresa graduated with high
honors from the Notre Dame Convent in
this city and was writer OF some ability.
After the girls left school the father be-
gan TO invest in stocks, first making a
little, then losing, till gradually his for
tune dwndled away. The loss of their
property affected the girls minds and
they began TO grow morbid and even re-
fused visits from the neig hbors, fearing
their impoverished condition might be
discovered.
Mr.. Durr could not be found on Thurs
day night when his daughters were ar
rested, but yesterday morning he was dis
covered wandering aimiessly about the
streets and was taken in charge by the
officers.
In court they presented most pitiable
sight, clad as they were in rags and rem
nants OF clothes. They continued their
sullen department until after they had
been adJudged insane and then their bet
ter feelings seemed to be aroused, es-
pecially when they learned that they
were all to be sent to the same place and
that they were not to be sep parated. So
much pleased were they with this pros
pect that they consented to take some-
thing to eat and after the Grst few out b.
fuls were disposed of th0y abandoned
their suspicious about the food being
pois soned and ate ravenousIy.
1t is believed by some of the former
friends of the Durr family that plenty of
food and some rest will revive their faded
physical and mental powers to such an
extent that they may return to their as
sociations in this city, where they may
still hope to gain an honest livelihood.
The San Francisco call., 1897-11-14
GERMAN ODD FELLOWS.
Entertainment by the Lodges of District
No. of San Francisco in odd
FelIow.' Hall.

Harmony, Germania Concordia, Herm-
ma Vorwaerts and Hecker subordinate
and Walhalla and Concorda lodges of the
Rebekahs. which are all German organza-
tions and make up District No. 2 OF this
city, gave an entertainment last might in
Odd Fellows Hall, which for the occasion
was most tastefully decorated. There
was good attendance of the me m pership
and friends to enjoy the programme that
was presented. After an overture Deputy
District Grand Master Emil Nlemelr made
few Introductory remarks in German
and then introduced Grand Representa-
tive James G. Mcguire, who hvered an
eloquent address on fraternity and the
beauty of the WORK of the Odd Fellows.
After that there was a German comedy,
"One OF Them Must Marry" Emil Me
melr. August Marks, Laura Marks ahd
Josie Lafontaine being in the cast.
This was followed by dancing The af-
fair was under the direction of the follow
ing named:
Committee of arrangements-H Weser, H.
Barthold, c. Roeber, Helena Roeber, D. Klaus
H. F. Mass, Il. Schlichtng, H. Hu schmidt
NJ. Jaeger, Flora Bauer, William Reuter-, Anna
Babelstein; floor manager, H. F. Schlichting
Jr.; assistant floor manager, Fred H. sic be.
The San Francisco call., 1897-11-14

days ago that they met with any success.
The officers have kept the matter of the
burglare es very quiet, as they were unable
to arrest any of the culprits, who went
about their work with as much regularity
and earnestness as mechanics whose cali
Ing IS legitimate. They do not seem to
have feared the police, for in many in
stances they paid return visits to those
hOnses which they had been frightened
| from by The awakened inmates on the oc-
casion of their first call
This was the case at the home of Mrs.
Cook, at 1928 California street. On last
Saturday night two burglars entered the
house by cllm bing to the roof and getting
into back room through a window
which had been left open. Mrs. Cook was
awake, ana hearing some whis pering IN
the hallway called ont, thinking that it
was her husband just getting back from
town. The burglars put out the light and
ran from the house. They did not secure
any booty as they were frightened away
before they had chance 10 explore the
premises.
On last Thursday night two men, pre-
sumabIy the same ones, entered the house
IN the same way. but were scared away by
the WatchIul mistress of the house before
they could get anything worth carrying
away.
man named PumIy, who lives on
the thrift of the burglars. His house was
entered short time ago, and consideTa-
Die pIunder was gathered up by the night
visitors.
The residence of a Mr.. Myers, who also
lives in the Richmond district, was visit ed
several nights ago, the burglars effectlng
an eatrance by means Of skeleton keys.
The same method of getting INTO several
residences In the Western Addition which
laTeIV adOnted
the burglars, and tins fact leads the police
to believe that the work was all done by
the same men.
Considerable booty was secured BY the
Burglars from the many houses visited,
but any accurate information as 10 the
amount taken was difficult TO obtain, as
the police have cautioned the people
whose houses have been entered not TO
talk 100 much about the m after.
The Police Department has been at its
wits ends. Detectives Crockett and SIlvey
have been detailed on the case, and sew
eral officers in plain cothes have also
been stationed out in the districts where
the burg laries occurred.
The detectives were partially successful,
for on last Thursday night they arrested
Sid Kellett, thief who has already served
time in the County Jail. He was caught
ringing the door bell al PIP Sutter street.
When taken to Jail ana searched pick
lock and some skeleton keys were found
on him. A Dig revolver was found showed
down in one of his boots. kellett was
placed in the tanks at the City Prison
TO await the further Investigations of the
police.
The officers believe that they have got
one of the men who have been commit
ting most of the burglarles in the western
districts. Most of the houses burg larized
were entered with skeleton keys, ana
some of these articles were found on hel-
lett the officers believe that he had a
hand in all of the burglar1es.
The San Francisco call., 1897-11-14
SHE WILL STUDY IN BOSTON
Miss Mae Little, daughter OF Chief Engineer A.

ngineer A. d. Little of the Mail steamer
Alameda left for Boston yesterday to
perfect herself in her musical studies.
The young lady has very fine con-
tralto voice, and for several years has
been soloist in the Central Methodist
Episcopal Church. She was great
favorite with the congregation and has
host OF friends in the city, many of
whom crossed the bay with her in order
to prolong the necessity of saying good
by. The steamer Alameda sailed for
Australia last Thursday and Mss Little
was down to see her father off. Thev
are not likely to meet again until the
young lady returns a graduate Of some
OF the best NJ musical schools in Boston.
80 the parting was painful one.
Miss Anna Miller Wood, who has been
on a visit to her relatives here, also re-
turned to Boston yesterday, and Miss
Little went in her care. Miss Wood is
the contralto in one of the Hubs fash.
ionable churches, and she will be of
great assistance to her companion in get
ting settled in her new sphere of life.
On her return to San Francisco, Miss
Little will MAKE music her profession.
Her charming voice will be a welcome
addition to the con cert-stage ana in ora
toro music she will shine. She leaves a
mum ber of pupils behind her in San
Francisco. and these will all flock to her
standard on her return. Her friends ex-
she may get homesick in the meantime
The San Francisco call., 1897-11-14

sailed by the odor that came from the
sewage under the Branch Receiving z
Hospital the tug steamed down to the
channel and the wretched condition of
the outlets were observed. The system
was loudly condemned, and Will be taken
up a the next meeting OF the board.
Having com pleted their work the tug
was headed toward the Union Iron Works,
where landing was III ade, and from there
they visited the various interesting points
on the bay.
The following grand jurors were on
board the tug: Hiram H. Hobbs, James
A. Shook, ]. N. Much, c. o. Burton,
Charles S. Stanyan, George Schaier, Henry
s. Martin, Hugo d. Kei!. Luke Battles,
Daniel o. Sullivan, E. 7. Donnelly l. w.
Hellman j.. and F. L. Turpin. Samuel
Waller of the Board OF Education added
his his voice to the sweet singing on the
homeward journey.
The San Francisco call., 1897-11-14
WATER. But NO CUP

cups be lifted his hands in holy horror
What! The oxide of copper on those cups
was extremely poisonous, and If drinker
happened to have a sore mouth mig hit
give him blood poisoning. Accordingly
a hasty message was dispatched to his
Honor the Mayor. This was supposed to
he private. bul the inevitable man who
knew the letter was sent happened along
ana the story is ont.
Yesterd ay people wondered why the
cups had been taken away. Until they
read this article they will still wonder.
Other cups of different material will
doubtless be placed in their stead. Then
the public will have 10 wait for the next
manifestation of the 'hoodoo.
The San Francisco call., 1897-11-14
MENACE TO HEALTH,
Grand Jury 1nspects the Sewerage Out
lets and Reach That Conclusion.

Grand Jury 1nspects the Sewerage Out
lets and Reach That Conclusion.
A mere inspection of the sewerage ont
let system OF this city was but necessary
to acquaint the members of the Grand
Jury of its inadequacy and its danger to
life.
That such state of affairs existed
which confronted the committee YES.
terday was surprise is putting i, mildly.
They were astounded. The Grand Jurv
following up its work of looking after tn g
city's welfare, yesterday took up the con-
dition of the water front. The State tup
Governor Markham, was placed at their
di -posal, and Colonel Chad bourne and
Major Harvey of the Harbor Com mission
accom- panied them TO explain matters.
Alter having their olfactory organs as.
The San Francisco call., 1897-11-14
MUST HAVE THE MONEY.
A Tale Which Carries Its Own Mora
With 1t.

A Tale Which Carries Its Own Moral
With 1t.
During the time the Dingley bill was
in debate before Congress, manufacturers
in Europe made large stocks of goods in
anticipation of big orders from America
Some of these manufacturers have made
more than they can dispose Of. and are
eager to realize on the goods for cash.
Charles Lyons. the London tailor. has
taken advantage of the opportunity,
and offers the public the benefit OF his
skill in buying. The fine English trousers
TO order at 81 per pair or two pairs for
81 so are values that have never been seen
here before, and if you want a business
suit you can see variety at $13 so he
suit to order, which are we'll worth double
the money.
These goods must De cleared at once,
and are at the main store, 72l Market
street, In the Bancroft building.
The San Francisco call., 1897-11-14
THE USE and
VALUE OF GLASSES
Prgudices Of Old Giving Away to
Reason.

Every one knows in general way that
spectacles are worn to assist the sight,
and there is large mum ber that know
nothing more than that they help the
aged TO see to read and the near-sighted 10
see at distance. The prejudice against
glasses has, on the one hand, acted to
deter persons from wearing glasses who
really need them, and. on the other hand
has acted to influence employers to de.
cline to engage applicants for work who
are wearing spectacles.
1t is hardly possible in these few lines
to atte mpt 20 com bat those rreiudices or
to present arguments sufficient to prove
their fallscy.
The San Francisco call., 1897-11-14
Farewell of the Henschels.

Albert MARKS has induced Mr.. and Mrs
Georg Henschel to give good-by song re-
cital at the Metropolitan T mpie to-mor-
row afternoon. At this time of day it is
needless to say anything about the art of
these singers. In their own graceful
sphere they are Incompatible. The fol-
lowing are the songs:
Duet, "Quel OndA" A"............. 800. Padre Martini
ta) Keciative and aria from "sqsanna Handel
Mr Hensche
(dl "Die Junge Nome" scbrha-.
{b) "HadenrOslen" '''''-''''' ''''''O
(c) 'Staendchen". Brahms
Mrs. HenscheL
Ballad. Archibald Douglas s'............... Loewe
Mr. HeuscheL
{b) sL'Abee" " idor
(c) The sunny Beam" m"....-..............H Hensohel
Mrs. Henschel.
Duet from "The Tanning of the Shrew". ...... G. oetz
Mr.. and Mrs. HenscheL
-Four songs from "Der Trompeter ack-
ingen" ....... ..... Henschel
Mr Henschel
Cd) ''Loch ma CARR
{b) ''C a the YOwes S.............. Old scottish
lei "Oh, Whistle"
Mrs HenscheL
Duet Hunting Tower. ...-.... ..... Old Scottish
Mr.. and Mrs. Henschel
The San Francisco call., 1897-11-14

and washed the monument away, where
upon the little fellow cried bitterly.
This story seems to be paralleed in the
case of San Francisco's youthful Mavor
with the exception that "hoodoo" is
emulating the work Of the rain. When he
set no the monument at the intersection
of Market, Mason and Turk streets his
bosom doubtless swelled in justifia bic
pride as the thought presented Itself:
This will serve unto all observers con-
tinual reminder of the time when l occu-
pied the Mayors chair"
Then came the "h oodoo." Something
had been Overlooked. Every body came
The San Francisco call., 1897-11-14

neglected in his plans to make arrange
ments for wafer uppiy or the contractor
had BADLY bunglec his job. Just solid
foot of granite lay between the water pipe
and the artistic OK skulls on the side OF
the monument from which the modern
Pierian stream was expected to flow.
Every body connected with the great
work of art. from the donor to the man
that made the last chlsel mark, scratched
their heads IN sore perplexitv, for the
mistake would be hard to remedy.
The San Francisco call., 1897-11-14


and surveyed the work
of arI and said: Nv hat
a beautiful designl So
fitting TO remind one
of the lays of pion-
ears p And then some
busy body-the world is
full OF them, it seems
got 20 prying around
and finally exclaimed:
"But where is the
water p Alasl there
was none in sight.
Or cour e, it was only
a slig ht mistake after
all The slight mis-
take lay in the fact that
either the architect had
The San Francisco call., 1897-11-14
ADJUSTMENTS.

- BALDWIN THFATFK Lost. Strayed or -olen'
CoLUHBIA IFFATFR-1he Herrmsnns
CALIFORSIA THEATEE.-itaan opera
MoRosco's OPERA-HoUsE- The Lost Para
disc
A1CAzAR THFATFR The Ugly Duckhng
TIvoLI OPERA HOUSE, The Geish@
ORPHFv-M -High-CIass NhuurN...
METROPOLITAN TEMPLE. - Sacred OrchesVI@i
Concert. this afternoon.
MErRoPor1rAN TEMPLE Song Recital, Mon
day afternoon, November ID
UBERON.-,,r,liu concert
kUTRo BATHS Bathing and PerformancsN
The CHUTEs AND CHUTEs FREE THEATEB--
Great Vaudeville Company every afternoon and
evening.
OAKLAND RACE AcK-Races to morrow.
AtCHANICs PtNrIIoN - Boxing, thursday
evening, November Is.
The San Francisco call., 1897-11-14

with the necessary IMpIementS were
called into reuuisition. He smote the
monument and the water gushed forth,
bur but not It freely. The spirit who regulated
The hood 90" evidently thought the oper-
alton travesty on the action of the great
He rev prophet and caused the flow to be
sometimes sluggish and at other periods
freer while some of the street gamins are
certain that there are times when no
water at all will come forth to wash NIL
crobes down the throat.
Be this as it may, the "hoodoo" is still
In operation. A few weeks ago four
The San Francisco call., 1897-11-14

bronze cups, two Tor
the skull Of each OK,
were fastened 10 the
m on u m e n t wit d
chains. Then the Deo-
pie came by and drank.
The evil spirit seemed
to have been baked (;
but not so. He had
things planned that
wav all the time, 80 IT
is reasoned now.
Architect V. A De
Prose- happend to pass s
by the monument a
few days ago, and
" N on ha saw those
The San Francisco call., 1897-11-14
FOR SHIP-BUILDERS
Drawings of Many Vessels to Be Seer
at the Chamber of Com
merCe.

George H. Webb, New York's famous
ship builder, who is now in his ninetieth
year, has presented the Cham Der of Com
merce of this city with two elaborate vol
umes of plates showing drawings OF
every type OF vessel, from fishing smack
to a man-of-war, which Webb has con-
structed during his experience. which ex-
tends from 1840 to the presentyear. These
works are of reat interest to builders and
others interested in ship archite cture, and
for their benefit they will be kept at the
rooms of the association for public in
spection.
The San Francisco call., 1897-11-14

But this little boy was
i'm b ued with a
stronger am b it / o n
than his fellows, so he
wrought an artistic
monument out of the
plastic material and
set it up among the
'pies." saying:
"W hen you all come
here later on and see
this you will remem-
Der hat to-day l was
with you" But the
rain fell the next day
The San Francisco call., 1897-11-14
Residences in the Richmond
District Also Visited by the
Craoksmen.
OyE OF THE BURGLARS APPREHENDED
Capture of Sid Kellett, Who Is Be-
Heved to Have Done Most of the
Work-He Had Skeleton Keys.

a series of burglAries which have BAT.
fed the police have recently been COM
mitted in the Western Addition and the
Richmond district. The residents of
nose localities are in q constant state of
alarm, not knowing what night the en-
t= rising wielders of the jimmy would
paw them visit
The police have been making great
efforts to apprehend some of the gang, for
it is believed that the burglaries are the
work of gang. but 1t was not until a few
The San Francisco call., 1897-11-14

IL w 1Ol W llA uO W dLS
for the thirsty the mon
ument would only Of
fer an excuse to thu e
topper 20 adjourn to a
neigh boring saloon to
,quenc ch his thirst. And
then, too, people would
make rem arks and it
would have to be ex-
planned to posterity in
he daily press at regu-
lar in tervals for nobody
knew low long.
So the services of a
Imodern Moses in the
shape OF a pium ber
The San Francisco call., 1897-11-14
JAMES F. SMITH, M. D.
CHARLES F. MCCARTHY, NJ. D.

The above speaks volumes. Think of
it 552 children out of a total of 1925 with
defective vision, and only thirty of that
mum Der provided with the means to see
properly and thereby protect the health
of ewes and body. What would you saw
ii 522 children were sent TO our public
schools, at all seasons of the year, unpro-
vided with shoes and stockings and upon
half allowance of food? Draw your own
conclusions. Can parents afford this /?
We say, no.
Little Sympathy.
People who have strong eyes usually
have but little sympathy for those who
are less fortunate in this respect. The
necessity OF glasses to assist a child in
school work-which will put them on
more even footing with the other stu
dentists not appreciated by many parents
who are otherwise thoughtful and con-
siderate Of the welfare of their children,
and who are, in many cases, un-
dergoing privation that their chill
dren may secure an education.
Do not be too ready to Judge
these children, as having a lad for glasses
or wishing to wear them because some of
their play mates do. Better be little over
cautious in having the child's eyes ex-
amined than to take too much response
bility in your own hands. We extend a
special invitation to those interested in
this subject to bring your children to us
if their eyes are not perfect. We make a
specially of children's eyes and believe
that we are better pre- pared to do this class
of work than any one else in this CITY.
Do not neglect this opportunity, as we
offer you examination free for a short
time. All our work is absolutely guar
anteed. We are permanently located and
do as we promise. Office hours from to
6. Open evenings this week till g.
Drs. Seymour & Co.. Opticians and Ocu-
lists, rooms 415-l6-17-18, Emma Spreckels
building, 927 Market street; take elevator
to fourth floor.
The San Francisco call., 1897-11-14
AUCTION SALES.

EY J. NJ. NEIsoN.-Monday, November 49,
Horses, at Alameda Racetrack-
by b, BRANDENs TEN q Co.-Mondayi NoVem-
ber / 5, Horses al New Mon ntsomery ana Mission
streets, at o cloCh.
BY W. 6. LAYNG & CO.-Wedresday evening,
November II O cldeutaI Horse Exchange, at
72I Huvar rd st, at 7 30 P NJ
The San Francisco call., 1897-11-14
"John Calvin"

The second lecture in the course under
the auspices of the Young Peoples Associa-
ton of the Presbyiery OF San Francisco will
be ellvered by Rev. William Alexander, DID.
professor of church history, in the FIRST Pres
byterIan Church, Van Ness avenue Friday
evening, Novem ber 10. at 8 O. clock The su b.
ject will be: John Calvin and the GeneYan
Reformation"
The San Francisco call., 1897-11-14
A RECENT TEST OF SIGHT
MADE IN OUR SCHOOLS,
Half Of Our Children Have Defective Sight

We call especial attention TO the recent
report made py the school boari OF this
city, which should be carefully read by
every parent. Now that the care of the
health of the eyes of the pupil has be-
come one of the recognized duties of the
teacher, we herewith append report:
SAN FRANCISCO. CAL, Oct. q, 1917
90l Suffer street.
Samuel L. Waller Esq, Chairman Health
Committee-DEAR SIR: We beg leave to
submit the following results OF the ex
amina lion of the eyes of 1125 school chill
dren:
Number with normal sight. .573
Mum ber farsigh hted. 267
Number astigm attic. Observation-Disclosures 237
Mum Der color blind Observation-Disclosures. 8
Mum Der cross eyed Observation-Disclosures. II
Number wall eyed Observation-Disclosures. 5
Among the 552 defective pupils thirty
are provided with correcting glasses.
Respectfully,
JAMES F. SMITH, MD.
CHARLES r MCCAPTuy M n
The San Francisco call., 1897-11-14
Forec!osirg ortgages.

Suits to toreclose mortgages have been flea
by the HI bernia Savings and Loan Society as
follows: Against Bert E. Wertheimer George
P. Rutland and George Gottiuger for 1912 SO
and costs; against JACOB Ahlback, Maria AhI-
back ana e. &. Sturr for S3025 and costs.
The San Francisco call., 1897-11-14
Teeth without Plates,

DR.. C. G. Bush OF Drs Bush & Son, Kearny
street, has returned from the East with a new
system by which teeth can be set firmly in the
mouth without the or inconvenience o
plates, also of gold and porcelain crowns.
The San Francisco call., 1897-11-14
Electric Sign Company.

The Electro-Motto Sign Company has been
incorporated by Joseph E. Shearer, John L.
Cahill, Jason W. Nash, George L. Cahill and
G. w. Ro bertson, wi capital OF $780,
0O0 OF which $500 has been subscribed.
The San Francisco call., 1897-11-14
DRS. SEYMOUR s. co.

Opticians and Oculis.s
Rooms 415-16-17-1S, Emma SnrscLa.s
Building, s27 Market Street, Take
Elevator to Fourth Floor,
The San Francisco call., 1897-11-14

u nee upon time, so the story goes,
| little boy was playing with his
- comrades, and all were engaged in
the pleasant pastime of making mud pies
The San Francisco call., 1897-11-14
MAYOR PHELANS FOUNTAIN "HOODOOED? o.
A NEW MOSES

But it would never do to let the foun-
tain remain in that condition. Oh,