davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Roanoke times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1897-1977, 1897-04-28
CUE Z. =
SDrinpfield. o.. Dec 1

j. Payton. is w. Nor tn ST., says:-I
am perfectly willing that my recommen-
dation for Hobbs Sparagus Kidney pills
he made public, for two reasons-flrst,
because it might help others; second. be-
cause believe Hobbs Pills to he a great
medicine. had pains in my back. side
and breast, and was dizzy at times. l
used nearly everything heard of aud got
no relief. saw Hobbs Sparagus Kidney
Pills advertised at Higgins Bros. Arcade
store; l bought II box, and before l had
finished the first box l found that they
had done me wonderful amount of good
and now my back and sides are free from
pain and the dizzy feeling has all left me-
and will be glad to recite my experience
to anyone. J. PAXTON,
Is w North Strpot
The Roanoke times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1897-1977, 1897-04-28

Floods in the British northwest are al.
most as bad MS in the Valley of the Mis-
sissippi, the great and only--diffcrence be-
ing in the fact that there are not near so
many farms under cultivation nor rs
many people in The far North as in the
sunny South.
The Roanoke times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1897-1977, 1897-04-28
REBEKAH SANITARIUM.

\ Private Hospital for the Sick aud for
Surgery, i2l Eighth Ave. S. w.
Trained nurses and hospital adyan.
tages. Accommodations for both male
and female patients Consultation hours
for patients and visitorS from II TO .
o'clock p. III.
The Roanoke times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1897-1977, 1897-04-28
DEAN FRENCH DEAD.

Syracuse, n. y, April 27.--Dean John
Raymond French. vice chancellor of Sy-
racuse University. died at his home in
this city to-day. He was seventy-two
years old and was regarded as one of the
best matheinaticians in the country
The Roanoke times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1897-1977, 1897-04-28
letter, salt-Rheum and Eczema.

The intense itching and smarting, Incl
dent to these diseases, is instantly allayed
by applying Chamberlain Eye and
Skin Ointment. Many very bad cases
have been permanently cured by it. It
is equally efficient for itching piles and
a favorite remedy for. sore nipples,
and chronic sore eyes. 25 cts. per box.
The Roanoke times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1897-1977, 1897-04-28
ACQUITrED OF SI,ANDER

Pretoria, Transvaal Republic, April 81.
The case against Lieutenant El0if, the
grandson of President Kruger, who was
charged with slnnlering the Queen of
England, has been dismissed on the
ground that the evidence WIS conflicting.
The Roanoke times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1897-1977, 1897-04-28

j. S. SHANER'S Kentucky horseshoe
ing shop, 307 West Salem avenue, is the
place to take your horses when they need
attention.
The Roanoke times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1897-1977, 1897-04-28
DEATH OF A pRINCE

Cnrlsrtuhe, April 21.-Prince Louis
William August, of Baden. brother of
the Grand Duke of Baden, died this
morning.
The Roanoke times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1897-1977, 1897-04-28
ROBBERY AT LEwIsBURG.

Richmond, April 27-Burglars blew
open the safe of the postoilice at Lewis
burg. w. Va, this morning and secured
between 5000 ann 800 in stamps and
money.
The Roanoke times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1897-1977, 1897-04-28
DIR. Cady'sj Condition Powders are

just what a horse needs when in bad
condition. Tonic, blood purifier and
vermifuge. They are not food but
medicine and the best in use to put a
horse in prime condition. Price %
cents per package.
The Roanoke times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1897-1977, 1897-04-28
.DlZ1z, = ! M 3. S. S

IS only one OF the danger signals that
nature uses to tell us that our kidneys
are not acting right, ana that we are
i'll danger of Bright's Disease, and
other kidney troubles. When the kid
neys are not doing their duty as filters
of the blood, the poison which should
be filtered ont through the urine, re-
mains in the system and disease re-
suits. This condition can be
The Roanoke times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1897-1977, 1897-04-28

Malaga Grapes and California Pears.
j. j. Catogni.
The Roanoke times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1897-1977, 1897-04-28

rS' Subscribe for The Times.
The San Francisco call., 1897-12-12

I and dignited into courthouse under
Judge Almond. Later it was degraded
into a police Office until demolished IN
1850.
"On February 2S. 1S48 the first election
OF School Trustees ok place. These COM
menced the organization OF a new school.
The census of the town was also taken
and the population found TO number 800,
of which fifty were school children.
The first regularly organized school
under the management of the Trustees
was opened in the following April, being
taught by Rev. Thomas Douglas of y ale.
This school was successful until the gold
craze In 1S49 depopulated the town, leav-
ing the teacher minus scholars, Trustees
and tuition. So be closed school and
joined in the general scramble for wealth.
However. undis couraged by these
tenn porary backsets, the Common Council
of San Francisco again, in 1850, opened
public school for the purpose of educating
the flood OF new school children pouring
into San Francisco. The Trustees hired
Mr.. Pelton and his wife as teachers with q
salary of $500 per month. This school.
which began with three pupils, rapidly
increased until broken up by the great fire
OF 1851.
About the same period the Happy
Valley School was opened in little ai-
lapidated building on Second and Minna
streets, of which l became principal and
which was supported by tuition fees
though 1t was also free to the POORLY
voluntary contributions and appropria-
tions from the Common Council. Mean
while several private schools had been
started in various parts OF the city, and
there were also a mum Der of large
parochial schools taught in the base
ments of Catholic churches.
Finally on Septem Der %, 1851, the
Common Council OF San Francisco passed
free school ordinance providing for the
organization and support o. the common
schools of the city. This Council also
elected the first Board of Education in
California In the following October. T. J.
The San Francisco call., 1897-12-12

Grammar School Mr.. Chapman was, in
1873. elected County Superintendent,
which position he has ever since held,
this year making the nineteenth of his
office. In 1878 he also became a mem ber
OF the State Board of Education until the
adoption of the new constitution.
The high grade OF excellence which the
schools of Santa Clara County have at
tained bears witness to the careful per-
sonal supervision, the untiring energy
and the high ideas constantly maintain ed
by its Superinten lent.
The history of education in San Jose
runs away back to 1911" said Mr.. Chip
man. "At that time there was a parish
school, taught by Rafael Villaincenoio
and attended by the children of the
pueblo. Between that early date and
1851 we have little or 10 record of I'M
portance, but in the latter year there was
opened a Pro testant school, known as the
San Jose Academy. Rev. Z. Bannister
being the teacher In 1858 the Bascom
Institute, a school for young ladies. was
started and Mrs. r. G. Hammond became
the first principal.
"In March of the latter year a commit
tee of San Jose C tizehs organized the first
common school in this county, selecting
Rev. Horace Richardson as teacher. and
II the following = une another common
school was opened in the Baptist church.
The Legislature early recognized the
importance OF giving the children of the
State proper facilities for acquiring an
education. and general school system
was adopted for ali the counties.
THE first school districts in this cOuntv
mum bered fifteen, and were organ zed in
1885. Some of the teachers or that day
are still living, Freeman Gates was the
first County superintendent, but, unfor-
tunately, his reports have all been lost.
The report of Superlnt -ndent Hubbs for
1855 shows that in santa Clara County
there were fifteen publjc-school teachers
667 pupils in actual attendance. and the
school expenditure for that year wBs
$9O37.
The San Francisco call., 1897-12-12

would be suicide who chose Golden Gate
Park as the scene of his final departure
Taking up a picturesque and striking
| attitude in the center of a grassy lawn,
with an appropriate background of dusty
statues and half-fnished bridges, he
pressed a revolver TO his temple. An
other moment and all would have been
| over, but, luckily or unluckily, as 1T hap
pened, policeman hove in sight. The
guard an of the peace was too late to
reach the suicide, but he had an iDsp'ra-
tIon-a thing rare enough among men bers
of the police to be considered remark
able. Drawing his own revolver he
threatened the desperate man with in
slant death if he did not hold up his
hands. OF course, to save his life the vic
tim complied, ard he was spared to en-
joy, 1 hope, happier days. There is
great difference between committing
suicide and being killed.
The ancients, and especially the Jews,
regarded suicide in a mucn more phil
osophical light than we are supposted to
do. The Bible as a curious student has
discovered, nowhere mentions suicide as
a sin, and it is obvious that, under the
Mosaic code. self-destruction was at least
regarded as Unsuitable. Indeed, there are
instances where large bodies of Jews have
deliberately killed themselves 10 escape
capture. Thus, Josephus tells US that,
after the fall of Jerusalem, the siege of
Mar ala was undertaken by Titus. The
res istance was stubborn, but when the
city finally fell the market place was
found heaped with the bodies of the de-
Tenders Only some women and children
survived TO tell the tale. Finding CAPTURE
inevitable, the desperate Jews chose ten
of their number as executioners Each
man barred his neck and waited in patience
for the blow. Then the ten chose one of
their number TO perform the like Office for
them, and finally the only survivor of
hundreds set ire to the building and lay
down to rest with his brethren.
In fact the question of the moral iustifi.
cation of suicide is one which has ner.
picked ethical philosophers from the davs
of Plato, Marcus Aurelius and Seneca
down to the present time. The Stoics and
their adyersaries the Epicureans agreed
upon one thing, and considered suicide
defensloie under proper conditlons
Christian teachers, on the other hand
have always refused to admit any iustiti.
cation for self destruction, and both the
Roman and Anglican churches refused
ecclesiastical burial to the self-murdarer
The barbarous English law. up to so re-
cent date as 1923, even directed the
ourlal OF the oooy at crossroad, stake
driven through the heart. This law was
but survival of the vampire superstition
OF the middle ages, when the opinion
The San Francisco call., 1897-12-12

Do suicide clubs really exist?
II IS question which has occupied the
sociologist and left him perplexed, since
there are no exact data to be gathered on
the subject, and as science has failed to
add to our informal ton the romancIst has
naturally chosen the theme as one favor
able for mystical development, and has
given us thrilling stories of a mystical,
blood-curdhng character about the doings
Of these unholy associations.
Whenever a mysterious suicide occurs,
for which there is no apparent motive.
the i'd ca is revived, and laIely we have
heard a wonderful yarn about a suicide
club at Seattle. l do not believe in this
alleged club, because Seattle is far too
busy and practical place to harbor any
such absurd ideas. Further, suicide clubs.
II they are to be of any use at all, do not
give their memb bers twelve months grace
before committing the pledged hari-kari.
Such an interval of time for reflection
would be sufficient to shake the deter
mination OF even the most enthusiastic
member of a self-destruction association.
Stevenson, out of the fullness of his fer
tile imagination. knew better than to
place his characters in such false posi-
tlon.
When Prince Florizel, playing the part
OF an Oriental Caliph in the midst of pro-
sale London night life, STUN bled upon a
modern suicide club, he found that
short shrift was dealt out to those upon
whom the fatal ace of spades fell. The pro-
prietor of the club, who was careful to
take no part in the game himself, dealt.
three h
table without the fata. ace turning up
AT last, as the story gees, it came 10 the
Prince himself, although he hal only re-
Gently joined the club. He knew he was
doomed, because by the same deal his
slayer, who held the ace of clubs, was ap-
pointed. The preside Mt of the club who
was a shrewd, practical man OF business,
arranged matters so as TO save the victim
all tie bother and anxiety of putting
himself out of the world. Next morning
q brief paragraph in the paper announced
that such and such a man had fallen in to
the river from the embankment and been
drowned, or had tum bled off the upper
parapet in Trafalgar square and broken
his neck, or had taken poison accidentally
in a chemists shop, and the thing was
done.
Stevenson's scheme, though it sounds
very practical on the face of it, was really
TOO fanciful and luxurious for everyday
use. The expense, in the first place, was
prohibitive. 1t cost 940 to join the club
alone, and who ever heard of an intend
ing suicide going deliberately to his death
with the equivalent of 5000 IN his pocket?
Iie would have spent the money rather
The San Francisco call., 1897-12-12

was generally held that the souls of su
cides became those most dreaded of all
supernatural beings, the tlendish ghouls
who haunted the churchyard at dead of
night The idea, like many other occult
beliefs, had its origin in the east, for
when Europeans first visited India the
Hindus of the Malabar coast were found
to hold that the spirits of suicides and
murderers constantly appeared and fiut-,
tered about as phantoms. Yet it is little
more than sixty years since the statutory
justification for such a faith disappeared
from the British criminal code.
Those who wish to see how differently
the ancients regarded the matter need
only turn to the history of Seneca, the
famous follower of Pythagoras. 1t was in
the bad old days of Rome, when Nero was
busy furnishing material for modern
novelists and playwrights. Seneca, who
held the difficult position of tutor to Nero,
found, like many others, that too close
contact with this monarch was undesir-
able. The breach between the phIIoso-
pher and his pupil widened, until at last
Nero, IN an unusually clement mood, sent
Seneca an order TO destroy himself. An
other time he might have had him burnt
as. lamp, like u Christian, but, for
tsnateIy for the philosopher, the EN-
peror was lenient Seneca and his
wife Paulina determined to die together,
and their veins were opened at the same
moment, so that they might slowly
bleed to death in the presence of their
friends. But Nero had weakness for
Paulina, Seneca's wife-perhaps this had
something to do with the order-so he had
her wounds bound up, while Seneca was
enjoined to urge on the happy dispatch.
Bleeding being found too slow Seneca
took dose of poison then not bath and
finally resorted to suffocation by steam.
All the time he held a formal reception,
and the words of wisdom which he ut
tered under these trying circumstances
were treasured up and handed on 10 pos
terity by his friends.
While men of this heroic stamp lived
suicide clubs were q superhuity, and We
moderns, beings OF weaker if more en-
hghtened race, had better follow Millions
admirable advice:
Nor love thy life nor hate; but what thou liv'st
Live well; how long short. permit to heaven.
]. F. ROSE. SoLEY.
The San Francisco call., 1897-12-12

than waste il on a club which could do
nothing for him that be could not do for
himself, The ideal suicide club should be
free as sir to all who choose to join, but
preferably mem bership should be made
com pulsory on political bosses, Office
holders and wire -pullers generally. The
existence OF such a club, run on proper
lines, would provide a wholesome check
on political corruption; it would require
earnest and sincere men to face the risks
of Office and prove their willingness to
serve their country by dying for her.
None others need apply.
AS to the method of working such a
club, it is obvious that if tradit on is to be
held in any estimation, it should consist
of only thirteen mem bers. Why, | know
not except that a hoodoo is popularity
supposed to rest upon the number thir-
teen, and the suppostitious Seattle Club,
[ notice, included exactly that mum ber If
we accept the belief that the first who
rises from a table OF thirteen will die
within the year, then there is something
appropriate in the selection OF the mum.
ber.
But if the thing is to be done properly
there should be no dealing OF cards, draw
ing lots or any such arrangements which
merely cause hideous suspense The deed
should be accom- pIished swiftly, sharply
and at the moment, so that the fated mem
ber should have 40 chance TO repent his
folly, or to 90 insane by broodlng over the
crime which he had pledged himself to
commit. The members should meet as
often as might be considered necessary
perhaps once year would do-ata sump-
tuous banquet. And a: the conclusion of
the merry repast, when mems hearts were
lightened by the wine, when every one
wore, as Ibsen puts it, "Vine leaves in his
hair" then a final bumper of the choicest
vintage should be served. With due SOL
emnity the toast of the departing mem ber
should be proposed, and all should uuaff
the draught together, none knowing
which one out of the thirteen cups was
poisoned. One member would fall speech
less in his chair and the Coroners iurv
would bring in a verdict of death by
apoplexy, heart disease or anything else
which com PLEASANT doctor could be found
to certify. To preserve the club from ex-
tinction new membe could be elected at
each meeting, and thus the institution
would become permanent. An association
OF this kind, run on sound business lines.
would, 1 venture to predict, render valua-
bic assistance to this long suffering coun-
try.
Perhaps our state of civilization is not
sufhcientiy advanced to permit the initia-
uon OF such scheme and people will,
probably, for generations to come, per-
sist In adhering to the old-iashioned in
The San Francisco call., 1897-12-12

Nevins was elected the first Superintend-
ent. and so oil the 18th of Novem Der, 1851.
our present system of public schools was
really inaugurated. During the first year
the board organized seven different
schools in this city mum bering 791 pupils.
In 1854 colOred school was opened and
in 1859 one for Chinese.
"As 10 the high schools" said Mr.. Den
man, "the first one in existence in San
Francisco was started in 1858, on the pres
ent site of the old Boys High School. Ii
was not until 1864 that the girls were sepa-
rated and their high school tablished in
the brick building on the corner of stock
ton and Bush streets.
some time in 1850 the Legislature of
California passed an act by which the
Catholic or ward schools became a part
OF the public school system in this city,
and all teachers except those belonging to
the different religious orders were en-
ployed by the city Board of Education. 4"
One of CaIifornia's Native Sons.
Lemuel J. Chapman. SUPERINTENDENT Of
Schools in Santa Clara County, is a Native
Son, for he was born at TaylorsvIlle, in
P.umas County. He attended school IN
the Berryessa and Pala districts, in Santa
Clara County, and later went through the
San Jose High School. In 1873 he gradu-
ated from the State Normal School, in tn e
anne city. Mr.. Chipman first taught at
Billiards Bar, in Yuba County, but soon
returned TO take charge of the Evergreen
school, near San Jose, where he remained
for one year. Later he attended Santa
Clara College and devoted him self to the
study of Latin, chemistry and metaphys-
les. During all this time, though but
young man, Mr.. Chipman was a mem ber
OF the County Board OF Examination, as
it was then called. In 1874 he was elected
City Superintendent OF the San Jose
schools, which Office he held for two
terms, and was elected the third year. but
resigned to take charge of the Lincoln
Grammar School.
After teaching one year in the Grant
The San Francisco call., 1897-12-12

terms as principal of the school named
after him. He was also reelected TO the
superintendenCy. 1t was in 1865 that he
established a medal fund OF $1,000, IN
proceeds from the interest of which were
to be annually expended in procuring
medals for the brightest and most deserv-
ing pupils OF the Denman Grammar
School.
Mr.. Denman continued his prin cipal-
ship in this school until 1889, when he
resigned and has not since been con-
nected with educational work except as
member of the Board of Education and as
trustee OF the Sja'e Normal School at
San Jose until 1892, having held this posi-
tion just twenty-se ven years.
In speaking o. the history of the early
schools Of san francisco Mr.. Denman
said: The first American school in San
Francisco was organized in April, 1847 in
a small shanty on the block between
Broadway and Pacific street west o; Du-
pont Here were collected from twenty to
thirty pupils, then comprising nearly all
the children in the city. 1t was private
institution, supported by tuition fees from
the scholars and the contributions of he
citizens. This school was taught by Mr..
Marsten, who is entitled to the honor of
being the first Yankee schoolmaster on
the Pacific Coast.
Later in SAT active measures were first
taken by the residents of San. Francisco
to organize a public school. which re-
suited in the erection OF comfortable
one-story schooIhouse on the southwest
part of Portsmouth Square, fronting on
Clay street. An engraving of this old
building has been preserved in the 'an-
mails of San Francisco as one of the most
valuable relics of the past and its memory
is cherished by the early pioneers with
many pleasing associations. Every new
enterprise here terminated into existence !;
here the churches held their first meetings
and the first pubic entertainments were
given. Ait r the discovery of gold this
building was deserted for school purposes
The San Francisco call., 1897-12-12

II one member committed suicide then
every surviving memb might be hanged,
an untoward fastening of events which
even the most confirmed self-destruction-
ist would consider undesirable.
II this law was enforced here there
would be no more rumors of Seattle or
New York suicide clubs, for every mem
Der would be in the position of the
The San Francisco call., 1897-12-12

even mora indignity than that ,of a
murderer. If two persons agreed to COM
nit suicide loge her and one failed in the
attemp. then the survivor was deemed
guilty OF murder. Such law, vigorously
enforced, after the fashion of the old
brutal DAYS struck a death blow at the
formation OF clubs or associations de-
signed to promote the ha bit of suicide.
The San Francisco call., 1897-12-12

dividual method of feIo de Sc. Strange as
it may seem the English common law,
upon hich all our jurisdiction is based,
had a good deal to do with the fostering
of this solitary habit. In strong contrast
to the teachings of the ancients, British
law, from the earliest days, regarded felo
de Sc as crime of the greatest magnitude,
and the suicides corpse was treated with