davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The San Francisco call., 1897-11-05
Suicide AND WILL
MYSTERIES CROWD
THE PROBATE COURT
Judge Cofey Hears Noted Case Alive With Dark
Problems for the Tribunal to
SolVe

John Gallagher, n. D.. autopsy surgeon-(by
juror)-Q-Did the evideEc, of the wound ap-
pear as hough it was Sc i-inilcted
A-Yes; ii was self-infiicled wound. There
is no question about that.
Verdict-Self-nfilcted.
One of the things that made it appear as
if the wound was self-inhlcted was the
fact that deceased has often threatened to
end his life. Judge Fitzgerald was away
at the time of Capron's death. He is here
now, and his attorneys will ask many
more questions of those who wer. around
the dying man than Coroner Hawkins
ever dreamed OF propounding.
The next sep in the story unfolds itself
in the appearance of Mrs. Nellie McDer-
mott of Natoma street, this city, with a
Photographic will made by CaproD on A pril
I6, 1897 1t grants most OF tho Capron es.
Ia te to Judge A. L. Fitzgerald and his
family. The Judges father-in-law had
been a friend OF Capron and had granted
him favors and given him situations by
which he laid the foundation OF his for
tune.
Capron was great friend of Mrs. Nc
Dermott and her mother. In the hours
of his deepest Loneliness and desolarion
be visited their modest little home on
Natoma street, told item his SORROWS,
partook OF their chicken dinners, and
made them his most confidential friends.
When Mrs. McDermott produced the
will Judge Fitzgerald lost no time in
having it offered for rebate. Some of the
reasons that impelled the old man to
change his mind and ann vi the provisions
of the first will favoring the stepdaugh-
tiers, appear in the testimony of Mrs. Nc
Dermott.
judge Fitzgerald offered the will for
probate on july l. On the same day. by
advice of his counsel, Henry Maynebaum,
The San Francisco call., 1897-11-05
MORE WORK,
CRY THE
WORKERS
City Hall Park Commits
sioners Out for I'm
prOVement.
A fLllllVN lU NUPEkE EENUkN.
They Will Not Stop at Secur-
ing the Market-Street
Pleasure-Ground.
ARE READY TO BRANCH OUT.
Other Works May Be Undertaken if
the Proper Sanction Be
Given.
ARE READY TO BRANCH OUT,
Other Works May Be Undertaken if
the Proper Sanction Be
Given.

The members of the City Hail Park
Commission, while sure of the success OF
their enterprise, seem to have slight OBJ
lection to devoting their time exclusively
to securing the park. but desire also to do
something else for the z ood of the city at
the same time.
The park is sure thing, there is no
doubt Of that, but many other improve
ments are badly needed, and the Com mis-
sioners think these can be secured at the
same time as the park if the matter be
left in their hands.
This was suggested by Mr.. Dohrmann at
a meeting of the commission held in the
Mayor office yesterday afternoon. and it
at once became popular, and the follow
ing communication requesting further
jurisdiction will be presented at the next
meeting of the Board of Supervisors.
To the Honorable Board of Supervisors of the
City and County of San Francisco
The following resolutions have been unani-
mously adopted, and are herewith submitted
to the earnest consideration OF your honorable
board:
WHEREAS, This committee was appointed at
the request OF the Board OF Supervisors wi tn
special instructions to Investigate and report
upon the advisa bility OF the reacquisltion by
San Francisco of the former City Hall lots for
park purposes; and whereas, after careful con-
sderaUion of this proposition. your commit
tee believes that report upon this subject
alone would neither do full justice to the
views of the members of the committee nor
be salts factory to the voters and taxpayers of
San Fran cisco; there fore, be it
ReS0tUed, That your hon rable board is here
by respectfully requested to include within
the province of this committee such other
necessities and contemplated Improvements
as are also desira BILE, but cannot be pro-
vided for in the regular tax levy OF the city
and county.
Permit us to mention among the matters of
absolute necessity the following subjects: ~
Suitable buildings wherever necessary for
hospitals and for school, police and fire de-
partment purposes; (2J An improved system
of sewerage and drainage; (3) Modern pave
ments upon number of our principal stree is.
This committee should also be authorized to
consider any propositions for improving and
beautifying this city, so to add to its desir-
ability for residence and business.
Hoping that the foregoing conclusions will
commend themselves 10 the favora BILE consid-
GRAFTON of your honorable board we remain,
very respectfully yours, THE COMMITTEE.
The San Francisco call., 1897-11-05
A CENTENARIAN DEAD.
Lucy Evans, Formerly a Slave
of Thomas Jefferson, Died
Yesterday.
4 Remarkable Woman Who Did Much
Good During Her Long and
Interesting Life

Aunt LTcy Evans, colored woman, 100
years old, died at the home of her daugh-
ter Mrs. Julia A. Harris, at 1903 Jones
street, yesterday afternoon.
Mrs. Evans was typical "down-South'
negro, and during her life told many in
teresting stories of slavery times. When
a girl of about 25 she was owned by
Thomas Jefferson. and was house
keeper in his family. She had a re-
markable memory, and told friends of the
visits of George Washington and Andrew
Jackson to the house of her master.
Among the treasures she has picture OF
Jackson and Jefferson taken toge ether.
She lived with the Jeffersons at about
the time the daughters of the ex- residen t
were being educated, and often spoke
of the wonderful fact that the girls
were sent to Europe to school.
After the death OF Jefferson she and her
hus band were sold to a doctor, who took
them to Galveston, Tex, where they re-
mained until 1857 when they were again
sold to man who brought them to San
Francisco.
In those early days, versed as she was
in the art of preparing herbs for medi-
cinal purposes. her services as a doctor
and nurse were greatly in demand, and
many of the early pioneers owe their
lives to her careful nursing.
Until recently, when her increasing age
prevented her, she has been a ladies'
nurse, and is well known among some of
the wealthiest families in the city, who
will greatly miss her in time of sickness.
The death of Mrs. Evans was caused by
old age, and was as peaceful as the burn
ing out of a candle. The past few days
she had not been feeling as well as usual
on account of the fact that she was cutt-
ing her second set of teeth.
Yesterday she seemed particularly
bright, and had just finished eating a
hearty lunch when the grim messenger
came with his summons Mrs. Harris
had left the room for a minute and on re-
turning found her mother had tainted
Sne was put to bed but did not regain
consciousness.
A few DAYS ago, in talking OF her life, Mrs.
Evans aid that all she wanted now was to
be assured that she would be given re-
spectacle burial There are q number of
people still living here whom she
nursed, and it is expected that they
will see that her last wish is gratified.
The San Francisco call., 1897-11-05
MhCUIRE'S
EARLY BIRD
CAMPAIGN
Max Pepper Quietly Opening
1t Through the State
With Clubs.
IDANlINU DlNIhIJl WVhkEnN.
State President of the Iroquois
League Starts General
Organization.
SULLlVANITES ARE FOR MAGUIRE.
Wiseacres See in the Governorship
Fight the Hope and Goal Of
the Dictator's Faction.
SULLIVANITES ARE FOR MAGUIRE.

Congressman Maguire's gubernatorial
campaign is getting along nicely and
quietly, like an early bird on fresh and
peaceful morn, but there is low and
swelling mpaniment that is being
played on whetstones hereabouts. for the
keen Joy of knitting tThe Little Giant
already blesses in antici patton the hearts
of host of Democratic anti Maguires.
Max Pepper, president OF the State
League of Iroquois Clubs, has actively in
hand the great work of organizing one or
more Democratic clubs under Iroquois
auspices i'll every district in the State, and
as Mr.. Pepper is one of the most ardent
Of Maguire's supporters. it is being freely
charged that he is using the Iroquois
organization to get up a big Mcguire ma
chime.
The scheme which Presid mt Popper has
been authorized by the league to carry
out contempiates the appointment in
each district of one man, wno shall in
rurn take unto himself four or five other
Democrats. These shall, if possible, or
ganiZe a club or clubs, but if not they
shall remain agents for the distrlbut on of
campaign literature, etc., and the doing
OF concerted political work. Mr.. Pepper
has not formally appointed these Demo
CTdUlC nuclei, DuC ne mas IN au6 up MS
MIND as to a majority of them and all
will be named and notified soon.
The operation OF the new primary law
Is to be one OF the first things to be pressed
on the attention of these club fathers, and
each one will receive with his appoint
ment copy of the new law with instruc-
tions to see that Supervisors ct al. do
th cir duty promptly and properly in
January. 1t is said that they re mainly
Maguire's friends who are being ham ed +,
but however that may be this is The list
so far Max Popper has decided Oh 1t:
Alameda County Postmaster Obermiller
Hay wards; I. C. Stoddard, Alameda; Alex
Rosborough, Oakland.
Alpne-Treasurer J. darcy, Markleville.
Inyo-A. v. Eibeshutz, Independence; Judge
r. Minor, County Clerk d. j. Hession.
MoLo-C. L. Hayes.
Amador-A. Caminetti; C. L. Culbert, County
Clerk.
Butte-J. H. W. Montgomery, Chico; S. H.
Wilson, w. P Lynch.
Calaveras-T. r. Lane, District Attorney
John j. Snyder.
Mendocino-J C. Ruddock, Ukiah
Merced-County Clerk E. Hicks, T. c. Law,
Shasta-H. O. Bratnerd, Kedding.
Modoc-District Attorney j. +. Baker, Marion
Hughes.
Mon terey-District Attorney T j. Riordan,
B. V. Sargent. V. P. wilkins, Salinas
Napa-Dstrict Attorney Theodore Bell,
Henry Hogan.
Nevada-senator C. H Prisk, Grass v LEY =;
County Clerk John J. Greaney.
Orange-Chsrles Edelman, Orange.
Placer. Hamilton, Auburn.
Riverside-Mark Piaisted County Clerk A.
J. Condee.
The San Francisco call., 1897-11-05

16, 1897. JOIN S, Capron was well known
ali over the West. He was found dead at
his home, 1919 DevisaGero street, early on
the morning OF June 90 He left several
wills, an estate worth $50, 900, three step
daughters, who claim under one Of the
wills, and a name for spotess integrity.
District Judge A. L. Fitzgerald OF Eu-
reka, New, an old friend of the deceased,
claims the bulk of the dead mans fortune
under a Photographic will dated April 16
1897 Under this instrument the step
daughters are each remembered for about
$4,000. The weIl-known Nevada iur-
ist is now in the city making a fight
for the share named IN his friends last
will.
The other interested persons engaged in
the great legal battle are three stepdaugh-
teIs-Mrs. Hattie NJ Kearnev, Mrs Mar.
garet Manion and Miss Mamie Grear
Their contention is that their stepfather
was insane IN his last days; that he was
unduiy Influenced by Judge Fitzgerald,
and that the will propounded by the
Judge does not express what was the dead
mans real intention.
In opposition to this view, Judge Fitz-
gerald stands by the Will OF April 10,
1897 denies undue influence or any in
huence save the proper one of friendship
and alleges that the stepfather despised
his stepdaughters before he died, and
thought they mad treated him cruelty.
The story OF the contest is quite interest
ing and the striking points naturally
group them selves in chapters.
Chapter 1 brings the world face to
= L H..
OF John S. Capron. His body was found
in MS bed; cause OF death, a bullet
wound. James Kearney, nephew of the
husband of one of the stepd aughters, who
is contestant in the case was sleepins on
the foot of the bed whers the capitalist
was killed. There were rec shots, some
Of which went high and wild, plowing
through the headboard of the bed and
through a picture hanging high on the
wall. 1t is in evidence that the attendant
for such was Kearney's Office in the SICK
room-did not near the shots. They were
heard by q policeman and Others, who
had some difficulty IN rousing the house
hold.
The inquest was held July 2. The Cor
oner's records are very brief. The follow
ing are the entries on the books AT the
Morgu9:
guest of John S. Capron, July 2, 1897.
James Kearney, machinist 1919 Devisa.
dero-Well, about ten minutes past 2 last
Iuesdsy NJ ornlng my aunt woke me, and she
wanted to know who was making that noise
She wanted me to get up, and did not wake
/ am very hard sleeper, and turned over
and went to sleep again. The next thing
/ heard was shot, and l got up and ran TO
the bed. l saw the revolver in his hand. /
took it out OF his hand (Capron's) and woke
up the rest Of the family, and then
the police officers came in. That is
all 1 know about il. Don't know auy
reason for his commit ing suicide
He had made statements that he would COM
NIT suicide; was in no financial or domestic
trouble that | knew or He was sick
and when he got blue he said he would Kill
himself
Mrs. Joseph G. Kearney, aunt of the witness
and Btepdaughter OF Capron-Capron was sick
eighteen months. Heard him make a state
meni that he would commit suicide.
The San Francisco call., 1897-11-05
THEY WILL Be PLEDGED.
Candidates for Freeholders Must
Stand By Civil Service
Reform.

The charter convention decided last
night that their candidates Tor freehold
ers should be pledged for the three prin-
ciples of home rule, economy and civil
service reform, but it was not until after
some very warm discussions that it was
so decided.
The matter came up after the special
order of the evening. which was for the
nominating and elecnng candidates for
the Board of Freeholder,.
Osgood Putnam STAYED off the election
part of the programme by introducing a
resolution postponing the election until
next Thursday. The resolution provided
that the nominations be made on the floor
of the convention last night and tonight
and by the chairman of the committee of
five sending in the names of eligible citi-
zens before noon next Monday.
1t also provided that those eligibles
whose names were presented after next
Tuesday night shall have consented to
serve, and it also gave power to the COM
mittee to present the full list of nominees
in prin ted form, showing to what National
party each candidate belonged. The six
Democrats and six Republicans and tns
three of other parties receiving the ma
iority of votes polIed should be declared
elected.
The resolution was adopted.
There was warm debate over the cues.
ton of pledging the candidates, j. ].
Dwyer and others contending that the
men should go unpIedged, for there were
many things in the charter which even
the members OF the convention did MOI
approve.
Gavin McNab ana others said that the
candidates should be pledged to The basic
principles of tue charter
o. Putnam moved that candidates ba
pledged to home rule. economy and civil
service reform, but the opponents of the
pledge sought to nullify the motion
by amending so as to em body all the prin.
ciples in the charter
The matter was finally disposed of bv
adopting the original motion.
1t was decided to appoint a committee
OF five to prepare an address TO the nuhiic
But five names had been placed in nom.
iuatlon before adjourn menj.
The San Francisco call., 1897-11-05
NEW TO-DAY.

Doctors visits are always costly and are
many times unnecessary. If only for econ.
omical reasons, send for DR.. Pierce's Com.
mon Sense Medical Adviser. 1t is much
cheaper than sending for physician, and
may save you very many doctors bills.
Besides that, it will give you some new
ideas. You will very soon learn to be OBJ
servant of many little signs of illness that
now pass unnoticed. The better you know
the symptoms, the more surely may YOU
prevent serious illness. For this reason it
was written
DR.: Pierce has spared no pains in con-
densing world of useful knowledge in
these pages, for the use of busy people.
The early symptoms of many common all
ments are described, and prescriptions
given for them. The book will be found
especially interesting and helpful to wo-
men In its 1908 pages there are 900 illus
trat1ons. You may have this great and
good book free, by sending 2r cents in one
Ger, cent stamps to Worlds Dispensary Med
zeal Association, Buffalo, N. Y. Ten cents
extra (31 cents will give you the book ir1
fine French cloth binding.
The San Francisco call., 1897-11-05

he got an order from Judge Slack appoint
ing him special administrator OF the
Capron estate. With TINS he got power to
take possession, in the name of the court,
OF ali bonds, notes and personal property
These effects were at once transferred TO a
private box in the offiIe of the Union
Trust Company.
Chapter three opens with move on the
part of The girls in the case. Tney hired
The following attorneys to do battle for
them: Reddy, Campbell & Metson, John
II. burst, Jacobs & Wolff and E. P. Mo-
gan. They at once began to check M ate
the legal moves of Attorneys H. E. High
ton, Henry Maynebaum and E. S. Pills
bury, who represent Judge Fitzgerald.
The first thing these attorneys did was
to offer their will of Marcn 13, 1896, for
probate, asserting that all other wills
were invalid and worthless.
That meant the beginning of the
strategies that eliminated in the battle
now on before Judge Coffey. Yesterday
was one of the most important lays in the
case, a 5 Mrs. Hattie Nj. Kearney was on
the stand. She testified concerning her
stepfather's last illness and told of the
affection she and her sisters bore him.
The San Francisco call., 1897-11-05
IMPROVED ITALIAN OPERA,
Last Nights Performances OF oa'9
leria'' and "Pagliaccp were
IareeIy Different.

leria'' and "Pagliacci" were
Largely Different.
The Italian Opera Company at the Cali
fornia Theater went another long stride
10 the good last night in the double bill OF
"cavaIIeria Rusticana" and "Pagliacci.
Apart from instances of valiant indlvld-
ual singing the operas were gwen WIN III
tellieent attention to dramatic unity.
The casts were tactfully MADE up, ana
the singers seemed to hnd their pest
moods in these passionate MINIATURES Oh
the newer Italy.
Mascagni's melodrama was well done.
The acting, both in stage business ana
spirit, the tempt of the music, ana that
porteptious, sultry atmosphere which at
tends only on a skillfully directed per
torrance, were brought out with IalthIui
identity.
FOR some strange reason The chorus was
not up to its usual unanimity in "Caval-
leria," and its average tone was too heaVy
TO admit OF graceful shading. But IN
sPagliacci' it was lythe and even. Ihere
must have been a few choice Italian re-
marks from the chorusmaster 0etWeen
pieces "A
Montonari was again victorious. SdSN
sang and acted Santuzza with beauoIul
appreciation, 1t was strenuous charac-
terization, without, l am glad to note,
one banai tour de force to mar IT'S mean
ing. Agostini, too, sang Turlddu win
pleasing legitimacy, although his ac.Ioh
might have been more gaivanlc. Ihe
quavering Signor Francesconl showed d
disposition toward doing the pest ne
could in the part of Altlo, and Adeilha
Fauton ilumined Lola with stout AHA
bIlity that was not out OF place.
Vallini and his band were in the pink OF
form throughout both performance. 10
say that he was compelled to repeat Mas
cagni's intermezzo would mean nothing.
All leaders are always compelled to repeat
1t. But Vallini made you forget that 1G
ever had been worn soiled and shiny. he
gave to it rhy thm, peculiar accentuation
and versatility OF touch that were abSo-
Iutely new.
.'Paghacci" introduced Cioni, the COM
pany's stellar barytone, as Tonic. lie mas
a wide, splurging voice, hat is warmly
magnetic, but handicapped by more or
less vibrato- He acted the part enthusl-
astically and well, and there were many
times when his voice came without
waver.
The sensation of "PagIiacci" was Col
lenz, who in Canio seems to find an out
let for the very best that is in him.
Collenzs voice Is not of even purity, but
his top notes are true and polished, his
humor distinguished and his presence
alert and plausible. He made of the
Punchinello a strong and satisfying I'M
personation.
Last nights work was good enough to
prove the man who planned the ''Gio-
conda" opening with that wo ID e.throated
cast to be entirely deserving of whatever
hard luck may attend the profits of the
season. ASHTON STEVENS
The San Francisco call., 1897-11-05

Kern-william Pushell, Alfred Harrell
Bakers field.
Kings-Editor Dewey, Hanford; Distric
Attorney NJ L. Short County Clerk +. Gun
nlngham.
Lassen-District Attorney w. ]. Barry.
Plumas-County Clerk H. c. Flournoy.
Sierra-District Attorney F. r. Wehe.
Los Angeles-John 2. Moran.
Marin-R P, Troy, James T. Manney.
Mariposa-Dis rict Attorney J. j. Trsbucco
Tuolumne-D!strict At torney j. b. Curtin.
Sacramento-J. C. German.
San Benito-County C:erK G. NJ. Foote.
San Bernsrdino-James BOYD.
San Diego-Oscar A. Trippett.
San Joaquin William NJ. Gibson, Frank
Nicoll. District Attorney w. B. Miller.
San Luis Obispo-Wlliam Graves.
San Mateo-Judge George H. Buck.
Santa Bar bara-County Clerk 7. c. Bradle y
Santa Clara-Victor Scheller, Sam Rucker
II. A Pfster.
Santa Cruz-willlam Casson.
Solano-Raleigh Barcar, Vacaville; j. Nj.
Minnehan. Vallejo.
sonoma-DIstrict Attorney Emmett seawell,
R. A. Thompson.
Yuba-Sher. II S. E Inflow, D. A. Os from.
Sutter-Sherlff Thomas L. Smith.
Tehama-District Attorney H. P Andrews.
Trinity-County Clerk r. L. Carter, John
McMurray.
Tulare-W. H. Afford.
Ventura-Assem m bIyman T. A. Toland.
YolO-Sheriff G. w. Griffin. Byron Ball.
Madera-County Clerk C. ]. Euoanks.
Colusa-County Clerk w. F. Ford.
Glenn-R H Long, F. Gels.
Lake-R. H. Lawrence, G. w. MusteIl.
Contra Costa-A. e. Baitey.
Del Norte-Judge ]. E. Murphy, L. F. Cooper.
SiskIyou-Treasurer R. II. De Witt.
Ell Dorado-A. S. Bosquit, Prentiss Carpen-
ter.
Hum bodt-F A. Cutler.
The Mcguire cam pa ign looms up in the
future of the local war between the Rain
eyites and the Sullivanites, and gives it a
signihcancs beyond that i'm parted by the
charter and the issues of local politics. 1t
is observed that the Sullivan committee OF
110 is composed by q large ma jority OF the
friends OF Mcguire, who will remain able
10 run the affairs of the faction in his in
terest.
When the Rainey Democracy gets
around to State politics after the charter
election it will be anti Mcguire from stem
to stern. Political speculation is thus
easily forecas ting Mcguire and an anti
Mcguire delegation to the Democratic
State Convention, and therein appears the
only hope Of the Sullivan Democracy of
securing any dominance in the local party
in the end. The hope tnar there will be a
NJ Maguire majority in the State Convention
that will seat their delegation and pro-
nounce them the regular machine gives
them goal to work for, whatever woes
may betide them here below, in the city
Of er-warring Democrats.
The San Francisco call., 1897-11-05

long, H. Wilson'S Laska VS.. f. MqTPhy,s Lady Lady
Grace, Newman's Red Cloud VS.; u nddr ohan'o" w. =
swinnerlon. j. J.. Edmonds nc eoioef SAT-. sm
er's Hercules vs.. NJ Micklasky's Ia IA IA Ra'
Montezuma kennels DR.. Norman VS. j. sex X
smiths Vigilant. P. Suniyan's snow s1 vs. w W.
Tiernan's Valley Maid, F. Brown Aoeeonis Atoae
iGVs Little Pefe VS.. ]. E cohns oakwoed Norton
& Triggers Mary VS.. J. J. EGmond> wa'saT, aolg,
D. Wards Speculation vs. George "s'oy vs M
amonte Kennels G1azer, s. Regan's Black Ba py
VS.. Miramonte kenners Better Stone; Pasha I,a
kennels Arapahoe VS.. Montezuma kennet e .
Magic, Ed Heanry's Harkhway ~ ,s. W., TN H. "
Cork VS. Kay's Port Gotta Lass, 5 A. for'ei
Our Baby VS. Larckey & ks Emerald