davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The San Francisco call., 1897-07-29
Two Incendiary Blazes
Started in the Town
at Night.
Large Barn Is Burned and a
Wine-Cellar Barely
Escapes.
The Match Applied to a Heap of
Rubbish Saturated With
Coal OIL.

SONOMA, CAL, July 2S.-An attempt
was made by tirebugs at an early hour
this morning to destroy the town. At
about 2 o'clock people were awakened by
the loud and continuous ringing Of the
firebell, aud flames could be seen shoot
ing up Just to the north of town. A large
barn belonging to c. Aguillon was ablaze.
Before the fire company could reach the
place the building was doomed.
As the firemen we're returning up Sec
ond street, west of the Aguillon property,
the wine-cellar belonging to J. Z. Poppe
was discovered to be or fire also. As the
flames had not yet got good start they
were easily extinguished.
The Agullou barn, with it's contents,
consisting OF several tons OF hay and
many farming Implements, was burned
to the ground. The cause OF this fire
could not be learned, as all evidence had
been destroyed by the flames, but on ex-
animation the rear doors OF the Poppe
VINE cellar were found 10 be saturated
with coal oil. In starting the fire the
incendiary had gathered a lot OF old rub
bish and placed it against the doors OF the
building. In the center of this he placed
a bottle of coal oil, to which was attached
q fuse.
This is the third attempt in the past
few months to set fire to the business por-
ton OF Sonoma, and the people are greatly
excited There is no clew to the ince endi-
aries.
The San Francisco call., 1897-07-29
THAT NEW RIVER STEAMER.
It viii Be Fast and of Greet Freight
and Passenger Carrying
Capacity.

STOCKTON, July 2S.-A model Of the
proposed new steamer Tor service between
this City and San Francisco will be ready
for the California Navigati ton and I'M
provement Company in few days. Work
on the details has been progressing rap
idly and Manager Corcoran has the plans
and specifications ready for presentation
to the board OF directors as soon as they
meet. The board authorized him to have
the plans prepared, but this vas subject to
their adoption by the directors.
"She will be very fast passenger boat
with incidental frel ght carrying capacity,
remarked Manager CoTcoran o-day, "and
Will be 30 feet long, 80 feet in the beam
and 81 feet deep, and will be built with
especial reference TO strength and speed.
The boat is to be propelled by two sets of
compound engines, low and high pres
sure cylinder set tandem, one on each
side. The type OF the boiler has
not yet been determined upon on
account of some Government require
ments which necessitate figuring
very carefully, but tae probabilities are
for two batteries of cylinder tubular
boilers or fire boxes. With the engines
we have figured upon. we expect that 165
pounds OF steam will develop 108 horse
power, three-Guarter stroke. The boilers
will be so ARRANGED that either battery
will furnish steam for all the engines
while the other battery is being cleaned
whenever necessary, as in the case of
overh auling or cleaning"
The San Francisco call., 1897-07-29
Two Men Who Robbed
SOnOma'S Depot Safe
Captured.
File Through Handouts and
Get Away, but Are Soon
in Custody Again.
Proceeds of Their Recent Burglary
Found in a Cache on the
Fair Ranch.

SANTA ROSA, CAL, July 2S.-Last
Thursday night the Sonoma depot was
broken into, tho safe blown open in cracks
man-like style, and bag OF money taken.
o-night the robbers are sale in the
County Jail and the whole community is
sounding the praises of Sheriff Allen and
his deputies for their very clever capture.
When the Sheriff was summoned to
Sonoma last Friday to investigate the
robbery there was. apparently, no clew to
the perpetrators, but Deputy Sheriff
Charles Ohms had some well-grounded
suspicious, and he was accordingly de-
tailed to work on the case. He began by
watching some men on the Fair ranch,
near the Lounibus place-watching by
night and sleeping by day. At last he
was certain Of being upon the right track,
and, with the assistance of Deputy Beatty
swooped down upon the two men under
suspicion and soon had them handcuffed
and in Glen Ellen.
Both of the prisoners were young men
of powerful build and unprepossessing o
countenanCes and it was decided that it
would be hest TO lock them up in room
without removing The handouts, and,
to make assurance doubiy sure, to leave
them only the undersh
Ohms and Beatty then visi ed the rob-
bers' camp, where they found some stolen
goods, full collection of ''jimmies,
sledge- hammers and other burglarious
tools, including six revolvers The two
officers returned to convey their capuors
to the county seat, and were deeply
chagrined TO find them both gone. One
had concealed file in his underclot hing,
and, with this useful little tool, had sue
an N
pal from the lrhsome irons, and the two
had lost no time in ieaping from a two
story window. They were clad only IN
their undershirts The escapes made gooi
time for their camp only to run into a
pursuing party to which they surren-
dered.
The two men give the names of George
Reagan and William Clemens, and claim
San Francisco as their home. 0a their
persons were found some of the stolen
green backs which smelled strongly of the
powder used to open the safe
The San Francisco call., 1897-07-29
SUICIDE At 0AKDALE.
former Stockton Policeman, Smart
ing Under a Reprimand, Takes
Norobjre With fatal Effect

STOCKTON, CAL, July 28-LaWrence
NJ. KuGn, until within the past TWO
months one of the members OF the STOCK
ton police force, died at O'Clock this
evening at OakdaIe, from dose OF NOR
phine taken with suicidal intent. Kuhn
was an ardent A. P. A, and during the
last municipal election was so enthusiastic
a partisan that he imbiDed too much
and when reprimanded resigned his
position. He was one OF the best mem
bers of the force, and losing his place
proved upon his mind. Kuhn had been
arranging to go to the mountains to start
a boarding house and saloon at one OF the
mines on the mother lode. He was
anxious to make enough to take him to
kIondvke next spring. Several days ago
he started for the mines and got as far as
Onkdale.
He was staying at the Louvre, hotel
at that place, and this forenoon the sound
of heavy breathing attracted some of the
attaches to his room. They forced an
entrance and found Kuhn in an uncon-
scious state on the bed. In one OF his
pockets was a card stating that he was
mem Der in good standing of the |. o. Q.
f. and Native Sons; that he was subject
10 heart disease and that If anything hap
pened to him that he would like these
orders to care for his body. DR.. Thomas
was summoned and found Kuhn to be
suffering from morphine poisoning. He
was worked with until o'c ock this even
ing when he died. The ex-policeman was
80 years old. He leaves a mother and
two sisters, one the wife of Supervisor r.
&. Shepherd and the other, Mrs. +. M.
Smith of Haywards.
Kuhn had many friends here, where he
WAS well liked.
The San Francisco call., 1897-07-29
rA1LEH ROAD COMPANY HERD.
General Counsel Preston appears Be
fore the EGuaiizerS.


SACRAMENTO, CAL, July 2S--E. F.
Preston, general counsel of tie San Fran
cisco and San Joaquin Valley Railroad,
was before the Stale Board OF Equaliza-
ton To- day to explain a statement which
his company had submitted. According
to that statement the value of the road
wav. road bed and rails is 1926, 100 The
length of the road, with sidings is 1856 SO
miles. Mr.. Preston explained that the
net receipts of the road for last July,
August, September, Oc'ober. Novem her
and Decem Der were $S5, 325 AZ. The net
earnings during that time were $16, 293 81.
The operating expenses were $1O,33J 26,
leaving a deficit of $1277 56. The COM
pleted ROAD, including rolling stock,
cost $14, 600 per mile.
Wien the country through which his
road runs, continued Mr.. Preston, be-
comes more populated it would be in
better position for earning facilities. The
road, said Mr.. Preston, was not on the
market, and he did not know what 1t
would bring if put up for sale. The mat
ter of assessment was taken under al wise
ment in order that some idea OF its value
may be learned.
The San Francisco call., 1897-07-29
Mrs. Arthur WaSson Stabbed
and Her Child Fatally
Manned.
COWBOYS ON THE TRAIL OF THE
DESPERATE.
His Capture Likely to Be Effected,
With Swift Fe ribution to
Follow.

PHOENIX, ARIz., July 2S.-Miguel
Contreras, Mexican employed by Arthur
Wasson on his dairy farm at Hereford,
this county, planned and executed a
fiendish attack upon the Wasson family
yesterday. The object was robbery. Mr..
WATSON was absent from home delivering
milk at Bisbee. The family consists of
the mother and two boys, the latter aged
3 and II years.
Early in the morning the Mexican
called the elder boy to the corral and
there choked him into insensibility.
When the lad had ceased resistance Con-
trerss pounded his head with a rock until
most OF the flesh and hair were gone.
Then he LETT the boy for dead and went TO
the house. He sneaked quietly up behind
Mrs. Wasson, who was busy in the
kitchen, and attempted to strangle her
Mrs. Wasson offered desperate resistance
and managed to get away and procure a
Winchester riff that lay in another room.
The Mexican was at her elbow. however,
as she lifted the weapon.
Now 4 terrible struggle ensued. The
woman endeavored 10 handle the
Winchester, but the Mexican drew q knife
and stabbed her several times until, weak
from loss OF blood, she reInquished her
hold on the rife and fell almost senseIess.
Then the brute tied her hands behind her
and secured her feet with a rope, pulling
the lashings until they cut into the flesh.
He fastened the rope to a bed. The
smaller child, Offering no resistance to
the Mexican, escaped unharmed.
Then the robber began his work of pill
lage. he robbed the home of everything
OF value that was portable, including gar-
merts, a watch and chain, siIverware,
clocks and food. Then he took a saddle
and the best horse from the stable and left
the ranch.
In the afternoon when Mr.. Wasson re-
turned to Bisbee be found his wife still
unconscious and the boy in dying con-
dition, 10th lying where the fendish Mex
lean had left them. 1t took only short
time to carry the news to the neighboring
-anches, and at once five mounted cow
Boys started in hot pursuit When last
heard from they had struck the trail and
expected to run the outlaw down befors
ne reached the Mexican border. II the
wboys come up to Contreras, and he is
taken alive, he Will be lynched on the
spot.
The Sheriff's Office has sent out posse
of deputies, and the whole country is
alarmed. There is little chance for his
escape
The mother and child were brought to
Bisbee for medical attendance. The
woman may recover, but the child's life
Is despaired of, tor his skull is crushed.
The San Francisco call., 1897-07-29
CIVIL SERVICE AMENDMENTS.
Important PRONUNCIATION by the Presi-
dent with Regard to Removals
and Examinations.

WASHINGTON, D. c., July 28.-Presi-
dent Mckinley has promulg gated the fol-
lowing important amendments to civil
service rule No. 2:
Nor removal shall be made from any position
subject to competitive examipat tion except for
just cause and upon written charges filed with
the head OF the department or other appoint
ing officer, and OF which the accused shall
have tul notice and an opportunity to make
defense.
He has also amended rule 30 es to in
clude within the classified service the en-
ployes of all custom-hous Offices without
regard 10 the number of employees.
Hitherto the classification mbraced Gus
toms offices where the number OF en-
ployes was five or more. This order brings
into the classified service siXty-five hith-
erto unclassified customs offices.
The President has also amended rule g.
making exec ptions to examinations SO as
to read as follows:
customs district one chief or principal deputy
or assistant collector in en- customs dis trict
one principal deputy collector at each sub
port or station.
Internal revenue service: One employe in
each internal revenue district who shall act
as cashier or chief deputy assistant collec-
tor as may be determined by the Treasury De-
par,1nent; one deputy collector in each in
ternal revenue district where the number of
employees in the Office of the collector exceeds
four; one deputy collector in each stamp
office or branch office.
Appointments to the positions named in
this rule in the custom-house service and in
the internal revenue service shall be subject
to an exam nation to be prescribed by the
Secretary of the Treasury, to be approved by
the commission, equal to the examination
held by the commission for positions OF lfk C
grade. Such examinations shall be conducted
by the commission in accordance with the
regulations
The San Francisco call., 1897-07-29
Mendoza Shooting sfray.

FRESNO, CAL. July 28.-John Rott-
ger a sheepman Of the Wes; Side, was
shot and badly wounded by William Fred
we'll last evening. The shooting occurred
near the Darden ranch, about eight miles
southwest OF Mendoza. The weapon used
was revolver, and the bullet took effect
IN Rottger's hip, penetrating fully four
inches into the m uscles near the base of the
spinal column. The cause of the quarrel
was a dispute about the boundaries OF
section 26, which is a sheep pasturage.
Kottger says he was shot without any
warning or complaint
The San Francisco call., 1897-07-29
CHEAT sCLkN4IFIC cOLLECrIoN.
Birds. Snakes, Fish, Mammals, Plant.
for the Museums.

Birds, Snakes, Fish, Mammals, Plants
for the Museums.
SAN DIEGO, CAL. July 28.-Captain
Fred AntEony's scientific expedition
which returned yesterday on the schooner
Wahlberg from a $500 mile cruise down
the coast, was the most successful expe-
dition of the kind ever made to the south
ern coast. The collection gathered ill.,
cludes 1000 specimens of stuffed birds,
many very rare and beautiful and un-
known in coast collections; $50 varieties
OF plants, 100 specimens of cacti, 300
mounted fish, 200 snakes and yards and
100 mammals The fish will be turned over
to President Jordan to be added TO the
already magnificent collection at Stanford
The birds belong to Captain Anthony,
and MANY OF them will be consigned to
the Smithsonian Institution. The man.
mails will be shipped to the DR.. Allen Mu-
scum of Natural History. Central Park,
New York City, and the plants will go TO
Professor T. S. Brandegee, now at He
lena, Mont. The rarest specimens were
obtained from Soccorro Island. 400 miles
southwest of San Jose del Cabo and HOO
miles south of this port.
The San Francisco call., 1897-07-29
TRIES TO KILL HIS WIFE.
San Franciscan Gets Into Trouble
San Jose.

San Franciscan Gets Into Trouble at
San Jose
SAN JOSE, CAL, July 2S-E. c. Gill
lette, an employe of the Journal of Com
merce in San Francisco, came to this city
yesterday to call on his wife, from whom
he has been separated for some time. He
called to see Mrs. Gillette at 124 East San
Salvador street last night. He was intoX-
cated at the time, and said he had come
with the avowed intention of killing her.
By skillful management Mrs. Gillette paci-
fed her "usband, and he agreed to return
to San Francisco this morning.
This promise Gillette failed to keep.
He called at the house this morning, re-
newed his threat and fiourished big re-
volver. The police were called in and
Gillette was taken to the station. Mrs.
Gillette refused to prosecute her hus-
band, and the police escorted him to the
depot and saw him aboard train for San
Francisco.
The San Francisco call., 1897-07-29
WRECK ON LAKE HURON.
Steamer Cambria Runs foul of 6
Drift of Sawtogs and Becomes
disabled.

PORT HURON, MICH, July 2s-TEe
steamer Cambria, OF the Windsor, Detroit
and 500 line, which left Detroit on Tues
dav with 100 passengers for Sault st :.
Marie, was wrecked this morning on Lake
Huron, three miles north of Sarnia.
The vessel ran into a drift of logs which
had broken away from raft. Her pad
dies were broken and then her machinery
became disabled. The passengers were
wild W tn excitement, but at daylight all
we're safely landed on the beach and taken
TO Sarnia.
The Cambria lies on a sandy bottom,
exposed to high west sea, and had COM
menc d to 60 to pieces before the last
passenger was taken off.
The Cam bria was vessel OF 400 tons. of
the old-fas shioned side wheel type. She
had been doing a heavy business the past
four wears on the route between Detroit
and Sault Ste. Marie. via Georgian Bay.
The San Francisco call., 1897-07-29
G. II. UmbSen G. Co.. IA Montgomery st.,

in said City and County OF San francisco on.
Thursday, the I'd day of september, A b. 1s97 NJ
~ o'clock noon of that day, to the hIghe,t oder
Tor cash, In lawful money or the United States.
and subject 10 confirmation by said court ali that:
certain 10 piece parcel of land situate, wing
and being i'll the City and County OF san Fran
CISCO, State of California, and bounded and par
ticularly described as follows, to WIZ:
commencing st point where the norther Y. line
OF Bush street Is nterseced By the eas.erly line OF
Sansome stree; running thence caste erv along tie:
northerly line of lush street one hundred and,
thirty-seven $50 feet ana six g. inrGes; tIence
at right angles northerly and parallel with san:
some street one hundred and thnty-seven (l3ZE
feet and SIX (6) lnuh' s.; thence right III geS'
westerly and parallel with Bush street. one hun-.
dred and thirtyseven (3I) ft e and sx (6) inches,
and to the cas-. erly side or SensOne street; and
thence southeriy along the easterly side OF Sa1-
some street Que hundred and thirty $50
feet and six (6) inches 10 the point OF snce-
ment; together with the buildings and improve
snents thereon.
he purchaser shall take The SAIL lot s1ti"ct to
the right of John f. Nctauley and Henry 'Thoru-
ton Templeton n, their heirs and AS gns to use the
brick wall along the norther line of said lot here
In described party wall.
Terms and conditions OF sale-Cash in lawful
money of the United states OF America; n per
rent of the purchase pric" o he paid he ref
cree on the day of sale, when The lot is knocked
down 10 the purchaser and the baian on con-
frmation of said sale By SAID court
Dated San Francisco CAL, JHsy !, 1897.
GUSTAVE III. UMBSEN, Referee.
The San Francisco call., 1897-07-29
Cobb Tender, His Re.tgnation.

STOCKTON, CAL, July 2S.-F. D. Cobb,
president OF the San Joaquin Agricultural
Association, to-day announced that he
had mailed his letter of resignation to
Governor Budd. The reason of Presi-
dent Cobb's resignation is the TACT that
the arrangement made between the asso-
citation and the Stockton Driving Club,
whereby the latter is to give fair this
year, was distasteful to Mr.. Cobb.
ADVANCES made on furniture and pianos with
or without removal. Noonan. l017-1O73 Mis- sion
The San Francisco call., 1897-07-29
Los An0etes Has q Blaze.

LOS ANGELES, CAL, July 2S.-The
publication building of the Los Angelo
Daily Herald had narrow escape from
destruction by fire this afternoon. A
quantity of petroleum. of the Kind used
Tor fuel in the printing establishment,
had become spilled upon the ground over
the large storage tanH, and became ingi:ed
from the fire under the steam boilers. The
oil plazed up hercely in flames nearly
thirty teet high, and communicated to
the rear Of the wooden building, wherein
is the entire Herald plant Prompt
action by the Fire Department stopped
the blaze with little damage.
The San Francisco call., 1897-07-29
FIRE AT sANIA YNEZ.
Three Business buildings and Their
Contents Destroyed.

LOS OLIVOS, CAL, July 28.-Santa Ynez
was visited by a small cont1agration this
morning at 5 o clock, that for a time
threatened to destroy the town. The gen.
eraI merchandise store of John f. Miller,
saloon and small harness-shop occupied
by John Todd were burned, and, with the
exception of a portion of the harness
stocs, the contents of the buildings went
up in smoke. The rear door of Miller's es-
tablishment leading up to the oilroom was
found open and the fire is probably the
work of an incendiary. The loss was
about S6j00 partially insured.
The San Francisco call., 1897-07-29
.4ged Uo,nnm Burned to Death.

TACOMA, WASH, July 2S.-The resi-
dence of A. Hougens, who lives two miles
north of Burlington, Skagit County, was
totally destroyed by fire this morning. to.
gether with the house occupied by his
father and mother. His mother perished
in the flames. The old people, who were
over 75 years of age. lived in a small
house adjoining their sons residence.
This morning the old father started fire
in the kitchen stove and then went to the
barn. When he returned the house was
found in flames, and it was i'm possible to
rescue hi wife
The San Francisco call., 1897-07-29
Arratonea for Emb.sz,emsnt

SAN JOSE, CAL, July 2S.-William
Wright, formerly bookkeeper for j. B.
Herbert, the fruit-dryer. was ar7aigned
before Justice Kirkpatrick to-day on
charge of EN- bezzIing $130 from his former
employer. He fled from this city about
eight months ago, going to Randsburg,
where he was arrested on Saturday. His
examination was set for August. Bail
was fixed at $1,000.
The San Francisco call., 1897-07-29
TOOK HIS Ex- WIFE oAP1IVF.
Cooltmga Man Carries off the Wife of a
NPighbOr.

FRESNO, CAL, July 28-Bernard Las
sale has sworn out warrant for the ar
rest OF Peter Oines of Coalinga under
very peculiar circumstances. Some time
ago an aunt Of Lassal'e married OIines
and subsequently obtained a divorce. She
then married man named Simpson. On
Monday, while Mrs. Simpson and Young
Lassalle were on their way TO Huron,
Dimes met them IN a gulch and took Mrs.
Simpson away by force, compelling her
in the presence of Lassalle to sign con-
tract 10 live with him wear longer.
dimes is supposed to be at White Creek
with his captive divorced bride. Officers
are in search of him.
The San Francisco call., 1897-07-29
Suicide Near Ltre Oak.

MARYSVILLE, CAL, July 28.-The
body OF Frederick Schroeder, the "a
year-old son of Charles Schroeder, a prom
lnent farmer residing near Live Oak, Sut-
ter County was discovered near a straw
pile on the farm to-day, with a bullet
wound IN the head. 1t was case of sui
eide. The young man had threatened
self-destruction.
The San Francisco call., 1897-07-29
Conpicted at Santa Ro.o

SANTA ROSA, CAL, July %. - Joe
Sullivan, alias Moore, character well
known in San Francisco, was convicted
in the Superior Court to-day of attempted
grand larceny. Sullivan on May 15 came
to this city to take in the juvenile rose
carnival. tie was detected in an attempt
10 PICK the pocket of Mrs. LANCER OF
Windsor.
The San Francisco call., 1897-07-29
M,nt Nea,t In han n..a

SANTA CRUZ, CAL, July 2S.-The
Grand Lodge of the United Order of Red
Men concluded its three days session at
noon to-day. No public business was
transacted, and when ad journment was
taken 1t was to meet at San Francisco
next wear.
The San Francisco call., 1897-07-29
REFEREE'S SALE OF REAL ESTATE...

DY VIRTUE OF TWO DEGREES OF THE
D Superior Cour, in and for he Ci5y and County
OF San Francisco St&'e a California (Departuienc
No. 1O), he irsi of which DEGREES WAS made and
is dated the 22d day of Novel.b beT lS35, aid ths.
second OF which DEGREES was made and Is da ed
crees we're mace and entered IN action pc idiiG
In said Superior Court wherein Adam Grant is
plaintiff ana Daniel t. Murphy ana others de-
PENDANTS, being No 49,0S3 in the said. court;
the undersgntd, who was by said court appointed
referee in said action, VIII sell public auction
att auc Of
The San Francisco call., 1897-07-29
Dra,cned IN Clrdr Lake.

LAKEPORT, CAL, July %. - John
Evans, whose father is engaged in the
tailoring business in San Francisco, was
drowned in Clear Lake last night while
arhing.
The San Francisco call., 1897-07-29
San D,soo Bioa,nt,t Seutenced

SAN DIEGO, CAL, July 2S.-Judge
Hughes to-day sentenced francisco Cam
pomanes alias DR.. Topete, who pleaded
guilty yesterday 10 a charge OF bigamy, to
The San Francisco call., 1897-07-29

Damon, Minister of Finance of the
Hawaiian Islands, arrived last night. He
will spend two days at his fruit farm, two
miles from town, and will arrive IN San
Francisco in time 10 sail Tor Honolulu on
the 9TH of August.
The San Francisco call., 1897-07-29

and to pay a fine OF $1,000. Campomanes
was married in Sonora Mexico, three
years ago, and about three months ago he
came to this city and took unto himself a
second wife