davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The San Francisco call., 1897-04-28
THE FIRE DEPARTMENT,
A. Question rs to How 1t Is A Affected by
the Law Passed by the Last
Legislature.

ALAMEDA, CAL. April 27.-For some
unknown reason and through some at
present unknown influence the last Legis-
lature passed an act making the fire de-
partments in all cities OF the fifth class
volunteer organizations. Alameda be-
longs to that class, and her Fire Depart
ment, as it has been conducted for many
years, Is part volunteer and part paid
Parties who have been looking the matter
up have been TO the city officials and
raised the question whether under the law
those charged with dispensing the funds
of the city have any authority to ray out
any money 10 any member of the paid
department. They point 10 the statute,
which is very explicit on the question.
In order TO obtain information on the
municated With, and he replied that ii
was the business of the District Attorney
to furnish opinions on such questions,
and that if that official desired further in
formation be could apply TO the Attorney
General. No further steps were taken in
the premises but q movement of some
sort is looked for.
II the law shall be upheld and the
authorities be for hidden from paying the
expenses of the paid department the city
will save about S15 ,0c0 year which 1t is
now paying out. The maintenance OF the
departm ent would iall upon the insurance
companies, SO it is claimed, until such
time as the law can be repealed or
amended.
So far nothing has been done beyond
discussing the proba BILE scope of the law,
though some decided move is looked for
ere long.
The San Francisco call., 1897-04-28
SUICIDE IN THE BRUSH
Body o. an Unknown German
Anarchist Found in the
Sand.
Left Letter Gloryiag in the Red
Flag-He Was d Man of Some
Education

John Sullivan of 228 Day street and
William Graham OF 4i9 Twenty-ninth
street while walking yesterday among the
sand-dunes back OF the Affiliated Col
leges found the badly decom posed re-
mains of a man lying in the brush.
Close to the righ. hand of the corpse Law a
nickel-plated revolver that told story of
suicide.
The features of the dead were unrecog-
nizab,e, the unfortunate man haviny tax
en- his life about two months before. The
body was taken to the Morgue and the
clothing searched. Three tickets of admis-
sion to the World Colum bian Exposition
at Chicago. bearing different dates IN the
month of October, 1893, were found. Also
letter written in German evidently by
the deceased and dated San Francisco,
February 10, 1897 not addressed to any
one and anarchistic aud incoherent in
tone. II is signed "P. b" or "R. B." or
"B. B."
The handwriting is evidently that of an
educated man and one used TO handling a
pen, the German characters being very
neatly formed and huently written. The
letter speaks OF the glory OF the scarlet flag
OF anarchism, and here and there are sem
tences in English reading as follows and
dovetailed into the German:
Inquiry into the proper mode of rendering
scriptures into the Chinese language.
Also the following:
Francis Buchanan on the religion of the
Bramas in the Asiatic researches.
A Yale key and dark tortoise-sheI
penknife were also found upon the body.
The clothing was of dark diagonal goods.
gaiter shoes and white shirt. The hair OF
the deceased was dark brown and curly.
The San Francisco call., 1897-04-28
joint bridges it is practically conceded
that each must act for itself.
PT0MAINE POISONING,
Babe Meets Its Death From Using
Condensed Milk Containing
Poisonous Germs

ALAMEDA, CAL, April 27.-The death of
the infant child Of Mr. and NJ rs Jared Dode
of 1424 Willow street. in this city, from
the effects OF being fed condensed milk
containing poisonous germs, has caused
quite a sensation. 1t appear. that it be-
came necessary o feed the child almost
from its birth, and condensed milk was
used. One can was consumed, and then
a second was opened. Soon after the
child was taken violently Ill and a doctor
was called, who after inquiry treated the
infant for ptomaine poisoning, but with
out avail, and it died. For some reason
[ matter was kept very quiet. No death
notice was published, the undertaken did
not give out any infor nation, ana it was
by the merest chance that the facts be-
came public. The death certificate stated
plainly that death was due 10 "hemorr-
hage enteritis and acute hemorrhagic
nephritis with shock, all occasioned by
ptomaine poisoning from change in con.
densed milk.
No report was made to the Coroner.
however, and that official only learned of
the case by the publication. The health
authorities have acted promptly in the
matter to-day. The can OF milk has been
obtained and will be anaiyzed, and In the
meantime IN interdict has been put on
that brand OF the article and its sale will
not be permitted until the facts are ascer
The San Francisco call., 1897-04-28
MARRIED (N THE SLY
Miss Emma Earl and Potter
/ Wo ds of Berkeley United
Clandastinely.
Unknown to Her Paren the Bird e
Is Led 10 the Altar in o k
land.

BERKELEY, CAL, April 27.-A pretty
little sensation was sprung to-day in the
line OF matrimon onial ventures. As a result
there is an anxious mother and a deter
mined father in Berkeley tonight. Miss
Emma Earl, who is well known in the
college town, welded Potter Woods, a
railroad man, in Oakland this afternoon,
and after the ceremony the bride sent
word to her family that she had been mar
ried, and that Dy the time the message
reached them she and her hubby" would
be on their way 10 San Francisco. The
news came as great shock TO the mother.
who had been planning on a delightful
home wedding for her daughter. AS it
turned out, Miss Emma was welded away
from home by strange minister, with a
married sister, Mrs. F. w. King, as the
only family representative.
The engagement was TO have. been pub
licly announced last Sunday morning by
consent OF the parents, but the pair
changed their minds and did not give il
out. The brides mother was much
grieved at the news of her daughters
strange proceeding and in an interview TO-
night said that she was wholly at a loss to
know why Emma ran away to marry
Woods. "Thev have changed their minds
several times" said the mother, about
their wedding arrangements and l hope
that they are finally satisfied
The San Francisco call., 1897-04-28
SUPE ERVISORS WILL
TRAMP The ROOFS
Metal Workers Ask for
Changes in the Present
Specifications.
Claim That the Fire.Proofiag
Ordinances Are Often
Violated.
A Lively Meeting of the Fire Com
mittee Results in an In.
vestigation.

Within few days the strange sight Of
committee of the Board of Supervisors
trooping over the roofs OF the business
portion OF the City looking for defective
roofs and studying up specifications for
fireproof asphalt work may be seen.
The representatives of various COM
panies that m manufacture asphaltum roofs,
a number of metal-roofers ana the COM
mittee held protracted conference yester-
day discussing the ordinance regarding
fireproof roofs with a view of amending
and improving it so as 10 be satisfactory
to all parties.
The metal-roofers claimed that the
asphaltum roofs permitted bv the pr .sent
ordinance are not hreproof and are so
t1imsily constructed as TO be dangerous.
They said that in order to make roofs of
that character thoroughly hreproof they
should be LAID on a foundation of tile, and
that regulation to that effect should be
added TO the present specifications. One
representative declared that Eastern COM
psnies were taking contracts for roofs a t
so low figure that they could not live up
TO the specifications without losing money,
and that they had cut wages 10 such an
extent in their competition that metal
roofers could lot compete with them.
The speaker declared that several sam
phalt-workers had been specially pre- pared
for the occasion, and that they were not
fair samples of the work done.
They produced several samples cut from
the roofs of buildings, that they claimed
were hot good-up 10 specifications. One
speaker claimed that tin roots were far
better and more durable than asphalt
roofs and that they would withstand heat
that would melt or entirely consume an
asphalt roof.
The asphalt roofers, on the other hand,
claimed that their roofs were constructed
according TO specifications and when
SO laid were entirely freproJf and that
the proposed changes in the specifications
would work a hardship on them.
Contradictions and controversies be-
tween the opposing parties grew so warm
that Chairman Britt of the committee had
to use his gayel frequently TO preserve
order.
Supervisor Devany finally moved that
the matter be laid over for two weeks to
give the committee an opportunity OF
making personal inspection of various
roofs that had been cited as defective, and
this course was decided on.
Delegations from both the metal and as
phait roofers will accom- pany the commit
tee when ii makes its rounds
The San Francisco call., 1897-04-28
RECEPTION TO DIR. MLEAN.
Large Number of Friends Assemble
to Greet the Pastor.


OAKLAND, CAL "A pril 27.-The twenty
fifta anniversary OF DR.. j. K. McLean's
pastoral work in Oakland was observed to-
night with a reception to the venerable
pastor in the parlors of the First Con-
gregational Church, with which be was
for a quarter OF a century connected
The Invitations issued were general. and
the church was filled with people anxious
TO do honor to their venerable friend and
pastor. Refreshm ments were served during
the early part of the evening. after which
addresses were made by r. I. Cham ber-
lain. who presided; President Martin Kel-
logg of Berkeley, Professor lie Conte, Pro-
lessor J. b. McChesney, Dr. w. C. Pond
of San Franci.co and Rev. c, W. Wendte.
Miss Ina D. Coolbrith read all original
poem written for the occasion.
Delinquent Tax Rolls.
OAKLAND, CAL, April 27.-The total
delinquent taxes of the city - the closine 2
OF the Office last evening of City Tax Col
lector Gilpin was S5441 Is of the first in
stallment and $747l Ill of the second The
total collection on the last dav was s26 =
S74 AZ. OF which sum the Adams heirs paid
S2304 81 under protest. claiming that they
should only pay $l536 y. This was the
county assessment OF the reduction after
being re uced by the Board of EouaIiza-
tiou. The Pleimont Electric Company
paid STAB "a under protest, because the
franchises were assessed as personal prop-
erty instead of real.
The total seconi installm ment collected
amounted to S2l7, $50 96 OF the slo.-
S98 05 delinquent on the first installment
$5456 30 has been collected.
The San Francisco call., 1897-04-28

lutionists in order 10 le ute them, flor
evolution" he said, strikes al the very
root OF the doctrine that man is under
moral obligations 10 God"
lE the discussion Rev. DR.. Kelchum dis
approved of pastors reat!ing iufidel works.
lat that rate, he SAID "a man ought to
read Vo taire, PAYNE and all the old and
nj ndern atheists
Rev. DR.. Bevier said "If the Lord
chose 10 make the world by evo u;ton he
could. l do not say he dIu, but he could"
The Methodist preachers meeting was
addressed by Judge Talcott of Alameda
on The Relation OF the Legal Procession
to the Ministry" The Judge said that
lawyers should maintain as high and
ard of right as ministers, and that i; was
their bounden duty to prevent litigationn -
The San Francisco call., 1897-04-28

which were pushed as far apart as possible
six weeks ago, are now coming together.
This morning when the Supervisors en-
tered the chamber there was not even a
suggestion of the naughty language and
threats used last N onth, and the two com
batants of the board addressed each other
as ''Mr."
The veteran of the board, Tom Wells of
Dublin, looked with surprise at the greet
ing of the old-time enemies, and County
Clerk Jordan scratched his head with
amazement and would have torn his hair
but for the fact that he has none.
When the Supervisors got down to busi-
ness series of resolutions was introduced
honorlng the memory OF ex-Superyisor
Bart Morgan. Alter being read they were
passed unanimously, and an enerossed
copy will be sent to the dead mans
friends.
petition was presented by Judge Glib
son asking that board CT horticultural
commissioners be appointed and that A
D. Pryal be named on the board. James
2. Taylor, president of the Board of Trade,
spoke of the necessity of such board and
the matter was taken under advisement.
County Auditor Whidden asked the
board TO grant him additional clerks, az
the new county government act PLACES
much extra work on his office with no
extra compensation. He also stated he
would like to be given for his quarters the
lower floor of the annex 10 the Hall OF
Records. This floor has so far been used
by the Board OF Trade for a partial county
exhibit, but the material already placed
there Is SO small that there would be
plenty of room for both it and the Auditor.
The matter of the county bridge across
the estuary was not taken up, but will be
considered during the week at special
meeting. There is nothing new in the
proposition, but the time is limited when
work must be undertaken and as the rail-
road and the Supervisors cannot agree on
The San Francisco call., 1897-04-28
ROAMS The HILLS
CLAD IN A SHEET
A Wild Man at Haywards
Is Now Being Pursued
by Hunters.
Approached q Lady's House and
Demanded a White Robe
of the Cook.
After His D m nj W,S Satisfied He
Rsn Througl tie Town and
Disappeared.
OAKLAND OFFICE SAN Francisco CALI
sos Broadway April q.

A genuine wilc man o: the widest kind
is at this time roaming the hills back of
HaywaTds att red in nothing but an ordi-
nary sheet. He made his escape last night,
and it was thought that the bitter weather
and the cold wind of the last twenty-four
hours would have forced him to seek shell
ter before this time, but he is apparently
insensible to personal inconvenience and
desires 10 roam the hills.
Last evening about clock an indi-
vidual, who was undoubtedly crazy, went
into Raywards Park and divested himself
of his clothing. He carefully rolled it up
and put it in little hut wherein are kept
The keeper's tools and then started to
walk toward an adjoining house.
Mrs. Hastings and Mrs. Garretson, who
conduct the hostelry near the park, saw
an uncanny object among the trees aud
sent the Chinese COOK to make an inspec-
tIon. The cook was rather frightened,
not knowing what he might find, but al
length, after much talking, he was per-
suaded to go. The crazy man told him
that the Lord had ordered him 10 wrap
his clothing mp and put IL in the barn
and apply al the hotel for a sheet or
large white tablecloth. The Chinaman
argued with the man and tried 10 induce
him to put on his garments, but without
success, and finally he returned to the
ladies and told them OF the only terms by
which they could rid the park of its IN
welcome guest.
a short council of war was held be-
tween the ladies and the cook, and 1t was
finally decided that if the lunatic could be
bought off with sheet the sacrifice would
be well made. The Chinaman was given
a clean white sheet and sent to the shiver-
ing mailman. The fellow received it,
wound it loosely over what few garments
he was then wearing, and then walked
through the main street of the town.
Soon the news spread that he was wild,
and an attempt was made to capture him,
but he fed up B street and was able to
get away from all his pursuers.
To-day all the young fellows that have
nothing else to do organized themselves
into little posses and went up in the can
yons in the hope that they might capture
The man robed in sheet, but when night
fell they had been unsuccessful A couple
OF deputy constables also joined in tine
chase, out accomplished no more than the
other man-hunters.
The San Francisco call., 1897-04-28
PREPARING FOR A WAR.
Isenry Buffers Receives Advfces of a
Startling Nature From the
Transvaal.

OAKLAND, CAL, April 27.-Henry But
ters, the well-known mining man Of the
Iransvaal, who now resides in Oakland
has received dispatches from South Africa
that are ominous. He has large interests
IN that part OF the world, and is kept we'll
posted on passing events in the Trans
vaal.
II have received some advices from the
Transvaal" said Mr.. Buffers tonight,
that are not at all indicative of peace.
The people of johannesburg are preparing
for an uprising. The Beers are fortifying
the country and are gathering in arms and
ammunition, and several gentlemen are
sending their wives away, realizing that
there is every indication of grave dangsr.
The popular d ,monstrations with which
Cecil Rhodes has been received do not
surprise those who have lived IN South
Africa. he is the head and front OF the
Cape Colonies, and his popularity is very
extensive. He IS a great organizer, and
those who bave already critic zed the fact
that lie placid Schreiner in his Cabinet
are mistaken, for the move showed his
shrewdness. Schreiner is a representa-
tive OF the anti English, ant-progressiye.
antl-every thing element, and Rh odes put
him in the Cabinet with the object of win
nlng him and his people over.
My advices tell me that the conditions
at johannesburg are far from assuring
just now. There is a great depression of
business and bankruptcy stares many of
the dealers in the face. a large class OF
idle men Is IN the town and the lack oil
confidence prevents industries from push.
ing ahead. The fear of impending war
has OF course much to do with this, and
there must also be considered the change
in the plans resulting from this dIstrust.
For instance, the mining corporations
made their plans for 1897 on a basis of
turning out $500 600 in gold a month.
whereas, owing 10 the uncertainty. they
ara not handling half OF that amount.
Il don't think Kruger is statesman
enough 10 realize the present dangers that
are about him. He has no advisers either
whose counsel would open his eyes, for he
is surrounded by bigots who have an in
tense hatred for the English. His Secre-
tary OF State is an importation from Hol-
in his Cabinet"
The San Francisco call., 1897-04-28
MRS. OLUNE Is ANXIOUS.
Has Turned Detective and Hints at ,
Great Story

Has Turned Detective and Hints at a
Great Story.
OAKLAND, CAL, April 27-Mrs. Clune
is still working to try to discover who is
anxious that she should be murdered
She has very com plete theory as to the
plot that underlies the mysterious offer
10 the Chinamau of $1,000 to take her life.
Il shall do a little private detective
work myself" said Mrs. Clune this morn
ing, "and l do not doubt that will bring
the proper person to justice. This is no
triti.n .ng matter, and [ know enough to con-
vince me that I must take good care of
myself. There is an interesting story be-
hind all this, but am not going to tell it
at present"
The San Francisco call., 1897-04-28
ALAMEDA COUNTY NEWS.

of the seven tribes of Israeli" and some
other such remarks. Then he left To-
night he called at The CALL office and
made the same announcement.
He has been wandering ever since the
accident, and often leaves home unknown
to his relatives. He was recently pro-
nounced safe to be at large by the Sanity
Com missloners. His family is said to be
provided for through the generosity of
President T. II. Williams of the California
Tockev CIuh
The San Francisco call., 1897-04-28
GONE TO CRIPPLE GREEK.
Joseph L. Hurd, the Defauiting Cit,
Clerk, En- Route

Joseph L. Hurd, the Defautting City
Clerk, En- Route
Marshal P Earles left last evening for
Or ipple Greek, Colo, with Joseph T. Huid,
the defaulting City Clerk.
E. V. Atkinson, the Pullman cond uc.or
to whom Hurd alleged he gave $500 on the
train, called upon Chief Lees yesterday
morning and reiterated his emphatic de-
nial of having received any money from
Hurd.
Hurd was as EN- mphatic in his assertion
that he gave Atkinson the $500, and
Marshall Earles will consult the otfi cial :
at Cripple Creek on his arrival there as TO
what action should be taken to recover the
money from Atkinson
The San Francisco call., 1897-04-28
A Wand ering Mind.

OAKLAND. CAL, April 27.-Samuel NJ.
Spackman. VINO was injured while at work
on the racetrack last August and after
ward disappeared, walked into the Coro-
ner's office to-day and asked: "Do you
recognize mef" Being answered in The
negative by Deputy Coroner Henry Qu-l-
len he said: II am Samuel Montag ue
S2eckman. called in to let you know
The San Francisco call., 1897-04-28
Henry Clay-High school Debate.

OAKLAND, CAL, April 27.-Next Fri
day afternoon the Henry Clay Debating
Society will meet in debate the senior
society of the Oakland High School
Those to represent the Henry Clay Society
are: George S. Evans. Guv d. REYNOLDS :
and Bert L. Quayle. Their opponents OF
the High School society are: Y Y Earle
r. T. Fisher and = Creed. The question
Is, "Resolved, that the initiative and
referendum should be adopted by Cali
L.
The San Francisco call., 1897-04-28
FAVORING HOME TALENT.
Alameda Girls to Have Preference A.
City School Teachers


City School Teachers
ALAMEDA, CAL, April 27. There is
rule in the school department of this city
not to employ any one as teacher who
has not had at least two years of practical
experience as teacher. Director Brown
at the meeting of the Board OF Education
this evening suggested doing away with
this rule so as 10 give the preference,
whenever vacancy may occur, to A;a-
media girls, graduates OF the Norm al
School, even though they may not have
had the practical experience as substitute
teachers. His idea was to give them posi-
tions at $40 a month and take them on
trial for year, as it were, such expert
ment to be essayed In primary as well as
grammar grades. The matter was referred
to the Committee on Rules for con nsidera-
tion, and no doubt will be favorabIy acted
upon by it.
The San Francisco call., 1897-04-28
CALL INC IN THE
DOGS OF WAR
No Present Fear of Blood
shed Among the Doughty
Supervisors.
Church and Roeth Draw Their
Seats Nearer Together
and Say "Mr."
Resolutions Passed Hon oring the M m.
ory of Bart Morg n-The Bridg,
Is in Statu Quo

OAKLAND OFFICE SAN Francisco CALL
SO6 Broadway, April 81
Peace once more reigns in the hall
where the Supervisors meet and do bust.
ness. For several weeks there have been
no open hostilities, and gradually the
chairs of Mr.. Church and Mr.. Roeth
The San Francisco call., 1897-04-28
To Exemplifx a sx tenn

ALAMEDA, CAL, April 27-Miss Stone,
the teacher OF music in the schools of this
city, was granted PERMISSION by the Board
of Education to attend the Marin County
School Teachers Institute on the Sd and
4th of next month, to exemplify before
that body the system as taught in the
department of Alameda city.
The San Francisco call., 1897-04-28
To Keep the Sabbath.

The California State Sabbath Associa-
tion will hold its annual convention in the
First Congregational Church. Oakland, on
the 18th and 18th OF May. A number OF
distinguished speakers will deliver ad-
dresses on sub iects appropriate to the oc-
casion. a