davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The San Francisco call., 1897-02-27
DYNAMITER At
NATIONAL CITY
John Becker's Liquor Store
Partially Wrecked by
an Explosion.
Himself and Family Hurled
From Their Beds and
Injured.
Fiendish Work of an Enemy Who
Has HarsSsed the Merchant
for Years.

SAN DIEGO, CAL, Feb. 26.-rhe LIQUOR
store owned by John ]. Becker at National
City was partially wrecked by an explo-
sion of dynamite at o'clock this morn
ing. Becker and his wife and children,
who were sleeping on the second floor,
were thrown from their beds, and son 7
years old suffered the fracture of leg.
For several years Becker has been pur-
sued by relentless enemy. About year
ago an attempt was made to burn his
store. Becker believes he knows who this
cowardly fiend is. and it is believed he
will employ detectives to run the fellow to
cover.
The explosion this morning wrecked
the front eno of the store building, under
which the dynamite had been placed.
The family slept directly overhead. When
the dynamite was touched off they were
hurled from their couches and. the floor
giving way, they fell with the broken tim
bers to the first floor. Every member of
the family was more or less injured, but
the boy suffered more severely than did
the others. The damage TO the building
amounted to about $1,000.
The San Francisco call., 1897-02-27
BOUGHT A TOGA
WITH HIS GOLD
Serious Charge Preferred
Against Senator. Elect
Heitfeld.
Idaho Legislator Swears That
He Received Money for
His Vote.
may Be Scheme to Prevent the
Seating of the Successful
Candidate.

BOISE, IDAHO, Feb. 26.-Considerable
excitement has been caused in political
circles here by Representative JONES of
Elmore County making affidavit that he
was bribed to vote for Henry Heitfeld
recently elected United States Senator by
tie Idaho Leg stature. The affidavit sets
forth that Representative w. Y. Perkins
promised JONES $3.50 if he would vote for
Heigeld, and after the election actually
gave him $40, the remaining 500 not
having been paid. 1t is further declared
in the affidavit that G. C. Fuller promised
the afiant $500 ii he would vote for Heit-
field, and after Heitfeld was elected Fuller
ahd Heitfeld went to the Capitol Bank,
drew The $500 and paid it over 10 JONES as
per agreement.
JONES says it has been his intention
right along to make this statement when
the proper time should arrive. 1t is said
That two other mem bers of the Legislature
have made similar affidavits. The mat
Ter has been worked up By the Populists,
and Is said to have been engineered from
the office OF Populist attorney in this
city, which is a Circumstance that con-
fuses those vino are seeking for a motive
for bringing out the charges The most
generally accepted theory is that it is part
"f a plan to prevent the sealing of Heit-
feld as United States Senator
The San Francisco call., 1897-02-27
TO UNINE THE FARMERS.
A City Club of Real Agriculturists Il
Being Organized.

A City Club of Real Agriculturists Is
Being Organized.
The Farmers Institute held its second
session Wednesday in the Academy OF
Sciences Hall. The attendance was large
and the subj cts discussed were listened to
with great interest. To many the idea of
a gathering of farmers in large city
seems strange, but it is fact that San
Francisco boasts OF a large number of
farmers. They are not of the typical
granger order, with suspenders fastened
to thin oveEalls with fence-board nail,
hut, nevertheless, they are farmers. Many
of those who attend the meetings own
large farming properties which they man
age through an overseer, and others look
after their own properties and make fiy-
ing trips 10 their possessions several times
month 10 see that the hired men are
properly caring for the livestock and
poultry, pruning the 1ruit-trees and vines
and TO see how the cereal crops are pro-
crossing
Such was the nature of the gathering
last evening, ana out of these gatherings
is growing San Francisco farmers club.
At previous meeting a constitution was
framed. The matter of forming the club
was left In the hands of a com mittee. con-
sisting of: H. H. Taylor, chairman; Ed
Holman, b. P Flint, Philo d. Jewett and
z. b. Cornwall.
This committee reported that it recon-
mended the organization OF such club
under the constitution previously sub
mitted, and added:
We recommend that all persons desiring TO
become members of said club be requested to
hand in their names and address with ST. so
for dues for the first six months to Victor l..
OBrien, 402 Montgomery street, who has con-
sented to take charge OF the same until the
organization of the club. We recommend that
the club meet for organization at P. NJ. on
Monday, April D, at some place to be deter
mined later and announced through the press
by Mr.. o. BTien.
About so people have signified their in
tention of joining the club and more are
expected. Not only are the actual farm
owners interested in the club, but several
bank officials who hold mortgages on
country properties and real estate agents
are looking into the movement
The lectures given at the institute meet
ings are particularly interesting TO all
who own outside lands that they are de-
sirous OF improving. Last evening there
were two speakers, Pro essor G. w. Wood
worth and Professor E. J. Wickson. The
former delivered an interesting discourse
on Dairy Bacteria, " in which he described
the minute organisms which multiply in
milk products. Some OF these he said are
of great value and others highly injurious
and dangerous. He dwelt at length upon
the relationship oil milk 10 typhoid fever
and consumption and told OF the danger
of spreading these diseases in lacteal fluid
and its products.
Professor Wickson's subject was
"Grasses and Forage Plants for California
Dalrymen." the professor exhibited sew
eral dozen samples of good, bad and in
different forage PLANTS, natural and i'm
ported, that are now growing in this State.
At to-night's meeting Professor E. w.
Hilgard and DR.. Julius Koebig will lee
ture.
The San Francisco call., 1897-02-27
FOR A NEW CHARTER.
The Mayor Submits u Bill to Cheape
the Required Machinery

The Mayor Submits u Bill to Cheaper
the Required Machinery.
Mayor Phelan has sent the following
letter TO Senators Mahoney and Stratton
and Asse blyman North:
Senator Strdtton, Chairman Senate Committee
on Elections, Senate Chamber, Sdcrdment0, Cal
DEAR SIR: lncIosed is IL DRAFT OF Ii bill, the
object of which is to lessep the cost of special
elections for freeh0lders or for the adoption of
charters for municipalities. 1t provides that
az such elections any number less than six
regular precincts may be consolidated into
one, and further that the election boards at
such elections shall consist of two judges and
two clerks only. 1t also dispenses with The ne.
cessity OF new regis tratlon by providing for the
use ofthe precinct registers used at the last pre-
ceding general election, and also that supple
mental registration shall be had before such
do not appear on these registers who may
have changed their residence an opportunity
TO vote at such election.
AS there is strong sentiment in San Fran
cisco (the only large city in the State that has
not adopted q fIeehol0ers' char ,er under the
new consJitutiOn) in favor of q new charter
and 1t is proposed to hold a freeholders' cleo
ZION this year, II Is highly important that such
law as the one proposed be enacted at the
present session of the legislature. The bi 4
was drawn by Garret w. McEnerney, and II
meets with the approval of the Registrar, W.
NJ. Hinton Mr.. Hinton informs me that If 1t
is enacted the cost of q treeholders' or charter
election will be reduced more than half.
/ trust that the measure will be expedited
Yours very truly, JAMES ID. PHELAN
The San Francisco call., 1897-02-27
TWO DEAD AND
MORE DYING
Horrible Condition of all
Italian Family of
Eight.
They Ate Toadstools Instead of
Mushrooms and the Effect
Was Awful.
Four Doctors Labored in VAN 10
Keep Death Away From the
Suff rerS.

The Basseinas. four of them. the father,
mother and two children, are lying at
deaths door from eating toadstools in
stead of mushrooms.
Two more of the children are dead, and
they are laid out on bare table in the
room next 70 where four doctors are try
ing to save the lives of the others.
Wednesday the two little boys, the ones
who are now dead, went out to the Presi-
dio to gather mushroom% They returned
with pailful. and Thursday these were
cooked for the family.
Before night all were down with un-
doubted signs of poisoning.
The children were the first to show
signs of the fatal mistake. The Youngest
were taken with sharp pains in the stom.
ach, and their faces and necks turned al
most black.
Then the father was taken down and
then the mother, and before yesterday
morning one child was dead, the other was
almost dead and the remainder of the
family were practically dying.
Sick as she was Mrs. Paratine left her
house and called in doctor and then i'm
plored aid from the neighbors.
A Mrs. Adams who lives in the vicinity
was the first she appealed to, and when
Mrs. Adams reached the house a pitiful
sight met her eyes.
The children were all sick in one room.
The father was trying his best to help
them, although he himself could hardly
stand, and the two lille curpses added a
significant part of the melancholy pic
ture.
Last night the mother was better, in
fact practically out OF danger, and the
father, too, was convalescent.
The remaining children, however, are
still in a most preearious condition, and
the doctors are not sure that more may
not join the two silent little corpses on
the table.
The Basseina's live at 90S Lom bard
street. The father is an Italian laborer
and his family is not in well- lo-do cir
camstances.
The parents are almost crazed with
grief.
The San Francisco call., 1897-02-27
The Merchants Association.

The Merchants Association directors re-
solved yesterday to ask the Legislature to
amend the Civil Code to permit the lease of
City lots for fifty years; to oppose Senate bill
125 and Assembly bill 276, on the ground
that every application for a franchise, under
the terms of tho bills. must be published and
also for other reasons; also to protest against
Senate bill 450, relative to work on streets
and sewers
request was received from Mayor Phelan
that the board indorse the constitutional
amendment providing thst sections 4 and 5
OF Article XI of the constitution relating to
cities and counties shall not apply to San
Francisco Mayor Phelan also requested the
board to approve the act that has been intro
duced in the Legislature, enabling San Fran
cisco to sim pity and ecoDomize in the special
election OF Freeholders TO frame a new charter
Both requests were granted, and the secre-
tary was Instructed TO send notices OF its ac-
tion 10 the Mayo and 10 the legislators. The
board decided TO do all in its power to encour-
age and assist the Golden Gate Carnival.
The San Francisco call., 1897-02-27
AN ANGRY WOMAN'S DEED
Mrs. Matte Hagan Seriously
Injuries Her Husband, John
Hagan.
The Injured Man, to Shield Her,
Declares It Was an Ac.
cident.

Mrs. Matte Hagan, young and win.
some, but with sparkling eyes that tell of
q ferocious temper, last night plunged a
carving knife into the breast of her jealous
husb sband.
Jack Hagan, devoted but suspicious, lay
on cot at the Receiving Hospital, and
while the death sweat gathered on his
brow and the words of the hospital physi-
clans that his recovery was doubtful still
rung horribly In his ears, reiterated a
clumsy fiction calculated to shield the
woman who had dealt the vicious blow.
About 10 O'Clock last evening Hagan
rushed into Hyer's grocery-store, at the
corner of Third and South Park streets
with the request that he be taken TO a
doctor. Flingine open his coat he showed
his shirt front and vest drenched in blood.
He was taken at oncs to the Receiving 2
Hospital, where he said he was playing
on the sofa with the baby in his residence
at 33 South Park. He had carving knife
in his hand, and slipping from the sofa,
he fell upon the knife. This story he
stuck to throughout al interrogation.
The physicians at the hospital examined
the wound, and found the left luig badly
punctured and ,he aorta badly cut He
was very weak from loss OF blood, and the
doctors do not believe he can recover
about an hour after the occurrence Mrs
Matte Hagan, his wife, appeared at the
Receiving Hospital. She had no idea OF
the enormity of the offense she had COM
mitted, as she thought she had only given
him slight scratch.
1T was all his fault" was the only an
swer she would vouchsafe at first to in
quiries as to the nature of the husband s
WOUNDS. Upon further questioning she
admitted that she did the cutting.
HE was always quarreling," she said.
''He was good to me, but he was awfully
Jealous. He accused me of the worst
things you could imagine. Last night he
came home and / was drinking a glass OF
beer. lie doesn't drink, and he would
have it that / was drunk
Then he commenced abusing me, He
threw a chair, intending TO hit me, and hit
my three-year-old baby. l had left the
baby on The lounge, and he said 1 was
neglecting it and was too lazy to get up
ard take il In bed.
''Then he called me an awfu! name. i
won't allow any man to call me that. and
when be came near me just pushed him
away with the carving knife. 1t will
teach him good lesson.''
To the police she stated that her hus.
band assaulted her with a hatchet, and
she used the knife in seif-defense.
Hagan is employed at an electrical es-
tabishment on O Farrell street.
His wife, who is a woman not over %
years OF age, petite and rather pretty, was
formerly a Miss Homick of San Jose.
Her father is at present EN- ployed in Oak
land.
She was allowed 10 return to her home.
but policeman accom- panied her to keen
guard on the premises.
Later Hagan said he was chopping
wood, and his wife had the carving-knife
in her hand. In a playful struggle for the
knife, he said, he was scratched.
The San Francisco call., 1897-02-27
ITS NAME PROPITIOUS.
The Good Samaritan Mission Opened
Thursday Night With an Enter
tainment and Feast.

Thurs day Night With an Enter
tainmenb and Feast.
The Good Samaritan Mission was
opened Thursday evening with an enter
tainment and feast. 1t is an institution
of the local Episcopal churches and Is
locaIed on Second street, near Folsom.
At the beginning of the exercises Rev.
w. D. Kip gave an address of Welcome to
the church people, the clergy, the parish
toner's and the San Francisco people gen.
orally who had so literally contributed
toward the building of the mission. The
programme included songs by the boys
choir of the chapel. hymn by the girls
choir, a violin obligato by Miss Ethel
Smith, a song by Miss Edith Smith, a
recitation by Miss McDermott and a selec-
ton by Professor Beiber's Mandolin Club.
The committee on arrangements was
composed of the Young Ladies' Guild
under the direction of Miss A c. Bemis.
The rooms will be open from 8 A. NJ. till
10 P. NJ. of every day, and on Sunday and
Friday evenings there will be religious
exercises. The mission is composed of
chapel, occupying the most OF the second
story, u sewing school, a boys and a
mems feading-room, a men 8 entertaining
room, gym nasium, a kitchen, a dispen-
sary and young ladies' guild room.
The San Francisco call., 1897-02-27

Muhs, J. S. scully, Miss Jennie Beggs, George
G. Williamson, Miss MeColgan, James A
White, NJ. F. Silk, William Stanford, Stanley J.
Fay, Miss Fay, Miss Estelle G. Fay, Mr. and
Mrs. W. B. Larkins, Miss n. Mcintosh, j. Null
cahey Miss Maggie Burns. Charles F. vagts.
Miss Lotue Vagts, Miss Clarisse Maison, s.
S. Wilcox, Mrs. s. s Wflcox, Miss X. Wilcox,
DR.. II. D. Noble, R. Hampton, j. q. Coe, p.
Dibert, w. w. FEMME, L. Schwartz F. H.
Miller, A. F, ,sehieicher, E. J. coffsy, William
N. Fitzmaurice, Percy V. Long, A. N Coprey.
L. Mahoney, Lewis ]. Byington, Miss Byington,
W. c. stedtfeld, Mrs. W. c. Stadlfeld. E. c.
Bartlett, Samuel Beach, L. Aitken, Miss NJ
Meyer, Emile White. T. H. Reynolds, E. o.
Collghan, L. S. Crack bon, lG. G. Stanford, r.
Quinlan, NJ. S. Harloe, J. E. McElroy, II. c.
Warwick, Miss Emma Prosesk, VIII Kennedy
A. c. Trautreiler, E. J. Angelo NJ SIS Ella Ever
ding, Bernard McEiroy, Miss Octavia Price, P
Hereman, DR.. D. D. Lustig. Ms. ]. ]. Young.
The San Francisco call., 1897-02-27
Santa ROSA cycling Meet

SANTA ROSA. CAL, Feb. g. - Fine
weather and splendid track will be two
factors contributing TO the success of the
race meeting here tomorrow, and fast
riding is looked for. As the people of this
vicinity have never before had the oppor-
tunity of witnessing bicycle contest be-
tween men of national reputation, it is
sale 10 prophesy that the capacity OF the
grounds VIII be taxed long before the
first race has been decided. The splendid
weather of the past few days has afforded
every opportunity for practice. and the
flyers are all in good trim for record
breaking.
The San Francisco call., 1897-02-27
SAUSALIT0 MAE'S 0EEENSE.
Charles Burrey Must Face the Law for
Taking Two Pictures Owned BY
the Sii7keys.

SAUSALITO, CAL, Feb. &c Art circles
in Marin County Will be treated to a bit of
surprise this week, for Daniel SIinkey, a
brother of J. e. Slinkey, the proprietor of
Ell Monte Hotel, has sworn to a complaint
= before Recorder Joseph H. Pryor, charg-
ing Charles Burrey. late OF Sausalito, but
now resident of san Rafael, with taking
two pictures from the Hotel Sausalito.
Mr.. Burrey is really not as bad man
as Mr.. Slinkey would have it appear, for
when he heard that Slinkey intended to
bring an action against him he took the
pictures from the wall which they graced
and returned them, and they now occupy
dust-covered shell in the hallway of
Hotel Sausalito.
The pictures are not origins al but, tose-
gether with the frames, they would PROB
ably bring a bout 81 75 at forced SALE
One represents Columbus at the court of
Ferdinand and Isabella and the other is a
chrome in colOrs of Roman chariot race
Sausaliio's entire municipal govern
ment is agitated over the affair, and Mar
shall John E. Greed has the warrant in his
pocket with which to surprise the unsus-
pectlng Burrey.
Prosecuting Attorner Adolph sylvia is
consulting his law books for cases bearing
on the subject and Judge Pryor, before
whom the case must De tried, is debating
in his own mind whether the offeuse is
serious enough to permit Mr.. Burrey to
enjoy freedom upon bail.
Mr.. Burrey is known from one end of
the county to the other, for he was tie
editor of the Herald, which, after chang
ing its headquarters to almost every town
in Marin County, finally gave up the strug-
gle for existence and died. Mr.. Burrey
for many years lived with the Slinkeys in
Sausalito and became imbued with the
IDEA that the pictures in question really
belonged to him. Now, Slinkey wants his
pictures, but at the same time be wants
Mr.. Burrey punished for taking them
away. and that is why the Marshal OF
Sausalito is waiting for the art admirer to
walk into the arms of the law
The San Francisco call., 1897-02-27
LIVELY AT RANDSBURG.
New Discoveries Being Made There
and in the Panamint and
Slate Ranges.

J. NJ. Wood, q blind musician, known in
many mining camps, has returned here
after long absence. He has just come
from Randsburg, where he spent month,
and says it is an exceedingly lively place,
and that miners and prospectors are ac-
lively at work.
a Mr.. Crawford found ledge within a
quarter of a mile of the town which ran
$500 to the ton. He had heard. too, that
the Butte claim was sold for $50, 600. A
good deal of work is being done in the
Panamint and Slate ranges. In the old
Caller placer mines they are finding big
nuggets, and most of the miners are max
ing 81 and S. day. man named Wat.
kins, who has started vaudeville show in a
large tent. is doing we'll, and is now try
ing to engage San Francisco talent.
The San Francisco call., 1897-02-27
WANTED TO BET.
Matthew Ward Says He Was Ell cted
From Ingleside.

From Ingleside.
Matthew Ward, by his attorneys John B.
Garland and John d. Whaley, has sued
the Pacific Coast Jockey Club for 5000
damages for being elected from the race
track at Ingleside on the 5th inst. Ward
AYERS that he was attending, seeing and
betting on the horseraces at 4 o'clock
when he was assaulted by the corporation
and was beaten with a cane and torcibly
elected from the Enclosure; that he was
mortified and humiliated and jeered at
and laughed at by the general public, thus
causing him much mental pain and an
guish, and he thinks he felt bad $4,000
worth, together with costs of suit.
The San Francisco call., 1897-02-27
Reception at sacranemto.

SACRAMENTO, CAL. Feb. 26.-one of
the swellest receptions ever rendered in
this CITY was given this evening at the
Golden Eagle Hotel by Mrs. General Bar
rett, Mrs. William Beckman, Mrs. Sena-
tor Flint, Mrs. Senator VOORHEES, and Mrs.
Senator Stratton. The rooms were beau
tifully decorated under the artistic dlrec-
tions of the Misses Mary and Bessie
Crouch, and ''tbe light fantastic" was
tripped until the wee sma' hours.
The San Francisco call., 1897-02-27
The City May Compromise.

buckingham & Hechrs claim against the
City and Co unity for damages for the flooding
of The basement OF their factory by an over
flowing sewer came up before the Judiciary
Committee OF the Board OF Supervisors yester-
day afternoon. The claim is between $4,000
and $4,000. The committee submitted
torneys for the firm suggested $4,000. The
matter went over one week to permit of con-
fernnce.
The San Francisco call., 1897-02-27
Oakdale-Sonora RniIt0av.

Railway Company of California is rush.
ing the preliminary work on the proposed
railroad from OakdaIe to Sonora. Within
a adistance ofthirty miles already traversed
only nine property hoIders remain who
have not given the ri. mt of way. AS
soon as the right of way is procured, work
will be begun at Oakdale and pushed with
all Dossihla snaed
The San Francisco call., 1897-02-27
Waters of The ONO Recrdin7.

CINCINNATI, ONO, Feb %. = The
river is falling. At s o'clock tonight the
news was given out at the waterworks
that the gauge there showed by the slight
est margin scarcely a quarter of an
inch, receding tide. Up 10 that hour
from P NJ the river has been stubbornly
at standstill of 81 feet 2 inches. 1t Is
more than likely that from now on the
waters will go down rapidly.
The San Francisco call., 1897-02-27
SaNrA ROSA JURoKS DISAGREE.
FGu to Reach Verdict In Er- Recorder
HaJps Case.

FGU TO Reach Perdtct In E1- RecoTder
HaJps Case.
SANTA ROSA, CAL, Feb. 26-Atter
being locked up for twenty-four hours, the
jury. in the case of the People vs. G. P.
Hall was unable to agree and was dis
charged by the court. Mr.. Hail was
charged with failing to account for $35 CT
county money, while serving as Recorder
of this county, the specific charge being
but one of a series of alleged shortages.
The trial lasted over two weeks, and was
most hotly contested. 1t is said to have
cost Sonona County $4,000, and the end
is not yet. 1t was shown during the trial
that 1our or five different persons had
access to the cashboX Of the Recorder
while Ar. Hall was in office, and this fact,
taken with the defendants excellent
character, bad a great influence with the
jury, seven mem bers of which had stood
out for acquittal to the last.
The San Francisco call., 1897-02-27
Attorners in CONTEMPT.

Attorneys Murasky and Smith appeared be-
fore the Justices of the Supreme Court yester-
day afternoon, and applied for writ of habeas
corpus to test the right of the lower court to
punish them for contempt. The Justices,
upon the showing made, denied the motion
and to-day the attorneys viii have to appear
before Judge Wallace, when the judgment for
c0ntemDt viii ue enforced
The San Francisco call., 1897-02-27
Fnp,o.toa Ia Coar-Laden Bark.

SWANSEA, WALES Feb. 26.-An ex-
plosion occurred to-day on the British
bark Kilmeny, Captain Jones, which was
loaded with coal for San Francisco. The
fore and main matches were blown off ana
three persons were injured. The explo-
sion was due to gas that had been gen.
Grated by the cargo.
The San Francisco call., 1897-02-27
TMn Indictment.

The Grand Jury returned an Indictment
against Jacob l.. Thurston on a charge of
shooting at George H. Pettis with intent 10
kill. The shooting occurred on the afternoon
of February IL on San Jose avenue
An ind ictment was also returned against g.
Lapisondo, charged with stealing ring be-
longing to Mary de Silva.