davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The San Francisco call., 1897-01-29

elected secretaries and recess was taken
while the chair named the usual COM
mittees.
Somehow or other the convention did
not partake of the usual nature of such
gatherings. The hurrah of former years,
when Frank j. Mcffit, Warren English,
William b. English and W. w. Foote took
hand in Democratic politics, was miss
ing and Charley McCleverty had to shout
for several minutes before the delegates
dispelled the chilly air of their respective
quarters by occupying them.
Instead of the old crowd younger gen.
Grafton was in evidence, and since their
political experience began the reign OF
Democracy in Alameda County has been
very unstable, and they met with hesi-
fancy. With the old-tim ers it was diff
ferent. They remember the time when
Democracy was King and they schooled
themselves to act in accordance with their
power. When things changed the old
guard dropped out of sight as soon as they
realized they could not control. Never
was this shown clearer than by the per-
sonnel of to-nights convention.
The chairman appointed committees as
follows:
OQ CTeQeQualS-Jame9 BrOWn, A. Il. NC
Donough, James Holmes, C. II. Brosnahan, W..
H. High, J. Stanley. G. F. Thompson.
On platform and resolutions-W. Dunn, j.
J. Mcdonald, James Neyland, c. II. Abbott,
T. E. Fieberling, M. Sullivan, w. F. Leonard.
On permanent organization and order OF
business-P. Murphy. ]. A. Forster, Charles
McCleverty, L. F. Hickey, c. W. Logan, P Z.
Dalton, V. Gilardln.
The first intimation of the old struggle
between the Moffitt and Fitzgerald wings
occurred over the proxy of j. B. Caring
ton, which was held by Frank J. Motfitt.
Will White of the Third Ward stated that
James Landregan held Mr.. Moffitt's proxy
and was therefore entitled to vote also for
Mr. Darlington. Con Brosnahan led the
opposition and q viva voce vote showed
that the Fitzgerald Brosnahan men pre-.
vaIled at the ratio of a bout to l.
The platform was short and clear. 1t
pledges the nominee to prosecute the
waterfront suits, to maintain good streets,
to alternate the fire hydrants so as 10 have
the benefits OF both, to an economical
administration, and concluded with q
plank regarding public schools and stating
that under no Consideration should any
sectarian influence be permitted to enter
into their administration.
When nominations were called for Ca RI
Abbott named Seth Mann for Mayor, and
the nomination was made by acclamation.
Mr.. Mann was called for and made little
speech.
Hiram a. Luttrell nominated Thomas
+. Garrity for City Attorney, and the
choice was made unanimous.
George Earl and r. M. Turner were
nominated for Counclmen at large. The
other two nominations are to be made by
the City Central Committee
John A. Britton, J. Chestnut J. W.
The San Francisco call., 1897-01-29
DID NORDHAUSEN
COMMIT SU|CIDE? !?
Detective Whitaker Says
He Will Prove That
He Did.
Captain Lees Has Also Arrived
at the Same Final
Conclusion.
The Inquest Will Take Place To-Day,
When Light MAY Be Throwa
on the Mystery.

The inquest on the body of G. G. Nord-
hausen, the Oakland capitalist, will be
held this morning by Coroner Hawkins,
and Detective Ross Whitaker, who has
been steadily working on the case, says
he will be able to show conclusively that
it was not murder but suicide, and Cap
tain Lees shares his views.
The facts that bear upon this positive
statement of the police have already been
published, but something was developed
yesterday that strengthens their views.
At the time Nordhausen was taken from
the room a partial examination could
only be made as the room was almost
Immediately occupied by gentleman
and his wife. Manager Lake told Detec-
tive Whitaker that as soon as the room
was empty he would notify him and
thorough search could be made. Yester-
day afternoon word was. sent to Whitaker
that the room was empty and he at once
went to examine it, accompanied by Lake,
when an important discovery was made.
A hole made by bullet was noticed in
the curtain of the window and hole in
the glass of the window made by the
same bullet. This led to the conclusion
first probably glancing off his forehead
and passing through the curtain and win
dow.
1t is assumed that Nordhausen had
been stretched on the lounge when he
fired the first shot. That position would
account for the course OF the first bullet,
the lounge being under the window, and
would also account for the empty shell
found in the batutub, which corresponds
with the cartridges found IN the revolver.
Finding that the first shot aimed at his
skull had not taken effect, Nordhausen
mad thrown the empty shell into the bath
tub and had loaded the revolver in every
chamber. Then he fired the shot at his
heart, which took effect and proved fatal.
1t is presumed that after wounding
| blood off with the towels found in the
room, one of which was seen tied around
his forehead on the occasions when the
bellboys took drinks into his room.
| Four cartridges were found in bureau
| drawer in Nordhausen's room; there were
| four in the revolver, and the shell found
| in the bathtub and the one in the re-
volver would show that he had two
| rounds of ammunition with him.
| All these facts, according to the police,
disprove the theory advanced by the
doctors that Nordhausen was shot out
side of the hotel.
There is some mystery about the
woman living in a room Immediately
above Nordhausen's who heard shot
| fired about o'clock NJ Monday morning.
| Manager Lake refused to give Detective
| Whitaker the name OF the woman, al
| though it was pointed out to him that her
testimony would be OF the utmost i'm
/ nortance
The San Francisco call., 1897-01-29
Love in a Courtroom,

OAKLAND, CAL, Jan. 2S.-The habeas
corpus proceedings of John Howard, the
motorman charged with being jointly
responsible with DR.. Sharpe for the death
of Anna Johnson, came up before Judge
Ogden this morning. As the evidence
was not all written up, the hearing OF the
petition was postponed till next Wednes-
day.
Hulda Johnson, the sister of the dead
girl, always greets Howard when he comes
into court, and to-day as they were before
Judge Ogden, he was holding her hand
and she was drawing her fingers through
his hair. Occasionally she would lean over
and kiss him. Howard is a very aristo-
cratic prisoner, and refuses to associate
with his fellow w-prisoners This morning
he was highly indignant when he was
handcuffed to Burglar jennings to be tax en-
to court. He protested that it was an out
rage to couple him to common burglar.
but his protest was unheeded.
The San Francisco call., 1897-01-29
ROBBED IN OAKLAND.
c. c. Nordhzusen Told a Peculiar
Story to a Landlady.

OAKLAND, CAL, Jan. 2S-Mrs. Lamp.
ing, who helps her mother to keep lodg-
ing-house at 476 Twelfth street, told q
story to-day that throws much light upon
the tragedy in which G.. G. Nordhausen
was the central figure.
"Mr. Nordhausen was at the foot of the
stairs about half-past IL on Friday morn
ing" said Mrs. Lamping. He was so in
toxicated that he could hardly stand, and
with the assistance of a gentleman who
saw the condition of affairs, | helped him
up the stairs and my mother put him in
room. lie slept till about noon of Fri
day and when he got up he said that he
would like to talk to me. His clothes
were very dirty, as if he had been rolled
in the mud and there was blood on his
mustache and his face. When looked
at the bed l saw that there was also blood
on the pillow and / thought that his
nose had been bleeding, but it may have
been from other causes.
"When 1 went into his room he was
very nervous, and it was with difficulty
that he could express himself clearly He
told me that he had been drinking, and
had decided to quit. told him that was
the best thing to do, and then suggested
to him that man with as much money
as ne had should get married, as be was
well able to look after a wife. He was q
frequent patron of this house before he
went TO Randsburg, and we all thought he
was single man, and much to my sur
prise he told me that he was already mar
ried. He asked me if he came 10 the
house alone, and told him that he did,
and he then said that he had been robbed
by two women In restaurant. he said
he did not know who they were, as he had
never seen them before, bnt only met
them casually. He told me that they
touched him for $50, and that he did not
know how or where he had parted from
them. He talked about his Randsburg
property, and said that it was a good
thing. and he intended to do all he could
down there. He seemed thoroughly
broken up, and convinced me that he was
sincere in his desire to reform and quit
drinking. He felt his position keenly,
and told me that he intended to go to
Randsburg Saturday, and that If he did
not 90 he would return to his room at
night
edge before last Friday morning, and
always behaved like gentleman. No one
thought his taking room here at all un-
usual, as it was not known that he was a
married man. He seemed to enjoy life
and was good-natured fellow, and |
never saw him the least bit blue until
Friday, when he really seemed anxious to
quit drinking"
The body OF the deceased was brought
to this city last night by ex-Coroner Evers,
who will conduct the funeral tom orrow
afternoon.
Mr. Evers said this morning that during
his many years as Coroner of this county
he had seen numerous cases of violeut
death, and he says that the wound On Mr..
Nordhausen's forehead was not caused by a
simple fall. He feels confident that others
are concerned in his death.
The San Francisco call., 1897-01-29
INTERESTED IN McKENNA
His Appointment TO the Cabinet
Would Affect Three Water.
Front Cases.
They Have Been Tried Before Him,
and the Evidence Wou Have to
Be Presented Again.
OAKLAND OFFICE SAN Francisco CALL,

OAKLAND OFFICE SAN FRANCISCO CALL,
905 Broadway, Jan. %.
The Mayor, the City Council, the at
torneys for the waterfront suit and Incl
dentally the whole city are interested in
Judge McKenna's Cabinet aspirations.
at the present time there are three
cases pending in the United States Dis
trict Court that have been heard before
Judge McKenna and which will have to
be retired if Judge McKenna should retire
from the bench. The Mayor, majority
Of the Council, City Attorney Peirsol and
Attorneys Hill & Davis were present,
and it was decided that nothing could be
done at this time. The cases are Cook
VS.. the city of Oakland, Southern Pacific
Railroad Company VS.. Oakland, and the
Southern Pacific Railroad VS.. George G..
Pardee.
These suits are the result of the water
front agitation of four years ago, and the
last two are for damages for the alleged
illegal removal and sale of railroad prop
erty from Broadway wharf.
Attorney Davis stated that all the evil
dence was written Up and that if Judge
McKenna should retire the cases would
have TO be retired. 1t would, however,
not be SO much work as at the former
trials because the presentation OF the cases
on behalf of the city would only require
review OF the testimony already offered.
1t was decided that the matter was alto
gether too delicate to be handled and that
nothing could be done at present, so the
conference concluded with united good
wishes for Judge McKenna and his Cab
met asnirations
The San Francisco call., 1897-01-29
PERFECTED The
{ WORK OF YEARS
A Haywards Inventor Pro.
duces a Remarkable
Rotary Machine.
Engineers Declare That 1t Will
Result in Great Changes
in Steam Engines.
E. o. Bennett Says He Has Just
Realiz the Dream of
His Lif.
OAKLAND OFFICE SAN FRANc1sco CALL

GARLAND OFFICE SAN FRANCISCO CALL,l
sos Broadway, Jan. q.
After many years of patient working
and earnest study, E. o. Bennett OF hay
wards has Just completed practical and
perfect engine, which those who have ex-
amined it declare to be the most wonder
ful and valuable mechanical invention OF
the age.
Many wears ago Mr.. Bennett conceived
the IDEA that it was possible TO derive the
greatest amount OF force from an engine
with the least possible material, and his
Xvention consists in what is known IS
1rota1y steam engine which is as powerful
las the ordinary machine OF six times its
weight and size. A delegation of prac ti-
cal engineers was recently invited to Mr..
Benefits studio to inspect his miniature
engine, which is not so high as the seat of
q chair. but which develops force equal
to fifteen horsepower. The engine only
weighs 400 pounds, and receives ample
steam through half-inch pipe. which is
but one-sixteenths the area of the stand
ara supply pipe OF the ordinary engine of
the same power while the weight of the
latter is about 2500 pounds, or six times
that of Mr.. Bennett's invention.
Mr. Bennett has spent most of his life
in solving mechanical problems, and his
invention attracted much attention in
San Francisco before his ill-health made
imperative his removal to the softer air of
Haywards.
His little engine is composed Of but nine
parts. There are no parts that require re-
pairing, tightening up or adjusting to
wear, neither are there any packing or
stufing boxes as all wear is automatically
taken up by the parts themselves.
In describing his engine to-day to s.
nett said: ut is decidedly pressure en-
gine, for the steam that once enters it has
got to move something to get out. In
propelling the wheel the steam acts upon
an average area Of only five square inches
Yet it is easy to understand that this is
sufficient to develop great power if you
take into account the fact that there is no
dead center to overcome nor heavy fly
wheel to move, but a continuous and di-
rect action of the steam upon the work
without the intervention OF excessive
weight and multiplication OF parts causin g
more or less friction.
''As soon as l have progressed a little
farther with my experiments | shall
patent my ideas both in this country and
abroad. | am now preparing to make
some very extensive tests, and l am con-
fdent that they viii show most wonderful
EesuIts and prove to the world that prac-
Eical and perfect rotary steam engine has
Eat last been produced, and that California
tTiIl add one more successful invention to
the long list she has already produced"
The San Francisco call., 1897-01-29

Evans aid w. III. o. Brien were nominated
for School Directors at large. A delegate
wanted to know why Chestnut and Evans
and Britton, being not Democrats, shou Id
be nominated, and Chestnut was with
drawn. ]. w. Evans was voted down and
the choice eventually fell upon w. H.
OBrien, John Britton, John Russ and DIR.
Myra Knox.
For Library Trustees-Dr. J. M. Shan
non. j. Bullock, B. A. Rabe, Lewis Aiken
and M. H. Egan.
For Ward CounciImen the following
nominations we're made: First Ward
James Heuneberry; Second Ward, T. r.
Girard; Third Ward, ]. G. Mcleod +;
Fourth Ward, c. H. Brosnahan; Fifth
Ward, Aron Ffbush Sixth Ward, E. a.
Stanley; Seventh Ward, III. ?. Capell
For School Directors from warts the
following were nominated: First Ward,
Third Ward, Henry GeodseIl; Fourth
Ward, c. w. Logan; Filth Ward, +. M.
Weston: Sixth Ward S. Bachrach; Sey-
enth. DR.. w. j. Wilcox.
The new city central committee was ap-
pointed as follows: First Ward, r. w.
Leonard and r. Wallace; Second Ward,
J. E. Erikson and ]. 7. Smith; Third
Ward, Morris AkerIy and A. 7. Melon
ough; Fourth Ward, NJ. J. Holland and
P Gallagher; Fifth Ward, r. NJ. Fitz-
gerald and W. H. High Jr.; Sixth Ward,
james Gilligan and James Stanley; Sew
enth Ward, NJ. ]. Croaks and Victor
Gi!ardin.
Carl Abbott moved that Montgomery
Clement be nominated for City En9ineer.
Another delegate nominated r. M.
Clement, and it was discovered that both
men we're the same and the nomination
was made unanimous.
The CITY Central Committee was en-
powered to complete the ticket by nomi-
hating two Couucilmen ct large, Auditor
and Treasurer.
The convention adjourned at 10:15, hav-
The San Francisco call., 1897-01-29
OOLORBD FOLKS HOME.

Elects Officers and Decides to Com
mence Building in June.
OAKLAND, CAL, Jan. 2s.-The Colored
Ladies' Old Peoples Home Association
elected the following officers to-day at the
annual meeting:
President Mrs. A. T. Stanford; first
vice-pr esident, Mrs. Louisa Jackson; sec.
ond vice president, Mrs. c. Frazier; third
vice president, Mrs. o. Goldstone; treas
urer, Mrs. Ella Smith; financial secretary,
Mrs. R. Leeks; recording secretary. Mrs.
NJ. Williams; assistant recording secre-
tary, Mrs. J. White; corresponding secre-
tarF. Mrs. Thomas Pearson. Banking
commlttee-Mrs. J. Oliver Mrs. NJ
Hum phries, Mrs. A. Gardiner Auditors
Miss W. Van Alstyne, Mrs. c. Harland,
Mrs. J. Shorey. Advisory board-Elders
E, ]. Edwards, Thomas Pearson, F. F.
White, L. D. Gardiner, F. w. Moore,
The San Francisco call., 1897-01-29
Cost of useless Trials,

OAKLAND, CAL, Jan. 28.-Judge Og-
den dismissed the charge to-day against
Albert LeFort, who was held to answer for
assault with deadly weapon. His attor-
ney moved for a dismissal because of a
lack OF evidence and Judge Ogden grant
ed it.
ALREADY this case has cost the county
$780, said the Judge, "and the evidence
clearly shows that nothing more than a
sim pie battery was committed, and !
doubt if conviction for tnat could have
been obtained had the defendant pleaded
self-deiense. Before holding a prisoner
committing justices should consider the
time of this court and also the expense
which it entails upon the county"
The San Francisco call., 1897-01-29

and were so far advanced when the family
awoke that they could only run for safety.
The loss was about $1,000, half covered by
insurance.
The origin of the fire is mystery. 1t
was the third blaze of the kind that has
occurred in the West End within the past
few weeks, and incen diarism is suspected.
Football Fi9ances.
BERKELEY, CAL, Jan. 2S.--Manager
Reinhardt has completed his financial re-
port of the football season just ended. 1t
shows that the entire receipts were S8649
and the expenses $685. 40, leaving pal
ance on hand Of 1914 so. The receipts of
the different games were as follows: Re-
lance game $152,. Olympic $l46 85. San
Mateo $40. Belmont $21 40, Reliance
$l93 20, freshman $267 10, Thanksgiving
Red ands $65 65, San Diego 500, Whittier
$317 20.
The amounts paid out by Manager
Reinhardt were as follows: Coaches
$1428 80, transportation $645 10. medical
service $92, construction, park and
campus, $1018 rs; trainlng-house and
hotel S2O76 20, student help $249 SO bus
equipment $S25 &c, printing and adver-
tieements 1884 70, 1rugs $135 20, work on
grounds and trackhouse $2l3, miscellany
$57 40, park rent 1925, managers expenses
SIP 20. telegrams $13 20, team entertain
ment S57 25, tickets, team, press, ETC.,
$3.50 so.
Boys and Girls Debate.
BERKELEY, CAL, Jan. 2S.-A debate
of High School students, boys against
girls. VIII be held tomorrow night in
American Hail. the Ecclesia and the
Forum being pitted against each other on
the question Of eleeting United States
Senators by a direct popular vote. The
two societies have met on the platform
before, when the girls proved victorious,
and now the boys are anxious to wipe out
the score.
The debaters for the Ecclesia will be
Miss Friedsmirk, Miss Mabel Davies and
Miss Florence Hoyt The Forum will be
represented by Messrs. Downer, Matthew
and Johnson.
Debaters for Berkeley.
BERKELEY, CAL. Jan. sc. E. Fryer
49, A. G. Marks OF the Law College and
FL. A. Overstreet '9S have been selected
to debate for California in the Carnot
medal test with Stanford. The final
debate of the various candidates tor the
homo attracted a large audience. There
were nine contestants in all.
The San Francisco call., 1897-01-29

, ing made record for being the most ex-
peditious municipal conven ton ever held
in this city.
There is a contention by well-informed ed
people here that the nominee OF the
Democratic convention this evening for
the office of City Attorney. Thomas F.
Garrity, is ineligible to the office he seeks.
There is a clause in the charter of the city
which plainly says that the City Attorney
must have been practicing lawyer OF the
State for five years previous to his cleo
tion. The charter is so very plain that
the only way to escape its provisions is to
attack the clause on the ground of un-
constitutionality, but undoubtedly Mr..
Garrity will, If elected, have contest on
his hands.
The San Francisco call., 1897-01-29
AUTHORS CARNIVAL.
Society VIII Be Entertained for Two
Nights by the Unity
Club

OAKLAND. CAL, Jan. 2s.-The Carni-
val OF Authors, which will be given by the
Unity Club at Reed Hall, opens tomorrow
evening. Many details have been added
during the past few days, and the stage
has been enlarged in order to enable an
elaborate production of the tableaux. The
program me for tomorrow night is:
Grand march of characters; overture,
'Romantique," Keller Bella; balcony scene.
Romeo and Juliet" A. W. Collins ana Miss
La Fayette of San francesca; Witches Dance
from "Macbeth" Misses Emma, Florence and
Genevive La Jeunnesse OF Alameda; musical
selection from "Robin Hood" De Koyen;
tableaux from GAS You Like It." Subject:
''The Duke in Exile" music, gavotte, "Fondly
Thine Own" Yoqngmsn; tableau, "The
mach, Merzbach; reading from Dickens
"Dombey and Som; The Fugitiyes," Mrs.
Maud Russell Robbins; tableau, "The Three
Guardsmen"; dance, lancers by characters.
The programme for Saturday evening is
as follows:
Grand march of characters; overture, Verdi
The San Francisco call., 1897-01-29
LABOR EXCHANGE PLANS
Alameda People Hold Meeting
to Forward the Enter.
prise.
Sudden Death of Charles w Peterson.
Mr.. Treanor Objects TO the
0dor of Horsefssh.

ALAMEDA, CAL, Jan. 28.-The body of
Charles W. Peterson was found on the
floor of the basement of his residence,
2317 Eagle avenue, by Robert Richardson,
the expressman. Peterson's wife died
August last and this had very depress-
ing effect upon him. Many times be has
been heard to say, Mamma calls me
every night to come to her and some night
1 am going TO her," Last Thursday he
said to Mr.. Hadley of the Pacific Hotel
cafe, "If this don't go will have to CO."
These remarks were repeated by others
upon the street to-day and caused many
to believe that Mr.. Peterson had COM
mitted suicide.
However, this was not the case, as was
proved by the autopsy held by Drs. Pond
and Keys this afternoon. An inquest was
held at o. clock with Charles Day, R. B.
Tappan, M. w. Simpson, Seymour Her
bert, S. Stephenson, Robert Collins, d. w.
Martin and William Highly as jurors. The
testimony of the doctors showed that
death ensued from an apoplectic fit.
The body was in such a position when
found as to lead to the conclusion that
Peterson had been lying upon the bed,
and, upon arising, had fallen to the floor,
striking his head upon the bedstead.
The deceased was So years old. He was
master of finances of Alameda Lodge No.
40, Knights of Pythias, and had resided in
this city for twentv-three years. He
owned the house in which he died. His
only living relative is a sister in Sweden.
A Labor Exchange.
ALAMEDA, CAL, IAN. 2S.-State Or
ganizer J. S. Clarke addressed good-sized
meeting last evening in the interest of
labor exchange. At the close of his ex-
planatory address the following-named
gentlemen signed the charter list and de-
clared their intention to organize an ex-
change: Sydney G. Mitchell, Green
Majors, R. H. Fallmar. H. Glissman, Will
liam Cubery, II. o. Bishop, G. H. He'd
drlck. r. H. Hitler, Walter Hyde, R. H.
II. Hunt, L. s. Orcutt, Lyman Smith, ].
n. Terrell, ]. G. Hurley. DR.. w. III. Robin.
son, Mrs. Ada Hitler, G. H. Thrane, Leo
Robinson, Carl Latzke. Mrs. 7. P. Mars
ton, 1. R. Marston, Mrs. Frances Logan
and T.. D. Weymouth. Next Wednesday
an adjourned meeting will be held, at
which time the charter will be closed.
The San Francisco call., 1897-01-29
LIKES FoLsoM,s CLIMATE.
Burglar Jennings Tells Why He Doe
Not Like san Quentin.

Not Like san Quentin.
OAKLAND, CAL, Jan. 2S.-John Jen-
nings, the burglar who terrified COM
panion at Haywards with an empty pis-
tol, was sentenced to three years impris-
onment in Folsom. He asked to be sent
to Folsom, because he said the climate
there was more healthy than at San Quen-
tin. jennings has been a boarder at both
places.
Jennings said that he wanted to live an
honest life, but such thing was impossi-
ble. He wanted to leave the State when
he was dismissed from San Quentin, but
had net the money The $5 gwen to each
man when leaving the prison was used by
him while in the hospital, and he lett
with money enough to reach San Fran
cisco. Four days later he was again under