davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The San Francisco call., 1897-12-25
GOLDEN NUGGETS
THICK UPON HIS
CHRISTMAS TREE
Klondike King Clements Displays
His Hard-Edrned Wealth to
Some Relatives and
Friends.

NEW YORK, Dec. PA $40, 900
the Lafayette Hotel tonight Piles of
800 gold pieces encircled its base
Nearly SAC, 900 worth of virgin nuggets
were tied to tips of bending branches.
James Clements, back from the Klon-
dixie, sat with his family and friends
around the treasure of a years gath
ering and thus celebrated the yuletide
and his transformation from a brake
man on the Southern Pacific Railroad
to a Klondike prince.
Mrs. Clements rubbed her eyes as
she sat in the room and wondered if
it was all a dream. She toyed with a
bracelet of gold nuggets that encircled
her wrist, and gazed at $4,000 worth
of dull hued Jumps and shimmering
yellow coin, fresh from the mint, that
weighted the tree on the center table.
There is a vast difference between
this Christmas and the one a year
ago." said Clements, meditatively.
"Oh, yes, 1 had a good dinner; but l
thought of my wife and little ones far
away in Los Angeles, who had scarcely
enough to eat, while I had gold in
abundance but could not provide for
them. 1 had a good dinner, though,
which cooked myself, and invited ten
other miners to help me eat. The food
cost me $135, and the service at that
was not the most fashionable
Yes" said Mrs. Clements, land the
same day 1 was i'll in bed and for din
ner we had fried potatoes and bread
and butter We didn't have any pres
ents at ALL"
This year." continued Clements.
1--WE thought we would come East and
see the country. My wife was raised
in California, and 1 had never been
East. We have friends here, and I
guess they will be glad to see US. /
have brought along nuggets and coin
made from gold 1 brought back
amounting to from $50, 0,OeO to $40. 900. to
show my friends here. Some of the
nuggets are worth $500 apiece. To-
night 1 thought it would be a pleasant
thing to have Christmas-tree for the
children-the first one they have ever
had-and let our friends have a glimpse
OF Kondike riches.
The San Francisco call., 1897-12-25
EM-E-E-H-m-EaE
Call Office, Riggs House,

<.
The following appeal to the Amer
lean people has been issued:
The San Francisco call., 1897-12-25
BATTLE-SHIP OREGON
GOING ON THE DRYDOcK.
Through the cdreiessness of q Gunner q
Whitehead Torpedo Is Lost-court-
Martial Probable.

SEATTLE, Dec. 24-The battle ship
Oregon, which is now at Port Orchard,
will go on the drydock January at
high tide
To-day. while the crew on the Ore
gon were engaged in torpedo practice,
and by reason of the carelessness of
the gunner's mate, a Whitehead tor
pedo went to the bottom of the
Sound This loss means that the Gov
ernment is out S2500. An investiga-
ton will follow, and in all proba ability
the man at fault will be court-mar-
tailed. It appears that the arrange
ment Of the compressed air mechan-
ism was remiss. When the torpedo
left the tube and entered the water
the motive power. compressed air,
failed to propel the torpedo TO the tar
get. and the vent being open the air
chamber filled with water, causing it
TO sink. Divers have since been un-
successfully at work in the effort to
recover the torpedo.
The San Francisco call., 1897-12-25

The following appeal to the Amer
lean people has been issued:
Department of State,
Washington. D. c.. Dec. "a, 1897
BY direction of the President the pub
lie is informed that in Difference to the
earnest desire of the Government to con-
tribute by effective action toward the
relief of the suffering people in the ISL
land of Cuba arrangements have been
perfected by which charitable contribu-
tions, in money or in kind, can be sent
to the island by the benevolently dis
posed people of the United States.
Money, provisions, clothing, medicines
and the like articles Of prime necessity
can be forwarded to General Fitzhugh
Lee, the Consul-General of the United
States at Havana, and all articles now
dutiable by law SO consigned will be
admitted 10 Cuba free of duty. The Con-
sul-General has been instructed to re-
ceive the same and to cooperate with
the local authorities and the charitable
boards for the distribution of such relief
among the destitute and needy people Of
Cuba
The President is confident that the peo-
pie Of the United States, who have on
many occasions in the past responded
most generously TO the cry for bread
from peoples stricken by famine or dire
calamity, and who have beheld no less
communities when their own country
men have suffered from disastrous
floods, will heed the appeal for aid that
comes from those at their own threshold,
and, especially at this season of good
will and rejoicing, give of their abund-
ance to this humane end.
. JOHN SHERMAN.
The appeal was issued after CONSUL
tation with Minister Dupuy de LONE.
The Spanish minister called at the
State Department about noon to-day
and conferred with Judge Day con-
cerning the relief of the reeoncentrados
on the island. He made it clear that
the Spanish Government would CO.
operate in any relief measures, and
that there was entire willingness that
the supplies go direct to COnsul-Gen-
eral Lee, instead of through the Span
ish relief channels.
The negotiations have been proceed
ing for some time. The first active step
in this direction was taken by the
President on December l, and was in
the form of a request that the minister
learn from his Government whether the
regular tariff duties would oe relnitred
on relief supplies sent to Cuba Min
lister de LONE soon afterward answered
that Spain had consented to grant even
more than had been requested, and
that the duties would be remitted not
only on articles which the President
had referred to, but on all medicines,
soap, salt and similar articles of prime
necessity, which might enter into The
plan of relief. The only condition at
tached was that the supplies should
go through the regular relief COM
The San Francisco call., 1897-12-25

I when it exploded. Tobey tells the story
/ Of the casualty as follows:
Jerry had just taken the hose from
a man with one arm, whose name I be-
lieve is Wilson. Jerry had a stiff hat
and asked me- to trade with him, as /
had a soft hat, which he could pull
down over his face. We traded as he
requested. I was watching the burn
ing tanks and saw the flaming ben
zine tank coming for US. We We're
/ standing behind a table, which had
been thrown on its side. I yelled TO
Jerry to drop the hose and run, but I
guess he did not understand me, for he
did not move. Just as I shot into the
roundhouse I saw it go by. The tank
I did not strike Jerry; it was the oil
that burned him.
As soon as I saw that Jerry had
been caught in the wave of burning oil
that the tank threw out 7 rushed over
TO the Chief Of Police and told him
that Jerry was killed. The smoke was
so thick that we could not see him,
but a minute afterward we saw his
burning body and we rushed in and
succeeded in carrying It about 100 feet
away. We tore off what little clothes
were left on him. put an overcoat
under him. placed him in wagon and
took him to the Receiving Hospital"
William Mooney of the Santa Clara
Fire Department was also at
O'Brien's side when this explosion oc-
CURED. His story is short and
graphic. Moneys right hand and
ear were burned, his leg was badly
bruised and he was rendered uncon-
scious for half an hour by the explo-
sion.
We were not watching the burning
tanks" said Mooney. "O'Brien had
just remarked, It is pretty near time
we We're being relieved We had been
there about an hour and had been
working in shifts. Just as the last
word left his mouth. bang, bang she
went, and that was the last I know of
anything until came to half an hour
afterward."
Immediately after the explosion re-
ports We're aflOat that three persons
had been killed and dozens injured, but
the facts are as stated, with the addi-
ton that several persons who We're
close to where the tank exploded re-
ceived slight burns from the flying par
ticles Of burning oil.
The establishment of the Standard
Oil Company is located just to the
north of the tracks Of the Southern
Pacific broad-gauge line, and two
blocks west of First street, where the
passenger depot stands. When the
benzine tank exploded a monster
cloud of flames and smoke separated
from the main fire rose several hun
dred feet in the air and travelled with
the wind toward the east for about half
a mile before the fame died out The
heat from this was so intense that il
was felt in the rooms of the Hotel Ven
dome through closed windows While
little noise accompanied the explosion
the concussion of the atmosphere was
felt in buildings nearly mile away.
O'Brien was SO years of age and un-
married. OF late he had been in the
The San Francisco call., 1897-12-25
WHERE rs PARD0'S F0RcEs
Spanish General and His Column Not
Heard From for DAYS.

HAVANA, Dec. 24.-Captain-G General
Blanco has cabled to the Spanish Min
lister at Washington, Senior Dupuy de
Lone, that Americans have authority
to send supplies to the recontentrados
of the island without paying customs
duties.
General Pando, the Spanish Com
mander-in-Chief in the. field, who,
with an escort, recently landed on the
south coast of Santiago de Cuba in
order, according to the official report,
to reconnoiter that part of the island,
has not been heard from for five days.
1t was announced to-day that he had
arrived safely at the City of Santiago
de Cuba, but the report was subse-
quently officially denied, and it was
said that the General had attacked the
insurgents in that province with strong
The San Francisco call., 1897-12-25
Brave jerry O'Brien's AW-
full Death by Fire
at San Jose.
A Christmas Eve Tragedy at the
\ Burning Of the Standard
Oil COmpany's
Works.

SAN JOSE, Dec 24.-SorrOw reigns
in several households this Christmas
eve in consequence Of the fire which
destroyed the Standard Oil Company's
rroperty in the yard Of the Southern
tactic Company this afternoon. In
stead Of joyful preparations and happy
antfcipatiOns of the coming Christmas
day the parents, brothers and sisters
OF jeremiah O'Brien are mourning his
shocking fate.
O'Brien, who died in terrible agony
ct 7:30 this evening, met his fate
bravely performing a fireman's duty,
while endeavOring to save the rail-
roads property from the threatening
flames. He was not a member Of the
regular fire department. but was called
into service, 50 It was stated, by some
one connected with the railroad COM
pany. Others say that Chief Ford
Of the San Jose Fire Department re-
Quested him to give a hand in manip-
ulating the company's fire hose, but
this is denied by the Chief
No more dangerous fire has ever been
fought by the local fire department.
about 100000 gallons Of oil furnishing
food for the flames. Eight huge tanks
with a capacity OF from 5000 to 10000
gallons each, contained the inflamma-
bic material. Two of these tanks con
tanned benzine, two gasoline, and the
remainder are believed to have been
partly filed with coal oil. From time
TO time one and then another of the
tanks would burst open, but without
any great explosive force.
While the coal oil tanks were thus
bursting, no especial fears were enter
tanned for the lives Of those who were
fighting the flames or for the thousands
Of spectators who had crowded the
neighbOrhoOd of the fire. or for the
surrounding property. It was the ex-
plosion Of the benzine and gasoline
tanks that was dreaded, and very
naturally, as events proved
The first alarm was turned in at l
o m, but was soon followed by a gen
eral alarm. The efforts Of the fire de-
partment We're severely handicapped
owing to the lack Of facilities for OBJ
tanning water. The nearest fire plug
was 400 feet away, and the next was
between 1900 and 1900 feet distant.
When Chief Ford arrived he quickly
realized the fuility Of endeavoring to
save the buildings which contained the
plant and goods Of the Standard Oil
Company. He therefore directed the
iabors Of the men toward saving the
warehouses and roundhouse of the
Southern Pacific Company and the
large fruit warehouses in the vicinity.
In this he was almost entirely success
ful, the only railroad property that was
destroyed being the cattle corral to the
north Of the oil warehouses. It is esti-
mated that the total loss viii be be-
tween $50, 900 and S25, 900
It was about 2:35 P. VI. that the ex-
plosion occurred which resulted in
0'Brien's dreadful death. In company
with Bernard Tobey he was operating
the railroad companys hose against
the southern end of the roundhouse.
They were standing about 100 feet
away from one of the benzine tanks
The San Francisco call., 1897-12-25
All Donations to Be Distributed
by the American Consul
General.
NO DUTIES NEED BE PAID.

Spanish Government Willing to Co
operate in Providing Supplies
for the Needy.
The San Francisco call., 1897-12-25
The Santa Cruz of Seattle.

SEATTLE, Dec. 24-The steamer
Santa Cruz which on her downward
trip from Alaska ran aground on Dahl
patch Reef, arrived here to-day The
vessel has large hole in her hull. She
viii be taken to Tacoma and placed on
the drydock at Quartermaster Harbor
for renal irS
The San Francisco call., 1897-12-25
-E-H-E-E-@-H-H-E-E-
= FOR FREEDOM
OR DEATH.

. HAVANA, Dec. "a. =
have received this letter from !
Maxine Gomez, commander I
in chief of the insurgent army 4
. in Cuba: =
! ,, Headquarters of the Gen !
eraI of the Cuban Army, i
. Las Delicias, Dec. 5, 1897. T
:" | am in possession of I
= your letter of the 9th ult., =
= and | will answer it briefly. .
"All have to say regard |
n ing this great and heroic war :
: in Cuba is a complete ratifi- 2
= cation of our manifesto issued 4
= at Monte Christi. You may !
make it known to the Ameri- |
can people through the COL !
= umns Of the renowned news .
. paper of which you are cor
= respondent that it is the firm
resolution of the army and d
people OF Cuba, who have
= shed so much blood in order .
Rto conquer their Independ- !
ence, not to falter in their !,
just cause until triumph or I
death crowns their efforts.
. " Yours respectfully, =
"M. GOMEZ" :.
The San Francisco call., 1897-12-25

columns Of troops, the enemy accept
ing battle Still another report has it
that General Pando has arrived at
Baire, in the province of Santiago de
Cuba. In that vicinity and in the
BayamO Department the insurgents
are said to be in force, we'll armed and
well supplied with ammunition. They
are under the command of Calixto
Garcia and Rabi.
The San Francisco call., 1897-12-25
NEWS OF THE DAY.

Weather forecast for San Fran
cisco; Fair Saturday; continued
cool weather; light northerly
winds
Maximum temperature for the
past "A hours:
San Francisco ...........52
portland ..-...-...................5O
Los Angeles ..-.-........e4
San Diego ...................5S
FIRST PAGE.
Boiled Alive in Blazing Oil.
A Golden Christmas Tree.
Starving in Cuba Need Help.
SECOND PAGE.
San Jose's Peculiar Officials.
Auburn Society Event
Omaha Welcomes San Francisco.
The Stomach Not Essential.
THIRD PAGE.
England Strong in the East.
Wages Are Going Up.
Altgeld Not Beaten Yet.
Dawsonites to Be Aided.
FOURTH PAGE.
Chicago Coliseum Burned.
Bikers Ready TO Race.
Bought Golden Turkey
Californian Dies From Exposure
Stabs a Foe to the Death.
FIFTH PAGE.
Christmas Among the Churches.
SIXTH PAGE.
Editorial
Farmers Oppose Annexation.
Demagogues and the Charter
Christmas Aspirations.
The Golden Jubilee.
Personals and Queries.
SEVENTH PAGE.
Ladies in Ancient Costumes.
Hof Before the Court
EIGHTH PAGE.
Sports by Flood and Field
NINTH PAGE.
Vessels Wanted for the Klondike
A Tout Shot by a Saloon Man
TENTH PAGE.
Commercial News.
ELEVENTH PAGE.
News From Across the Bay.
War Among the Doctors
TWELFTH PAGE.
Races at Oakland.
Developments in the Keefe Case
THIRTEENTH PAGE.
Births, Marriages, Deaths.
FOURTEENTH PAGE.
Welburn Among the Missing
Invasion of Korea by Russia.
Durrant Tries New Tack.
The San Francisco call., 1897-12-25

employ Of ]. P. Jarman as a hostler.
He lived ar 333 West San Fernando
street
The San Francisco call., 1897-12-25
RELIEF FOR
THE CUBAN
SUFFERERS
Sherman Addresses
an Appeal to the
Country.
Asks for Contributions for
the Stricken Islands
People.
All Donations to Be Distributed
by the American Consul
General.
NO DUTIES NEED BE PAID,
Spanish Government WILLING to CO.
operate in Providing Supplies
for the Needy.

Special Dispatch to The Call.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-05-06
THE DAY in The SENATE.
Ame ndment Offered to the Civil
Snudry Appropr iation Bill.
TO SUSPEND FOREST RESERVE ORDER
Senator Dcboc Took the oath OF
Ofncc--Constdcrabic Discussion
ON Civil service Occurred.
Spend FOREST RESERVE ORDER

Washington. May 5.--The open session OF
the senate today was devoted to the sun
dry civil bill. which was not completed w
to the time of adjournment
Mr.. neboe OF Kentucky took the oath OF
office al the opening OF the session and
was cordially greeted by his republican
associates,
A towering bouquet of American beauty
roses and lilies was placed on the desk
occupied by Mr.. Deboe. which adjoins that
of Mir, llama aud .s in the rear row OF the
republican side.
The sundry civil appropriation bill WAS
taken up.
Mr.. Allison offered an amendment to the
item for a survey OF the Nicaragua canal
route so that the proposed commission shrll
consist OF from three to five members from
the army or navy or civil life, at the presi-
dents discretion. The amendment caused
some opposition and finally went over for
further consideration,
Considerable civil service discussion fol-
lowed tho Introduction OF M aincn.ancnt Nv
Mr.. Wilson of Washington asking the ap-
continent OF commissioners to classit,'
Northern Paclnc land IN the Northwest "by
and with the consent OF the senate"
Mr. German urged that this was an cf-
fort TO take the offices out of the civn
service The amendment was finally modl
He'd and adopted 40 that the appointc,s
shall he confirmed by the senate and shall
be divided between tho political parties.
MIR German remarked that h. hoped the
provision as TO dirs RECOGNITION OF the
political parties would be carried on, In
GOOD faith. In certain recent appointments
no attention had boen paid 10 such pro.
visons
MIR Morgan offered an amendment an
propriatinE s5o.o00 for the Improvement OF
Pearl harhor Hawaii
a. Al ,.un
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-05-06

laud, WIS, and George Stout OF Cincinnati.
was won by Van Hecst in the fourth
round George Slcr acted AZ referee.
NEW iORK--rhc national or gold)
democratic party held primary elections
and chose members OF the assembly dis
trict committees
ClllCAGO--The case OF the Manhattan
Cement company against The city of Chi
caco. the first of a scrica of damage suits
hesun by railroads and other corporations
To recover money for damages done TO
their property during the riot incident to
the nobs strike In the summer of 1894, ~
Oh trial In itself the Manhattan company
suit is trifling matter, but when II liz
settled precedent viii be established ON
suits Involving about Sl,bOo,000
WAsilINGTON~Thc Universal Postal
CONGRESS met In the great hall Of the old
torcoran Art Gallery. Fifty-nVe couutriea
comprising most of those in the postal
union. were represented Corea, China and
the Orange Free state, which are now
outside The pale of tho union, had dele
gates present,
HlNGTON--Westorn members OF
the house are preparing TO make strong
stand for the retention of the duty on hides
in the tarlm bill
HANANA-rhc Insurgents have dyna-
mitcd repair train near Mluas, between
Ncuviias aud Puerto Principe. killing two
and wcundng -four other soldiers aud vol
untecrs. passenger train which was
coming along al the same time had a very
narrow escape from disaster.
INDIANAPOLIS. Ind,-rhc funeral of
ex Governor Albert Porter was attended
by the State officers In a body. Exprcsi-
dent Harrison, Governor Mount and OK
Governor Matthews we're among the hon
orary pail bearers
HAVANA The insurgont leader. Calivto
Sotorcucc his adJutnt. and sixteen of their
followers have surrendered. 1t is aunounc-
cd, to the Spanish authorities at Snnou
SprtuH.
MINNEAPOLIS. MINI. Fire destroyed
DESTROYED the building OF the ltasca Ware
house company. with contents. Loss.
100000
WASIIINGToN-Ion w j. Calhoun of
Illinois who is to 70 to Havana to conduct
an investigation into the circumstances sur
rounding the death of Or Ruiz. will leave
for his destination this week.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-05-06

SHORT TEXAS SPECIALS

DALLAs-At the annual meeting Of the
Dallas tommercial Gun, President j. f.
voe T.. T. Turner was made hrst vice
pre- lent A board Of ten directors was
also chosen. Secretary Paul r. Giraud. II
Is thought, VIII be rcapppinted by the ai-
rcctory,
ALrINE-Paz yica, Il sheep herIer wac
shot and morally wounded Cy.us In ii
short time, on he CrossOn ranch.
/ On FRANKLtN-rhe election for
shern ~ Deita county, ordered by The
court In the cou,e7te1 election ease, was
S. y. 1urberville.
LAGRANGE Judge j., W. Moore and
j T. Duncan. coinpos ~ The law hrm of
Moore Dunran. have, by mutual agree
mont. dissolved partnership.
GEORGETOWN Tho PAST three days
of warm sunshine have started all veset1-
ION proving II a rapid gait Cotton is
all uh-ntci and farmers are busy Gnop-
taken the grass on the prair'es and he
ON. Uasiure that = OF any account i
along The timber. The ground + weil
seasoned and prosperts were meyer bright
err for abundant CROPS OF all kinds'
AI,VIN-Thc OIL on crop has been re-
rniiueratIve to tn truck farmers who were
fortunate enough 10 have q paAch plahtoi.
They are being shipped now ana eooi
pr,c. olt aimed.
FORT WORTH-l'he battle OF flowers 10
b. hfii May II : arousin.' great enthusl-
asrn and every day adds new features
YoAKUM--The ffth annual celebration
Of the fire department was grand Cue
cess.
SHERMAN Treasurer Jordan TOOK
an opiite for insomnia, TOOK TOO much
and was found unconscious. III" was as
Covered in time and hs ilfe saved
KDNNEY- John syetlik, a. bohemian
farmer. was ACCIDENTALLY killed BY Pc
AZ, large of an Old cap ana ban piston
he was load ng
DALLAS Maria Powers, 70 years .solldd.
cc,nnrl.tel suicide when found she sasd
- hsve taken a box of Rough, on kais
h5ye no money, no friends and am ured
wAcO-L. A. Donaldson. charged with
roi'b'nx the United States mails, was
conyicied by the jury N the Federal
ppAzoRIA-,s H. smothers. an old
49, MORO school teacher has iSsuel IN
l 'I4r,es 10 M former pupils ask LOT
unoN,'',,,,but.ons Ia further huld un ana eH-
TEND his school here
rrUpIs- i3uinot Hart. a negro men
-, 80 killed Mamie Terrell, Mex.ctn
s,.n,ns m, He shot her twice in the iore-
mssa He was arrested.