New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-01-09
TOPICS IN CALIFORNIA.
THE EXECUTION OF DURRANT A BLESS
ING-THE WHEAT CROP MAY BE IN
DANGER-BURIALS IN SAN
FRANCISCO-THE SAL
WALTON ARMY
COLONY.
10y TELEGRAPH TO THE TRlsuNE.l

lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE ThiSONE.J
San Francisco, Jan. SIT is a good thing for
this city and State that the last has been seen
of the Durrant case Though the murderers
narents declare that they Will continue the effort
TO find the real culprt, one attaches any
weight TO their words The evidence against
Durrant was circumstantial. but II was so con-
elusive that intelligent jury could have ianed
to convict him. The jury that tried him was
unusually intelligent and very fair-minded'
Throughout the trial the members showed
b., their desire to have all the facts brought De-
Tore them. The prisoners demeanor during
the trial and after his conviction was not that
OF an innocent man unjustly accu ed. lie mace
use of every device of law. and his abnormal
GOODNESS betrayed one who was searching FOR a
chance TO escape from the net which the police
had woven around him. During his prison
life and when he brought three times
within the shadow OF the gallows. Durrant
showed iron nerve. When the last hope was
gone yesterday he still maintained his unnatu-
raj calmness. and without the use of any stinl-
ulants he went 10 death with an even pulse ana
no outward signs Of excitement HIS cam
ness and his peculiar speech on the gallows.
which was a carefully worded piece Of oratory'
delivered as though Il college PLATFORM
robbed the execution Of all the usual features
OF a hanging. Tho execution OF Durlant IS OF
service in redeeming California laws from con-
tempt anu removing from the full glare or pup
licity a case, which was extremely defnordl,
izing Discussed IN all It's details. no crl'linai
case has excited such widespread attention
here since the notorious shooting or Crtteh
den, the lawyer, by Mrs. Laura ID falr. bul
even that crime surpassed by the enornlty
Of the offence Of a man who brutally Killed ana
outraged TWO young girls. The way Durrant
counsel played with law and prevented ms exc exc,
cution for over two years has showed the cry
ing need Of reform OF criminal procedure In
California
Light rain fell through the northern and mid
die counIes on THURSDAY, but the raIh IA.
amounted in fay o1ed places to no more than hail
an inch, and throughout the san joaquin ' al
ley to only one-tenth. This mere shower
the had effects Of the lOng-Continued dry speH,
which has aroused fears for the safeF or me
wheat crop. Early sown grain is whitening whne
seed which has not sprouted may rot III lhe
ground unless moisture comes soon.
city ordinance was passed last summer for
iidNIng any burials in the City Cemetery after
January l. This week Charles Magic on be-
half Of the Chinese Six Companies. secured an
extension of thirty days for his clients, and il
Is probable that some OF the benevoen. asso-
Citations will attempt 10 have the ordnance
rescinded. The Chinese. however. will nur-
chase burial ground in San Mateo County,
where other cemeteries are now located. IhH
old City Cemetery lies on the eastward slope OF
hill overlooking the Golden Gate ana new
suburban roads have brought Il almost within
the residence district.
The old Stevenson Block, a; the southwest cor
ner OF Montg emery and California SITS" VIII De
remodelled and converted into modern ONCE
building by the owner. eX-COngressman Thomas
j. Clunie. Tie entrance Viii be on California-st'
Mr.. and Mrs Lloyd Tevs gave this week
ball which served to introduce 10 society their
grandlaughter Miss Susie Bl2ndrg. daughter
of Mr. and Mrs. Gordon Blanding BY reason
of bereavement this the first time In ten
years that the Tevis home. one or the earliest
mansions erected in san Francisco has been a
scene of an elaborate social gathering. Many
Of the young people present were children OF
those who enjoyed the hospitality OF the Tevis
family In earlier years
Stuart Robson revived THE Henrietta" this
week at the Baldwin. and his BERTHE the Lamp
proved a treat to old and young playgoers Mrs.
Robson played Mrs Opdyke. The IRE IN lhe
Columbia Theatre building on THURSDAY night
will compel the closing Of the theatre for several
DAYS, as much damage was caused by water.
The properties and scenery Of IN Gay New
York were saved through the eXertons Oh
J. Sherria Matthews who inhaled conslderaD1e
smoke. but was soon revived.
About forty students VIII be dropped from the
State University at the beginning OF the w winter
semester for failure to keep up in their studies
The examinations have been made more rls ll.i
The total number Of students in the University
Is 1563 Of whom 't9 are women Inc Increase
last year Is 10.
One of the features Of the stock and bond mar
ket this week has been the rapid advance OF the
Alaska Packers Association stock. which rose
from 80 to 99t4. This advance is due TO the "a
vcrab!e reports Of salmon packers and 10 the
prospect OF large gains from the use Of the COM
pany's vessels as coal carriers to Alaska.
The Salvation Army colony at Soledad, Mon
terey County. was formally started this week by
Commander Bojth-TuckeT. Twenty fanlilles
movcd unon the land and occupied part OF the
thirty cottages which have been built The tract
comprises five hundred acres, and each OF the
fifty families intended for the colony VIII hate zen
ares The plan is to raise sugar beets for Claus
Spreckelss new factory, near by. and u demon
strate the value Of cooperative farm com
rnunitv as remedy Cor the crowding or the UNI
employed in the cities
The buildings Of the great Treadwell Mine, on
Douglas Island. Alaska. narrowly escaped de-
struction by fire recently. Flames broke out III
Tho miners boarding house. and only the eX-
cnllent fire arrangements saved the other build
ings.