davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The San Francisco call., 1898-12-29
MISS FAIR NOTIFIES
 FATHER PRENDERGAST
Telegram That Is Believed to Have Contained News of Her Be-
 frnthal

Father John J. Prendergast. vicar general of the Archdiocese of San Francisco, yesterday received a tele- gram from Miss Virginia Fair. Father Prendergast was for years the adviser of Miss Fair and is still her most trusted friend. Therefore the receipt of the telegram, coming so closely after the report that Miss Fair was be- trothed to William K. Vanderbilt Jr.. gave rise to the belief among the young ladys friends in this city that 1t related to her engagement and that she was seeking the advice of the reverend father. The vicar general would not divulge the nature of the dispatch. but he did not deny that it related to the engagement of Miss Fair and MT. Van derbilt.
 Until the lady gets ready to speak I must hold my peace. he said. AS l have always advised her as to any inn portant move she was about to make. it would be perfectly natural for her to seek my advice in this affair of the heart However, 1t would be violating a confidence should I reveal the con- tents of the message l received from Miss Fair"
 Father Prendergast was asked if it were not likely that Miss Fair would come to San Francisco, and that her marriage to MT. Vanderbilt would be
The San Francisco call., 1898-12-29
CUBAN SOLDIERS TO
 RECEIVE BACK PAY
Three Million Dollar Emergency Fund May Be Used for the
 the Purpose.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 2S.-Negotiations are progressing in the matter of the pay ment of Cuban troops, so that on laying down their arms they may be enabled to enter upon civil pursuits and earn their living. Probably no further appropria- tion by Congress will be necessary to en- able the President to carry out the plan if 1t should be decided, as it probably will be, to advance money, charging it against the revenues of Cuba, to pay the Cubans part of the money due them for their services in the Cuban army. Pending the establishment of a permanent govern ment there is no authority responsible for the payment of these soldiers, and unless this Government advance the money as loan they will have to go for an indefinite period without pay for services already rendered in the war for independence.
 The special deficiency appropriation bill carries an item of S3,0O0,0O0 as an emer- gency fund which the Government may use for any purpose, and the idea is to advance the money for the payment of the Cuban soldiers out of this fund. It is understood, however, the President has not yet consented to this arrangement.
The San Francisco call., 1898-12-29
JOSEPH S. WALLIS DEAD.
Pioneer Jurist Passes Away at His
 Home in MaYfeld

HATFIELD, Dec. 2S.-Ex-Judge Joseph s. Wallis died at his residence here at 6 o'clock this morning, aged g years.
 Joseph s. Wallis was born at Salem, Mass, October 24, 1S25 He came to Cali fornia, arriving at San Francisco on July 1s. 1S49. on the ship Capital which sailed from Boston in January of that year. After remaining about two years in the mining sections of Sacramento and the Middle Tuba River country, he located at San Francisco and became associated with the law office of William H. Rhodes
 On November ', 1857, he severed his con- nection with the law office of Mir. Rhodes and located at Mayfield, and has ever since resided here. In 1859 and 1860 he was associate Judge with John Moore in the Court of Sessions of Santa Clara County. He was elected to the Senate of California In 1862. and represented this district in the sessions of that year and 1S63 during which time he served on the important judiciary and engrossment committees.
 He married Miss Sarah Greene, a na- tive of Ohio, on July 5, 1854. She owned the land where Sutter built his mill, and 1t was on property of which she had been the former owner that gold was discov- cred in 1S4S
The San Francisco call., 1898-12-29
DR. H. SEWARD WEBB
 MAY SUCCEED MORRILL,
Is a Member of the Vanderbilt Fam fly by Marriage and Very
 Prominent

CHICAGO, Dec. 2S-A Washington spe- cial to the Post says: Vermonters In Washington think the new Senator from that State will be Dr. H. Seward Webb, member by marriage of the Vanderbilt family. pr. Webb became a resident of Vermont several years ago, built himself a splendid mansion and takes a great in terest in politics. He was originally a St. Louis physician. Of late years he has been actively and prominently identified with the management of the vast Wander bilt interests, his special assignment being to look after the Wagner Palace Car Company.
 With br. Webb and Dr. Chauncey M Depew in the Senate of the United States the Vanderbilts will be well represented in the upper walks of national politics.
 WASHINGTON, Dec 28.-There Is much speculation as to who will succeed Sena- tor Merrill as chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance. The committee Is generally considered in some respects the most important in the Senate. It cer- tainly is so at times when financial or tariff legislation is under consideration, but it has not heretofore been of the con tinuing importance as the Committee on Appropriations.
 Senator Allison, who is now chairman of the Appropriations Committee, has since Senator Sherman's retirement stood next to Senator Morrill, on the Finance Committee, and under the unwritten rules of the Senate he would succeed to the
The San Francisco call., 1898-12-29
INHUMAN CRUELTY ALLEGED.
Seeker for Divorce Files Sensational
 Complaint.

TACOMA. Dec. 2S. - Startling charges are made in the complaint in a suit for divorce filed here by Julia E. Rowe against Lucien E. Rowe. The couple were married at Centralia, this State, ten years ago. The wife makes allegations of fiendish cruelty and a willful course of neglect when she was i'll. She claims the defendant refused to provide for her, but when pressure was brought to bear by relatives he assumed a better attitude for while. The acme of cruelty was reached when. in May, 1895, according to the complaint, Rowe, for the purpose of frightening his wife, seized and held her on railroad track while a passen- ger train was rapidly approaching. The wife by desperate efforts and the use of extraordinary strength, 1t Is alleged, re- leased herself from her husbands grasp and jumped off the track just in time to save her life.
 Another demonstration of his cruelty took place in June, 1886, it is claimed, when the husband drew a pistol on her in pantry. When she reproved him he excused himself and his conduct by say ing he thought she was a burglar.
 The Rowes have lived on a farm, which, Mrs Rowe claims, was purchased with her money before their marriage. She asks for $500 temporary alimony and that Rowe be restrained from disposing of thls property.
The San Francisco call., 1898-12-29
HIS VICTIM ALMOST KILLED
FILLED WITH A BLOW FROM A
 SLUNGSHOT.
Police and Enraged Citizens Search ing the City, Intent on Wreak- ing Vengeance Upon
 the Culprit.
Special Dispatch to The Call.

SANTA ROSA. Dec. 28.-The police of this city, aided by enraged citizens, are out in body searching for the au- thor of what was the most daStardly assault ever made upon a woman in Santa Rosa This evening as Mrs. G. E. HoIlister, wife of the pastor of the First Adventist Church, was re- turning to her home on Upper Fourth street, she was attacked by a footpad and it was only by a narrow chance that she was not killed. The affair oc- cured just at the corner of Fourth street and Mcdonald the spot where the mysterious choker who operated here last winter attacked two we'll known young ladies. The place is dark and well suited to the perpetra- tion of a crime of this nature.
 Just as Mrs. Hollister passed into the shadow cast by a huge oak. tree the ruff1an stepped out from behind bill board and struck her behind the right ear with a heavy slungshot made from two cobbles tied in the corner of a large linen handkerchief.
 The blow almost severed the ear from the lady's head and cut her frightful- ly, but, strange to say, did not knock her senseless, as the villain must have intended Instead of falling prostrate she began to scream at the top of her voice. Henry Matthias, who lives next door, heard the cries for help and rushed out. He immediately gave chase to the thug, who had started to run up College avenue. Matthias was joined by other neighbors, but owing to the darkness the pursuit had to be abandoned. The police were notified and began a systematic search.
 The description given by Mrs. Hollis ter of her assailant is very meager, as she was too badly frightened to pay much attention to his appearance. Dr. Ross, who was called to attend the in- jured lady, says she had very nar- row escape. At present she is delirious and he fears the injury may prove very serious.
 It will go hard with the thug if he be caught tonight. In his haste he dropped his improvised weapon, which was found by the officers. This may lead to his detection, as the handker- chief is of a peculiar pattern.
The San Francisco call., 1898-12-29
SEVERAL PERSONS INJURED
ACCIDENT CAUSED BY SPREAD
 ING OF RAILS.
No One Killed-Eire Due to the Ex- plosion of Gas in the
 Composite
 Car.
Special Dispatch to The Call.

| TRINIDAD, Colo, Dec. 2S. - The Santa Fe eastbound California limited train, No. 4, was wrecked ten miles east of this city at o'clock this morn ing. The accident happened on curve and it is supposed to have been caused 1 by the spreading of the rails. The en- zine, one Pullman and the dining car passed over all right, the observation car, two drawing-room sleepers and composite car leaving the track. The 1 wreck immediately caught fire from an explosion of the gas in the com posite car, and the entire four cars were burned up.
 Those in the composite car are re- ported badly injured. NO one was killed
 The injured are:
 CONDUCTOR c. D. BOUCHER, Las Vegas, both hands and face badly burned by gas explosion.
 FRANK BOPE, brakeman Las Ve- gas, seriously burned about face and hands.
 c. c. FAIRBANKS, Pullman porter, Chicago, head cut and slightly burned on face.
 M D. BAER, news agent, Kansas City, bruised and hip slightly injured.
 CHARLES L. HEVEREN, New York City, slightly bruised on the head.
 A corpse which was en route for Philadelphia was cremated in the fire.
 Physicians from this city were i'm mediately taken to the scene of the wreck and cared for the injured peo- pie, after which they were taken to La Junta.
 The passengers in the first sleeping car and those connected with the din ing car service immediately set to work to rescue and make comfortable the passengers in the overturned and burning cars. The injured were all taken out through the windows and all were rescued alive, although Brakeman Frank Rope of Las Vegas was burned so badly and otherwise injured that his recovery is considered doubtful. Many heroic acts were performed in eXtricat- ing the passengers from their perilous positions. The composite car was en- Veloped in flames within a few minutes after it was overturned and had 1t not been for the timely assistance of the more fortunate passengers and a part of the train crew, many would have suffered an awful death.
 Charles l.. Heberen of the Hotel Nor mandie, New York, was rescued by his wife in a most heroic manner. Heberen had bad bruise over the right eye, also sustaining sprained thigh. He tainted and his wife tugged at him with all her might until she got him out of the window. MT. Heberen lost his overcoat, shoes and hat, and his wife, who worked so heroically to save his life, lost all her wraps in the fire
 Mrs. M. B. Rosenberger of Ontario, California, received a slight confusion of the right arm. She lost some money and also some jewelry in the fire. Mrs. Rosenberger was on sad mission to Philadelphia, accompanying the re- mains of her father for interment there. Her cup of sorrow now seems to be almost more than a human can bear, the body of her parent having been burned to crisp in the wreck.
 All the baggage on the train was lost, not a single piece having been saved from the composite car.
The San Francisco call., 1898-12-29
STORY OF LOVE AND MILLIONS
PROSPECTIVE GROOM TWENTY
 YEARS OF AGE.
Will Complete His Course at Harvard Before His Marriage to the California Heiress Is Sol
 emnized.
Special Dispatch to The Call.

EW YORK, Dec 2S.-Since Miss IN Virginia Fair, sister of Mrs. Her
 M man OelrichS, was introduced
 into New York society a few
 seasons ago gossips have been busy engaging her in marriage to this or that desirable party. Indeed, al- though her sister promptly denied the various reports they were so quickly supplemented by others setting out on their travels with merely new name attached to that of the young lady that when it was recently told over o'clock tea cups that Miss Fair was really en- gagged and to William K. Vanderbilt Jr. it hardly caused an incredulous Really" from those who had heard an oft-repeated. unfounded tale.
 For once, however, gossips were right. The young lady is to marry the eldest son of William K. Vanderbilt, and the . engagement was formally announced to-day. The news was not believed at first even in usually well-informed circles, but when it was confirmed at MT. and Mrs. Oelrichs' home the tidings flew like wildfire up and down Fifth avenue and good wishes began to pour in upon the young lady and hearty con- gratulations upon the young fellow who had won the hand of one of the wealthy and most popular society girls in New York.
 There was a certain satisfaction, too, in the knowledge that neither of them had gone abroad in making the choice for life. but would be identified with New York as their future home.
 While the fortune of Miss Fair is not to be mentioned-large as it is-in con- nection with the prospects of the future husband, it is still a great sum, as she inherited both from her father and mother a sum variously estimated, but presumed to be over $3,O0O0 900.
 What William K. Vanderbilt Jr. will inherit cannot be told His fathers fortune long since was said to be s75.- 100000, and it is well known that it has been increased more than once by millions-how many only MT. Wander bilt can say. Were he displeased with any match his son might make of course it would result in the latter re- ceiving less favorable consideration in his fathers will, but MT Vanderbilt pere is in entire accord with his sons marriage to this young lady.
 If proof of this were needed 1t is shown in the fact that MT. Vanderbilt already has arranged a small house party in honor of his son and Miss
The San Francisco call., 1898-12-29
SUGAR BEET SHORTAGE.
Market in Germany Stronger Than
 for Some Time.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 28.-A deficit in the German beet sugar crop of at least $50 900 tons is figured upon by United States Consul Dietrich, at Magdeburg. He says that the backward season re- suited in a small deficiency. A number of manufacturers sold fully one-half of their last years product at very low prices before they realized that there would be a shortage in material, and the end of November found number of factories closed on account of the diff culty in getting material.
 Ali the old stocks of sugar in Europe having run low. the market has been stronger for some time, with upward crop for the world accepted in Germany as accurate is 4,775.5S5 tons, Germany leading with 1, ,S47 ,018 tons, and Cuba being set down as producing 300 900 tons, against 2,537 ,571 tons in the previous season.
The San Francisco call., 1898-12-29

Fair, who will go with him to his country place at Islip, L. l., on Sunday to remain over Monday. MT. and Mrs. Clarence Mackay are to be of the party. Mrs. Mackay Is one of Miss Fairs most intimate friends.
 Neither Miss Fair nor her f1ance was at the opera tonight, but the en- gagement was the topic of conversa- tion between acts and every one had only the pleasantest words to say of this latest and most notable betrothal in New York society.
 Both in Newport and New York Miss Fair was an intimate friend of her fiance's sister, Consuelo, now Duchess of Marlborough, and was one of her girl friends included at the small we'd ding breakfast. Miss Fair has been abroad on one occasion with the Duchess mother.
 William Nissan Vanderbilt Jr. is younger than the Duchess of Marbor- ough by year or two, being about 20 years old.
 A Boston special to the Herald says: William K. Vanderbilt Jr. is a member of the second year in the Scientific School and will graduate in 1901. Judg- ing from the preparations he has made to enjoy life at Harvard he intends to finish his course. He has a very good standing in his classes and takes especial interest in geology He is very popular with his associates and during the past year has entertained quite extensively in the select circle of wealthy students. He is not interested in any athletics other than the game of golf. He is quite enthusiastic over this game, being a member of the Har- yard Golf Club, and has purchased a
The San Francisco call., 1898-12-29

solemnized here. He answered with out hesitation that it was not and that the wedding, should 1t occur at all would be celebrated in New York after MT. Vanderbilt left college. He spoke so emphatically in this regard as to convey the impression that he had been let into all the secret plans of the young people whose names are con- nected in the reported engagement.
 The estimated value of the Fair es- tate Is SIP 2000, 900, half in real and half personal property. The late Senator Fair in his last will left his entire es- tate in trust for his two daughters and his son, Charles Fair. During their lives they were each to receive a third of the income. Upon the death of either daughter fourth of the estate was to go to her children and after the death of both daughters half the estate was to go to the brothers and sisters of the late Senator Fair, or their heirs. Charles Fair was cut off with only a third of the income and neither he nor his heirs were to receive any of the principal of the estate. This was be- cause of his marriage, which his father opposed. Superior Judge Slack of this city in a decision declared the trust clause, in so far as it related to real estate, invalid, but the trustees of the will have appealed to the Supreme Court from this decision. The children of the late Senator are endeavoring to have the trust clause relating to the personal property also invalidated.
 Virginia Fair, on the death of her mother, received $1.5O0, 900. This, with her share of her fathers estate in trust makes her fortune about $5,OO0, ,OOO
 Miss Fair was educated in the con- vent of the Sisters of the Sacred Heart in this city. Her trusted friend during her school days was Vicar General Prendergast, and since her departure for the East he has kept in constant communication with her. She Is about 26 years of age
The San Francisco call., 1898-12-29
MAJOR GENERAL GREENE
 OUT OF THE ARMY
Resignation of the Officer Accepted With Regret by the War
 Department

WASHINGTON, Dec 28.-Major Gen eral Francis A. Greene arrived in Wash ington this morning from New York, and reported at once at the War Department to Secretary Alger. He came to resign his commission as an officer of the volun- teer army, preparatory to his return to private life.
 General Greene has been of exceptional service in the past war, being one Of the first officers of rank to take part in the campaign in the Philippines, and he per formed most effective work in Havana after the death of Colonel Waring in re- forming the sanitary conditions there and assisting the United States Evacua- ton Commission in effecting the change of property interests. It is with regret that the War Department accepts hs reSignatiOn.
The San Francisco call., 1898-12-29
CARLSON IN LUCK.
Former Mayor of San Diego Gets a
 Federal Position.

SAN DIEGO, Dec. 2S.-From a private letter just received here 1t is learned that the Secretary of the Treasury has re- gently appointed William H. Carlson, for merly Mayor of this city and a recent candidate for Congress in this district, who two years ago ran independently against W. w. Bowers for Congress in the Seventh District and thereby caused Bowers defeat. to an important Federal office, and he has entered upon his du- ties. Carlson is now chief of the new division of customs and affairs for Cuba, Porto Rico and the Philippines, which di- vision was created on December 13 He will have force of thirty or forty clerks under his control
The San Francisco call., 1898-12-29
ROB V. ROBERTSON
 DIES AT PLACERVILLE
Talented Young Editor of the Nugget
 Summoned in the Spring of His Existence.

PLACERVILLE, Dec. 2S.-Rob V. Rob- ertson, editor and founder of the Placer vile Daily Nugget, after a long illness, died in this city shortly before 10 o'clock this morning.
 MT. Robertson was one of the best known of the younger journalists of the Pacific Coast. He came to this State in 1894 from Chicago, Ill.,, where he had oc- cupied important positions on daily jour nals. After a time spent on the staff of the San Francisco Call and Woodland Daily Reporter, he came to Placerville in February, 1896, and established the Daily Nugget. A young widow survives him. He was a native of Edingborough, Scotland, and was aged 31 years.
The San Francisco call., 1898-12-29
Mourning in W oodland.

WOODLAND, Dec. 2S.-Robert Fulton Hester, an old and prominent resident of Yolo County, died in Woodland this morn- Ing. after an illness of ten days. He was a native of Arkansas and 65 years of age. He came to California in 1853, and to Yolo County in 1857. He served one term as City Trustee, three terms as Supervisor and one term as County Recorder. At the close of his last term in office he was, if possible, more popular than when first a candidate. During all his public and blemished reputation, and died honored and respected by every citizen of the county.
The San Francisco call., 1898-12-29
ARMY SANITARIUM
 AT A JAPANESE PORT
Surgeon General Sternberg Favors the Establishment of One at
 Nagasaki.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 2S.-The Secretary of War has received a recommendation from Surgeon General Sternberg for the establishment of an army sanitarium at Nagasak, Japan, for the use of the United States troops at Manila The rec ommendation has not yet been approved but it is looked upon with much favor owing to the desirability of having such a santarium well away from the Philip pines and from any possible epidemics which may arise there. It would re- quire the consent of the Japanese Gov ernment, but little doubt exists that this would be given.
The San Francisco call., 1898-12-29
HAS BEEN GRADUALLY
 TURNING TO BONE
ossifcation Causes the Death of an Old Soldier in a Salinas
 Hospital:

SALINAS, Dec. 2S.-John Handy, alias Sailor Jack" one of the most noted characters of Monterey County, died at the County Hospital this afternoon of angina pectoris. He was admitted to the hospital eleven years ago for rheumatism and about six years ago became bedrid- den. He never left his bed since, and gradually became ossified, weighing at the time of his death over 3S0 pounds
 The deceased, who was a veteran of the Civil War, having served in Company c, Eighth California Infantry resided in this county twenty-eight years. He was born in England 6S years ago, and leaves no relatives He will be buried by the local Grand Army Post, of which he was q member,
The San Francisco call., 1898-12-29
GIRL BURNED TO DEATH.
Horrible Fate of an Inmate of the
 Whittier Reform School.

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 2S.-It has just been learned here that on Friday morn ing last young girl inmate of the Whit tier Reform School named Lydia Brown was burned to death She was at work near a range in the kitchen and her cloth ing caught fire. She rushed out of doors and was burned so badly before her The remains were buried in the cemetery at Whittier. Her father was an inmate of the Soldiers Home at Santa Monica. but has left on furlough.
The San Francisco call., 1898-12-29
Bullet Ends His Life.

JACKSON, Dec. 2S.-A man named Le- ferre. employed as cook at the Louvre restaurant, shot himself in the breast last night with a pistol inf1icting a mortal wound. He died this morning. Reports conflict as to whether the shooting was intentional or accidental.