davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The San Francisco call., 1898-06-12
THE CITY SUED.
Cohen Family Wants Pay. for Trees Gut Down by Order of the
 Citv Tr11 steeS

ALAMEDA, June 11.--Donald G.. Cohen, for himself and as assignee of the other Cohen heirs, has sued the city of Ala meda for $1590, the alleged value of BIS cords of wood, and $500 for compensation to himself in looking after the same wood.
 Eight or nine years ago 1t was dscov- cred that the eucalyptus trees which were then plentiful in this city were becoming a great nuisance, and the Trustees, in response to public demand, passed an or dinance that whenever the majority of property owners on any street along which such trees were planted peNtioned to have them removed 1t should be done. About year ago the Trustees, under this ordinance, directed the removal of some trees on Lincoln avenue and Pearl street, bordering on the Cohen property. The Cohens refused to cut the trees down, and took the matter to the Superior Court. The ordinance was declared valid and then the Cohens were again notified so, after due time had elapsed, the Street Superintendent employed men and had them cut down. While this was being done Donald Cohen assaulted one of the men and was arrested for 1t. He then carried off all the wood that he could, and the remainder was stored in the cor poration yard.
 There were seventy-flve cords of 1t, and 1t was put up at auction yesterday, after or about 75 cents a cord. Now the Cohens want the city to pay them s a cord for the SIS cords, though the authorities had no such amount
The San Francisco call., 1898-06-12
Status of the Trial Jury.
Reading for the Soldiers.

'to be destroyed by driving through the same the faucet through which the liquor is to be withdrawn. air faucet of equal size, at the time the vessel is tapped in the yes sel is tapped through the other spggot hole (of which there shall be but two, one in the head and one In the side).
 The mixing of spirits, not of the same make, kind, quality and proof, which differ in age exceeding one year, or the addition of any col bring matter or foreign substance thereto or the mixing of wines different in kind and in- compatible with each other, is regarded as rec tihcation, and the dealer who performs such acts is liable to the special tax as rectiher.
 Whenever any stamped box containing ci- gars cheroots or cigarettes Is emptied, 1t is the duty of the person in whose hands the same Is to destroy the stamps thereon The term destruction must be understood to mean to completely obliterate same from box by using some sharp instrument on all sides
 Every person engaged in any business liable to a special tax shall place and keep con spicuously. in his establishment or place of business. all stamps denoting the payment of said special tax; and any person who shall through negligence fail to so place and keep said stamps shall be liable to a penalty equal to the special tax for which his business ren- dered him liable and the costs Of prosecution
The San Francisco call., 1898-06-12
LIQUOR DEALERS
 MUST BE CAREFUL
CIRCULAR OF INSTRUCTIONS
 FOR THEIR GUIDANCE.
Internal Revenue Collector Lynch Warns Them to Beware of Vio-
 lating the Revenue Laws.

Internal Revenue Collector Lynch has issued circular warning liquor dealers against even inadvertently violating the revenue laws The following is the cir cular:
 Retail liquor dealers are only authorized to wines and malt liquors, in quantities less than five gallons, and re-inspection or stamping of the package of spirits so sold by them is required.
 The spirits which they purchase in packages of five or more wine gallons must be property the original casks packages until drawn off for sale in retail packages.
 There being no provision for stamping spirits on the premises of retail liquor dealers. they are not authorized to reduce the proof of spir- it's in packages of five gallons or more by the addition of water or otherwise.
 The restoring of spirits to their original proof must be performed on the premises of whole sale liquor dealer.
 A change of package of spirits to prevent leakage or for other cause. can be made by a retail liquor dealer, in such manner as to protect the spirits from detention or leakage taining less than five wine gallons each.
 retail liquor dealer cannot legally sell sev- eral packages of the same kind of spirits, wines beer at the same time, each containing less than five gallons but which contain in the ag gregate more than five gallons.
 Every person who empties or draws off, or causes to be emptied or drawn off, any dis titled spirits, either foreign or domestic, from any cask or package bearing any mark. brand stamp required by law, must, at the time of emptying such cask package efface and obliterate such mark, brand stamp: and any person failing to do so is liable to fine and im- prisonment. The term 'efface and obliterate' must be understood to mean such destruction of the stamps, marks and brands as to leave no part of the same legible or intelligbe.
 Every retail liquor dealer other person who withdraws Or aids in the withdrawal of any fermented liquor from any hogshead. bar rel keg other vessel containing the same without destroying defacing the stamp thereon, withdraws aids in the with drawal of any fermented liquor from any such package upon which the proper stamp has not been affixed, or on which false or fraudulent stamp has been affixed, is liable to "a fine of hundred dollars and to imprisonment for not more than year." The stamps are
The San Francisco call., 1898-06-12
COULD FIND
 NO VERDICT Jury in the Elliott Case Out All Night.
THE LAW GAVE LITTLE HELP
RESPONSIBILITY FOR STRIKES
 IS NOT ESTABLISHED.
The Suit Will Most Likely Be Tried Again, but Jury Will Prob ably Not Be
 Needed.
Oakland Office San Francisco Call
 90S RroadUay T,,~o il

sos Broadway, June Il.
 After being out sixteen hours the fury fin the case of Samuel W. Elliott against the Southern Pacific Company was un- able to reach a verdict and was this morning discharged by Judge Greene. The jury had less legal material upon which to form judgment than any other railroad case ever tried in this county.
 Late last night the jury was sent for by the court, but as it was unable to arrive at any decision it was locked up until this morning. When court convened Judge Greene again sent for the jurors, and as they were all convinced that they could not arrive at a unanimous decision they were discharged
 In the instructions to the jury and in the closing arguments of counsel nothing was brought out that could throw much light on the purely legal aspect of the case. No precedent could be found for 1t, and consequently a new principle will have to be laid down for its decision, should the case be tried again.
 Elliott sued for damages for being thrown off the train by a conductor. It was not denied by the company that FL liott was put off the train with necessary force, but it was alleged by the defend ant that Elliott's ticket had expired and that he was given every opportunity to get off peaceably before being assisted by the conductor. Elliott's ticket expired as to it's time limit during the great strike of 1894. His counsel conUended that as the ticket entitled the holder to a ride to the point for which it was issued Elliott was entitled to the ride, although the time named on the ticket had passed
 It was shown by the railroad company that Elliott had not taken the first op- portunity offered to ride from Oakland to Pleasanton, but that he waited a full month before presenting his ticket. They also showed that on account of the strike a certain extension of time was granted holders of limited tickets. This conces- sion was taken hold of by the plaintiff
The San Francisco call., 1898-06-12
COW ARD SENT
 TO STOCKTON His Mind Deranged With Religious Subjects.
OPPOSED TO CORPORATIONS
WAS A MEMBER OF ANTI-FUND.
 ING COMMITTEE.
Went Insane Suddenly as He Was Crossing the Bay With His Wife and Friends on
 the Ferry.
Oakland Office San Francisco Call,


 90S Broadway, June Il. William P. Coward, the San Francisco merchant, who became suddenly insane last night while crossing the bay, was committed to Stockton to-day This Is the second time he has been sent to a State hospital.
 The examination of MT. Coward shows that his mind is considerably disturbed over religion and also corporations. He was one of the committee of fifty that worked so energetically in San Francisco about year ago to secure the defeat of the funding bill. He told the doctors to- day that he would like to solve several religious problems and also spoke at great length of the oppression of corpor- violence which overlook him last night had disappeared by the time he was brought to the Receiving Hospital, and he was quite calm, but the doctors had no difficulty in arriving at the conclusion that he was insane.
 MT. Coward is a partner in the firm of Center & Spader of Il Montgomery street San Francisco, and has been in business for many years Last night he left San Francisco for his Oakland home, having for companions his wife, Congressman Caminetti and H. P. Draper, a nephew. At Thirteenth street and Broadway, MT. Coward, who had been very noisy on the boat and train, ordered all his friends, except his wife, to leave the car, and WlIn her ne rOOe 10 hayWarQS. The matter was reported to the County Jail and constables were sent out to arrest him, as it was feared he might harm his wife.
 At Stones ranch, between San Leandro and Haywards Coward and his wife left the car, but later they journeyed on till they reached the end of the line, which is the Clubhouse at Haywards. About mid night he was placed under arrest and brought in to the Receiving Hospital. About eight months ago MT. Coward s mind first gave way. On that occasion he left his home and wandered about aim-
The San Francisco call., 1898-06-12
SHAM BATTLE
 ON THE FOURTH Oakland Will Celebrate
 as Never Before.
BOARD OF TRADE WORKING
MAYOR THOMAS FAvORS THE
 MILITARY IDEA.
Chief of Police Fletcher Gives Some Good Reasons Why All the Nation Should
 Rejoice.
Oakland Office San Francisco Call,
 a0S Broadway June II.


 90S Broadway, June Il. Efforts are being made by the Oakland Board of Trade to have a sham battle in this city on the Fourth of July. During the past week public sentiment has been canvassed, and there is decided desire to have a proper celebration of the na- tional holiday. This morning the Board of Trade held a special meeting and de- cided to take the preliminary steps to have a military display on Adams Point. A committee was appointed to confer with the authorities on the other side of the bay for the purpose of arranging to and fight a sham battle for the edifica- tion of Alameda County. Should the re- quest be granted Oakland will give the soldiers a rousing reception and will banquet them in regal style.
 It is not yet certain that there will not be a great parade on the Fourth, but the Board of Trade believes that with SC much military enthusiasm among the peo- pie it will be more appropriate and more in keeping with current events to have a purely military display.
 Mayor Thomas favors the idea, and is very emphatic in his opinion that ther- should be big celebration of some kind If ever there was time" said the Mayor to-day, when the Fourth of July should be fittingly observed, it is surely now, To my mind, the Fourth succeed house was not more worthy of celebra- tion than the coming national birthday I would like to see all the display possl- ble, and I am sure that every citizen must feel as I do. The idea of bringing troops over is a good one, and if our local companies should also engage in any display that may be decided upon, it would add greatly to the general inter est.'
 Chief of Police Fletcher is very en- thusastic on the subject. He believes that nearly all the population of the county could be gathered in Oakland this
The San Francisco call., 1898-06-12

was a supernumerary, and to him fell the role of the player who pours the deadly fluid in the ear of the King, who was to his brother as Hyperion to a satyr. The following story is told by KiernS and cor roborated by Clement
 It was in the scene where the King and Queen are sitting on the throne awaiting the entertainment of the players fur nished by Hamlet for the purpose of catching the conscience of the King. Everything had progressed without hitch or delay, the sleeping King of the show within show was resting peacefully, when Kierns received the cue to do his deadly work. Standing in the wings he grabbed the phial supposed to contain the poison from the property clerk and rush ed on the stage. Over the reclining body he began his speech, Thoughts black hands apt, drugs fit and time agreeing" and then removing the stopper from the bottle all colored with black he tilted the contents into the ear of the sleeper. To his horror he discovered that instead of painted bottle this one really contained ink. With jump and a howl the sleep ing player cleared the improvsed stage and stood in the center of the group of characters dumfounded, a stream of black coursing down his face. Hamlet S uncle, a portly man, sitting upon the throne could not restrain himself and shook with laughter. An economy of size had been observed in the construc- tion of the throne and there was just room enough on it with crowding for the chair of the King and Queen. The vibra- tions of laughter caused by the Kings merriment loosened his chair and over it went. Attempting to save himself the King laid hold of the Queens chair and that went, too. For few minutes every thing was in dire confusion. Kierns real ized that his cue was to put distance between himself and Clement This he did by finding an obscure place in the flies" from which he did not descend until after the performance. Since that time Clement and Hamlet have been di- vorced.
 B. F. Booze, railroad man of James, town, is stopping at the Grand.
 H. C. Nash, librarian of the Stanford University is at the California
 John Bruner of Sacramento is in this city to undergo slight operation.
 F. c. Billiard of the United States rev enue cutter service is at the California.
 w. H. Steiger and L. R. Sargent, U. s. N, arrived last night from the East and will remain at the Palace while in this city.
 William MI. 6aHh, tHc Wcil-hlOWIl railroad man, left this city yesterday on the St. Paul bound for Alaska. in which country he will try to build fortune by gold digging.
 Morton Todd of Newcastle on the Tyne Is stopping at the Occidental He will remain in this city for some time. MT. Todd represents a large English canning syndicate, and an agency will be estab- lished here in California.
The San Francisco call., 1898-06-12
Park Music To-Day.

To-day the park band will render the following patriotic programme in honor of June r, Bunker Hill day:
 March. "State Militia Review" Koppitz Overture, "Robespierre'' Introducing the ''Marseillalse'') ....................... i,itoIf Descriptive march, ''The Rolling Drums'' .Asch Baritone solo, Katy Darling" with varia-
 L. KIotz.
 Selection, ''Huguenots'' Meverbeer Grand Military Tattoo" ".................Z Zaro The celebrated patriotic song, ''The Sword
 of Bunker Hil' '...................... .Colvert
 Solo for trombone and eornet American Battle Scene (patrfotio) . Tobant Battle hymn, Remember the Maine'' ..
 ..........-....-.......Iv Ivy Wandesforde Kersey March. "Dewey's Victory. ...........J Donigan (Composed and dedicated to Admiral Dewey
 by J. Donigan of the Park Band)
The San Francisco call., 1898-06-12
Lick-WiImerding Club.

The Wilmerding Improvement Club, which holds it's meetings at the Lick schoolhouse, is determined to better the condition of the streets of that sec. tion of the city. As it now is the streets on the slope of the hill south of the rail- road sheds have never been improved They are in the same condition now as when old Butchertown occupied the site at the foot of Ninth street It Is to im- prove this locality that this club is now engaged, together with advancing the streets further south on to the base of Southern Heights and filling in the many declivities. Sewering is one of the neces- streets, all of which the club is contend ing for.
The San Francisco call., 1898-06-12
RerkeIev News Notes.

BERKELEY, June 1.-The Berkeley branch of the Red Cross Society will hold a mass meeting tomorrow afternoon in the West Berkeley Methodist church at 4 o'clock Addresses wlll be made by Rev. George B. Hatch and Mrs. c. R. Greenleaf.
 Dr. Frank Howard Payne, medical ex- University of California, left to-day for the East. He will spend most of his time in the hospitals of Chicago and New York.
 Harry B. Torrey has been appointed cor responding secretary for the Berkeley branch of the Red Cross Society, in place of pr. Charles A. Noble, resigned.
The San Francisco call., 1898-06-12

Fourth of July if a proper observance of the day be arranged. "Of all years,'' said he. 'this is the one to celebrate. 1t is not only right to make demonstra- ton to celebrate the victory of American arms abroad. but with the eyes of the world upon us, 1t Is a good time to let differ politically, we are a unit as a na- tion and can rejoice in harmony. I be- lieve that if there should be any falling off in the observance of this Fourth Of July European nations would con- strue it as indicating a lack of unanimity regarding the present war. There is enough patriotism in Oakland to turn the whole county upside down, and it should feel like letting off firecrackers all day long myself And as nearly all Oakland feels the same way, there is no doubt but there will be noisy time on the Fourth
The San Francisco call., 1898-06-12

to show that the ticket. being a contract. If the railroad company could extend the time beyond that for which it was issued the inference would be that Elliott would be at liberty to still further extend the time to suit convenience.
 The case was bitterly fought between Attorney A. A. Moore representing the railroad company. and Attorney Leszin- sky of San Francisco, representing the plaintiff. During the closing argument MT. Moore made some bitter personal re- marks regarding opposing counsel which MT: Lesznsky at once branded as lies, and the court reprimanded MT. Moore. The case will probably be tried again.
 Leszinsky offered to submit the case on new trial to Judge Greene on the evi- dence before the jury and take his deci- to consider that proposition.
The San Francisco call., 1898-06-12
ITS FACILITIES FOR
 MOVING FREIGHT
SOUTHERN PACIFIC CARS
 SCHEDULED.
Resumption of the Inquiry Why Rates Should Not Be Reduced.
 The Company's Books.

The taking of testimony in the suit of the Southern Pacific Company to restrain the Board of Railroad Commissioners from reducing the rates of freight on that company's lines was resumed yesterday afternoon before United States Commis- sioner Heacock.
 Messrs. Herrin and Garber were pres ent for the company, and Attorney-Gen- eral Fitzgerald represented the Commits sioners. Commissioner Hinton was In at tendance as looker-on.
 The two hours session was spent in the examination of B. w. Chapn, clerk of the Motive Power and Machine Depart ment, who had brought his books along. The questions asked by MT. Herrin were as to the rolling stock owned by the rail- road corporation. The number of each car was read by the witness, and in conse- quence the two hours did not yield much matter.
 The witness read from the books show Pacific Railroad owned the following number of cars of the kinds specified Baggage, mail and express cars......... B combination passenger and baggage cars as as F1rst-class passenger cars. rs..................16 160 Second-class passenger cars.>.............. 3s First-class sleeping ars..................... IS Iourlst sIeeplng 2l Business cars 10
 -
 
 The following were the number of cars of the California and Pacific Railroad Company:
 Baggage. mail and express cars..... 4 First-class passenger cars. ars................... P lOta I5 The number Of cars owned by the Southern Pacific Railroad Company of California at the same date was: Baggage, mail and express cars...... 52 1OStdl cars Combination passenger and baggage cars 16 In addition there are on the San Bernardino and Redlands Narrow Gauge Road ...... ? First class passenger cars s.................16 163 Narrow gauge passenger cars on San Ser nardino and Redlands line ine............... 1 Second class passenger cars................... 26 Composite baggage smoker, buffet, etc...... 1 Compartment cars recommendations. First class sleepers 53 Total .......................... .sis An adjournment was then had until 2 O clock Monday afternoon.
The San Francisco call., 1898-06-12
MAY PREACH IN HAWAII. Rev. J. A. Cruzan Receives Call
 From the Sandwich Islands.

BERKELEY, June u.-Rev J. A. Cru gan, pastor of the North Berkeley Con- gregational Church. has received a call from the church of Hilo in the Sandwich islands.
 MT Cruzan has just returned from a trip to Honolulu, and his call to take a pastorate in the islands comes as result of that visit. The congregation of the church at Hilo extended him unanimous call, and now await his decision It is understood that his present congregation is very unwilling that he should leave Berkeley. He will make his decision known before next Sunday.
The San Francisco call., 1898-06-12
Answer of the Railroad Commission.

The action of the Southern Pacific Com pany against John R. Robinson and the Board of Railroad Commissioners, in which the railroad seeks to restrain the . Railroad Commission from proceeding further in the investigation of matters relating to the road under the Robinson complaint, has been set for Monday next before Judge Bahrs. An answer as we'll as demurrer has been filed by Attorney Monteith, representing the defendants, to the writ of prohibition issued a short time ago by Judge Belcher. The defend dants claim that the court issuing the alternative writ did so without juris- diction or authoritv to do so
The San Francisco call., 1898-06-12
New Loring Club Officers.

At the annual meeting of the Loring Club the following officers were elected for the ensuing year: L. s. Sherman, president; Winfield s. Jones. first vice president; B. Romaine, second vice-presi- dent; w. c. Stadtfeld, secretary; w A. Murison, treasurer; Ed c. Boyson. libra rian; David W. Wise, assistant librarian; director, D. w. Loring: advisory board William Alvord, James D. Phelan, Mrs. William Alvord, Mrs. l.. l.. Baker, E. H. Sheldon; music committee--B. G. Somers, voice committee-J. F. Ritter, J. J. Nach- trieb, Benjamin Franklin, w. F. Hooke. Resolutions were passed thanking D. P. Hughes for his services as director Loring.
The San Francisco call., 1898-06-12
LEFT ALL TO HIS DAUGHTER.
A Large Fortune Left by Joseph
 Bassi Goes to Mrs. Emilia Si iCreSS

OAKLAND, June 1.-The will of the late Joseph Bassi was filed for probate this afternoon by George Roeth and A. P. Sartori, who are named in it as exec utors without bonds. The deceased died May 18th. His will bears date of Febru- ary 5, 1895
 The estate is valued at $50 800. and con sists of real estate and personal property in about equal proportions. His brother is left $2000, and each of the nieces and nephews is remembered in the aggregate amount of 5000.
 The balance of the estate, real and per Emilia Bassi Sigress. Her husband is a popular employe of the Telegraph electric line. The home place, situated at Temescal is in good repair, and occupies a very picturesque location. The de- ceased's wife recently died, hence the daughter secures it all.
The San Francisco call., 1898-06-12
COLLECTED TN
 THE CORRIDORS.

Leopold Moss has arrived from skag- uay.
 c. P. Grimwood and wife are at the Palace
 Lyle M. Fletcher is registered at the Oc- cidental.
 Edward Peterson of New York is at the Baldwin.
 D. J.. Walters of Honolulu is stopping at the California
 James A. Mead of Healdsburg is stop ping at the Russ.
 Ex-Assemblyman E. A. Pueschel of Kern County is in the city.
 F. S. Wensinger of Freestone ard wife are at the Occidental.
 Charles Thackeray. prominent as an en- gineer is at the Russ.
 General c. w. Cadwallader of Red Bluff Is guest at the Grand.
 H. c. Booth, the attorney, of Santa Barbara, Is at the Grand.
 MT. and Mrs. J. B. Castle of Honolu,u are stopping at the Occidental.