The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1898-07-16
COACHMAN ENDS HIS
LIFE IN A STABLE
o. ROBERTSON rs FOUND DEAD
ON THE MEEK RANCH.
Was Hanging From a Rafter-No
Reason Can Be Given for His
Desire to Suicide.
Oakland Office San Francisco Call,

o. Robertson, coachman for Harry
Meek at San Lorenzo, committed suicide
last night by hanging himself in the har-
ness room on the Meek ranch
Last evening the Chinese cook passed
the stable and saw a buggy standing on
the wash rack. This morning he noticed
that the buggy was still in the same posi-
ton and had not been washed, and he
looked around for the coachman. He
opened the door and saw Robertson
hanging from large hook in the wall.
The coachman was dead, and after bring
ing few other employees TO the stable
the Chinaman cut the body down and 1t
was taken to the branch morgue.
Robertson is q perfect stranger to overv
ore on the ranch. He was engaged about
SIX SIX weeks !, ago through the agency OF an
came from the East and told some of the
men that he was quite satisfied with his
position. He did not drink and seemed II
be in good spirits last night No cause
can be given for his suicide, except that
at times he had acted in an absent-mind-
ed manner.
Deceased was a native of Sweden and
was about ~ years of age. 50 far as can
be learned he was unmarried.
Woodward With a Deciding Vote.
OAKLAND. July 15.-The result of the
proposed ordinance reducing the liquor
license from 500 to $50 per quarter is not
assured by the committee S favorable
recommendation. The men counted on to
favor the measure are Councilmen Henne-
berry, Earl, Watkinson, Brosnahan and
Heitman. Councilmen Upton, Rowe. Gu
WELLER, Girard and Pringle are counted on
to oppose the measure. This leaves
Councilman Woodward with the deciding
vote. When asked to-day he replied that
he was open to argument, but thought
it best to let good enough alone He felt
that his attempt to reduce the license
would act as boomerang upon the sa-
loon men.
Cigarettes More Fatal Than Whisky.
OAKLAND, July 15.-'I believe that
cigarettes are killing more men to-day
than whisky" was the astonishing re-
mark made by Councilman Henneberry
last evening when his ordinance. to pro-
hibit the sale or giving away of cigar
cites to minors or the smoking of the
public places was being considered by the
Ordinance and Judiciary Committee.
They are responsible for the rejectment
of so many of our boys" he continued,
who apply for admission to the army.
I believe that 1t is an evil that should
be suppressed" The rest of the commit
tee agreed with him and the ordinance
was recommended for passage.
Alameda Will Pay Her Share.
OAKLAND, July 15.-The Board of SUI
pervisors were notified tonight that the
city of Alameda would pay the necessary
expenses OF approaches to the Alice
street bridge provided the board would
make 1t passable during the construction
Of the new Webster-street bridge. A con-
ference was held this morning at which
there were present Trustees Shuttle and
Brick and City Clerk Lamborn Of Alamo
da; President Hoffman and Councilman
Cuvellier of Oakland: James P. Taylor.
Frank K. Mott and Edison F. Adams of
the Board of Trade, and George w. Arper
Of the Merchants Exchange.
J. c. Martins Estate Appraised.
OAKLAND, July l5.-The estate of the
late ]. G. Martin has been appraised at
q l1~ s4,1 J. 1C
ssts of improved and unimproved real
estate. There is a $4,000 life insurance
policy and s18,o66 = in the bank. The
valued at SIG 600. The business block at
Thirteenth and Washington streets was
listed for $4,000.
May Go to Mills College.
OAKLAND, July 15.-J. J. Hurt does
not believe that his children should be
left at the Chabot Home and to-day took
conference with interested parties all
agreed to recommend to the Superior
Court that they be taken to Mills College
and left in the custody of Mrs. G. r
Mills, with permission for their mother to
visit them.
Would Limit the Number of Saloons.
OAKLAND, July 15.-Councilman Hen
neberrys ordinance, reducing the liquor
license to $50 per quarter from 500, was
recommended for passage to the City
Council by it's Ordinance and Judiciary
Committee last evening.
Councilman Earl secured the adoption
of an amendment prohibiting the licensing
of more than 2l5 saloons in this city az
any one time.
Kinard Pleads Not Guilty.
OAKLAND, July 15-C. E. Kinard,
charged with ENLIGHTENMENT, waived the
reading of the complaint in the Police
Court to-day and pleaded not guilty. He
asked to be tried by the court at an early
day and was accommodated by having
July 20 set for his trial