davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1898-09-15
HANDWRITING
Is EXPORTED
kytko's Opinion of Mrs. Bot
KIDS Chirogropby, Based
on Comparison.

". n. Heynemann, stenographer of thu
romeo department, being shown the orig
1nal statement of Mrs Botkin. made to
Chlef Lees, recognizes the signature as
being In her handwriting, it having been
written In his presence.
Theodore Kytka the handwriting ev.
pert and document photographer. testL
fies that he has carefully examined the
original writings of the letters and en-
velopes addressed to Mrs. Price, and the
address, Mrs. w. A. Botkin. '' HeaI tne
burg, Cal, care NJ. C. Mcclure" and rep
resented to be the handwriting of Mrs.
Botkin. He has compared these writings
as exemplars with the original letters and
envelopes addressed TO Mrs. ]. P. Dun
ming, Dover. one dated June IT. 1897, and
the other July 10, 1887, and also with the
original writing on the purported wrapper
of the candy box, and the original writ
ing on the note in the box. Mr.. Kytka
expresses the opinion that all of the
handwriting above referred to, including
that in the letters and on the envelopes,
wrapper and note, are In the handwriting
of the same person who wrote the letter
and envelope inclosing the same to Mrs.
Price.
Mr.. Kytka has also examined the orig
inal writing of Mrs. Botkin on her state
ment made to Chief Lees, and the writing
8. H. Heynemann, New City Hall. San
Francisco, California" consisting OF the
ssePIta,l. letter IN. m" the words MI Ca
these writings as exemplars with the,
writing of the letter and envelope ADJ
dressed to Mrs. Price, with the writing
containing the address, Mrs. w. A. Bot
kim Healdsburg, California, care M. c.
Mcclure" and with the original letters
and envelopes addressed to Mrs. J. P.
Cumming, Dover. Delaware" the writing
on the candy box wrapper and the note.
and also the writing in the body, exclu-a
sive of the stub in the three orders for
the change of address, and he is of the
opinion that all of the handwriting above
referred to is in the handwriting of the
same person who wrote the signature,
Mrs. Cordelia Botkin to the statement
made nv Mrs Rotlxfo to Chief Lees
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1898-09-15
POSTAL MEN
TRACE THE BOX
Follow 1t on It's FutefuI
Course From This City -,
to Dover. SO

Among the dispositions taken here are
those of James w. Erwin, United States
Postoffice Inspector; John D. Dunnigan, a
mailing clerk, and Oscar A. Forster, a
letter carrier. The latter knew Mrs. Bot
kin, having handled her mail while she
resided at Victoria Hotel. He identifies
certain orders regarding change of adj
dress as having been received by him
from Mrs. Botkin IN person.
Mr.. Erwin traced the fateful box Of
bonbons from the time they left this city
on August 4 until they were delivered to
Mrs Dunning in Dover on August g. The
times of their arrival at the principal
points en- route were all carefully noted
to the minute. He Identifies the cancel
ing mark on the package as having been
made at Station D, in this city.
Mailing Clerk Dunnigan tells of hand
ling package addressed to John P. Dun
ming in August. He noted it at the time,
owing to the similarity of the latter name.
to his own.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1898-09-15
HANDKERCHIEF
IS IDENTIFIED
Mrs. Harris Recognizes 1t by
the Price Mark, Texture
and Pattern.

Mrs. Grace Harris, employed at the
handkerchief counter in the City of Paris,
testifies that the linen handkerchief is Of
the kind carried in stock by the COM
pany. The handkerchiefs sold at the City
of Paris had upon them price marks and
figures identical to those upon the hand.
kerchief shown to the witness, who
printed them from rubber type stamp
In November and December, 1897 she oc-
cupied her spare time in price-marking
the handkerchiefs, and from that time
until the present all handkerchiefs sold in
that store have those price marks. The
handkerchief shown to the witness is of
the same grade that has been sold all Of
the time mentioned for 25 cents. She
Identifies the handkerchief in addition to
tern.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1898-09-15
CUMMINGS NOTES
TO MRS. BOTKIN
Chief Lees Incorporates My
Dear Ada" Letters With
His Deposition.

The my Dear Ada" letters written by
John P. Dunning to Mrs. Botkin while
he was at the seat Of war. are incorpora-
ted In the deposition of Chief of Police
l. w. Lees. In the deposition Chief Lees
gives list of all the evidence which has
come into his possession.
The Dunning letters were found in Mrs
Botkin's trunk. The letters follow:
KEY WEST Fla. April IA. 1898
My Dear Ada: l suppose you have Judged
by the papers that l have left Havana we
had to get out. arrived here three days ago
The town Is full of correspondents and naval
don't see how war can be avoided now, and
all that Is worrying me is how I going to
see it. am doing my best to get on the flag
ship New York, but 1t looks If the Navy
Department would not allow any to accom-
pany the fleet when 1t leaves here. 1t has been
my ambition for years to be on man-of-war
IN action and am willing to risk everything
to get there this time. So far as the -
Spantards are concerned don't think 1t will
take US long to settle them. L hope you have
sent me letter addressed to Key West. If
any OF your recent letters have gone to Ha-
vana don't know when will get them. You
had better send everything to the Hotel Key
give orders about having mail forwarded. This
Is going to be a very short letter, but 1t is the
best can do now and 1t Is sent to let you
know am alive and well and want to- hear
from you, and hope with all my heart that
everything Is well with you. az"
PORT ANTONIO jamaica. May 30, 1898.
Dear Ada: have been the high seas in
tugboat chasing Spaniards and American
fleets for ten days past, having left Key West
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1898-09-15
MRS. BOTKIN'S
STATEMENT
The Story Told Chief Lees by
the PrisoDer at the Time
of Her Arrest.

In the affidavits Of Chief Lees IS incor-
porated the statement made to him by
Mrs. Botkin, in which she detailed her
movements at about the time the poisoned
candy was sent from this city up to the
time Of her arrest. The statement of the
prisoner is as follows:
/ left San Francisco on the evening Of the
27th OF July by boat for Stockton and arrived
the next morning early, July 2s ! remained
in Stockton until the 3oth of July. having had
doctor attending me all the time / was
boat. TO Chief Lees): You can get the doc
tors address in Stockton. arrived here in
After arrived here 1 called in DR.. Tyrreli and
was sick Sunday and Monday. l was, Ill on
the 3lst OF July and on the LIST and I'd OF Au-
gust Monday and Tuesday, respectively. On
Tuesday, August 2 packed up at the Hotel
Victoria and PLACED u my things in the lerge
rested in the forenoon and in the afternoon
visited friend. Mrs. Carter. at the Went
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1898-09-15
DUNNlNG KNOWS
HER HANDWRITING
Detective McVey Tells Of an
IDtervieW With Him on
the Subject.

Detective Bernard J. Mcvey, who came
from Delaware as the representative of
that State to take Mrs. Botkin back, if
the request for extradition be granted.
tells of Cummings Identification of Mrs
Botkin's handwriting. The salient points
of his affidavit follow:
On Monday, the 23d day of August, 1893. 7
received at the town of Dover from Hon. John
B. Pennington, father of Mrs. Elizabeth Dun
ming deceased, a package containing a box
inclosing chocolate candies. handkerchief and
the wrapper. / also received from the Hon r
c. White Attorney General of the State of
Delaware, a note and the writing known as
the anonymous letter and envelope inclosing
the same.
The box and candy and contents were repre-
scented to me by Mr.. Pennington as being the
box and contents received by Mrs. Dunning
through the mail at Dover, Delaware on the
9Th day of August, 1885, and the wrapper was
also represented to me as being the wrapper
containing the stamps and postmark which
surrounded the box. candy and contents re-
ceived by Mrs. Dunning on said August 3, 1925
am acquainted with John p Dunning the
husband OF Elizabeth Dunning deceased Be
fore starting for California / saw him in the
town Of Dover. At the time of my interview
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1898-09-15

to have reached Dover when it did? A. Not
tBy the ChieO. 1t would take five and one
q. A package from here to Dover. Del,
of August to reach Dover, Del, on the after
noon Of August 9? A. l suppose 80.
city, A. ef tn the City august wa was IN
the city four or Ave days previous to this 1
left on the afternoon train for st. Helena.
Ffsne s = four s%ae or i've days previonss
Of July r and 1s1 here until the sh Of
sus out at t the Hotel Victoria California and
Hyde streets. Having had e. doctor ! rested
the % Of August and left the 18th visited Mrs, Mrs
street, between Stockton and Powell.
Have you said all You wa wanted to In rela
Dover this package Of candy containing q
cheap handkerchief, containing a note signed
these questions preceding this, article, and I
Sa the haSs sa ao a PS
mani, Reads; Mrs. Botkin: Thank you.
The Chief treading)-The box is of white
gs5ed sSs Is g 6aa in no shape
Around the ends are narrow pink satin rib
bons tied in a bow knot, and on the top in
wrapper is Of the common light brown kind
and is in no way of the variety usually in use
by confectioners. There are four or five cent
stamps and one 2-cent stamp on the wrapper,
on but one of which is the cancellation mark
legible The address is evidently written with
a cramped hand or with an effort at disguise
Within the box was common plain white
handkerchief, with the price mark rs cents,
still in one corner. The note written Mrs. c.
Is written ruled white paper In lead PEN
Gil and the words with love to yourself and
baby are written jerkily and in an entirely
different hand from the superscription, very
like womans hand. There are three kinds
of chocolate candy in the box. one hard and
soft with every appearance of being home
made. The impression of DR.. Bishop is that
the poison will be found in the latter kind.
Q. Now this Mrs. Botkin l want to ask
YOU, after having read the above description,
II you purchased, II you packed, IL you ad-
dressed or II you placed the handkerchief and
note in that package and II you placed four
scent stamps and one 2-cent stamp and If
you mailed that package in San Francisco or
Dunning at Dover Del, the wife OF j. p
Dunning? A. To all your questions / say
did not.
@. Do you know anything whatever about
it2 A. Nothing whatever.
Q. Have you ever seen this above described
package7 A. Never.
@. DID you ever authorize any one to send
TT A. / did not.
@. You have no knowledge of any one send
ing itf A. have not.
Q. None whatever? A. None whatever
Q. ] am to understand that you know moth
ing whatever positively nothing Of this pack
age or of Its being mailed? A. Nothing whdt-
BY the chisef-o. Now. Mrs. Botk,n. want
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1898-09-15

Stockton. ~ "
O. Did anybody present YOU with cana,
IN stockton! A. No. l had a very severe
liver attack and was under the doctors care
and was presented with no candy
T. Have You at any time or at any place
WITHIN WITHIN this State at any point; have you pur-
chased any candy lately except that which
to Camp Merritt? A. 1 have not
"a You have not received any from any one !?
A; have not, and am not fond of it anyway
a ! wish to- repeat again If a person In
stockton who deals in candy and who says
weeks ago there dnterrupting) three weeks
ago that 1t is not so? A. 1t is not.
had no one purchase any for you? You did
not cause any to be purchased? A. No. no. no
@ What Is your full name? A. Cordelia M
Botkin.
@ Your husband? A. Welcome A. Botkin
The above statement is correct.
MRS. CORDELIA BOTKIN
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1898-09-15
BELIEVES HE SOLD THE POISON.
David Green, in an Affidavit, Gives the Police
Some New Testimony.
State of California.

of San Francisco
a in
is
of
o and I
aske
rwhat
the
in
eihe
of
kepon
a
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1898-09-15

me II L ever heard of using arsenic. tod
her never had and she told me that she had
Deen tod that it was good. and 1 told her Il
S s We're the case and she wanted to bleach
where she should ees - Sg ta1d her ~ o.
10 some drug store where she acquainted
s anu teI MN what she wanted it for and ]
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1898-09-15

seen and I have been almost constantly in the
saddle, wearing holes in my anatomy. am
really sorry the war is over, for / have GER
tainly enjoyed it and l considerably uncer-
tain about the kind of work I will do when 1
get to New York.
1 am perfectly WELL but it is hotter than
blue blazes here. l hope everything will con-
tinue to be we'll with you. With my love,
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1898-09-15
State of Delaware, Kent County.

State of Delaware, Kent County.
John P. Dunning deposes and
says: That he is the husband of Eliz-
abeth Dunning, who died at Dover,
Delaware, on the 18th inst, from eat
ing poisoned chocolate-covered bon
bons, which appear to have been
sent to Dover from San Francisco.
California. That deponent further
says that he is familiar with the
handwriting of Ada Botkin, other
wise called Cordelia Botkin; that he
has seen the anonymous letter now in
the possession of Detective Bernard
j. McVey in San Francisco, addressed
to Mrs. j. P. Cunning, which reached
Dover in July, 1897, and that he be-
lieves the handwriting on the en-
velope which enclosed said anony-
nous letter is the handwriting of the
said Ada Botkin. That deponent
further says that he has not seen the
writing on the wrapper which en-
closed the box of poisoned candy and
is therefore unable to state in whose
hand the same is written. Further
the deponent sayeth not.
a. JOHN P. CUNNING.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1898-09-15

Neither Miss Heney nor Miss Dettmer
the candy girls, recognize Mrs. Botkil
positively as the woman who bought tn,
candy. Miss Heney says:
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1898-09-15

PORT ANTONIO, Jamaica, May 30, 1898.
Dear Ada: have been on the high seas in
tugboat chasing Spaniards and American
heets for ten days past having left Key West
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1898-07-12
MUNICIPAL MATTERS.
Official Proceedings of Last Nights Coun
ell Meeting.

ell Meeting.
City Council Room. Rock Island.
H.. July 1.-THE council met pur.
suant to adjournment. all the alder
men present except Winter and
Whcelan. Aid. Maucker was elected
acting mayor in the absence of Mayor
Medill on motion of Aid. johnson.
The clerk read the bids for the inn
provement Of Thirtieth street, which
were referred to the street and alley
committee:
Flick d johnson Construction Co
berca curbing. 46 cents per lineal
foot; resetting 8 cents per foot: pay
ING with macadam foundation, 81 %;
per cubic yard; with concrete SLID:
storm water inlets SIS; - inch pipes.
% cents per lineal foot; culvert.
S1.60.
Edwards & Walsh Construction Co.
I-CurbinG, Berca, 10 cents: rcscttin~.
10 cents; paving, with Galesburg
brick and macadam foundation. 81 %:
with concrete. $1.41; inlet, So; sewer
pipe. 40 cents: culvert. 81 90.
4 petition from the Peoples Power
company for leave to open paved
street was granted.
The clerk read petition from the
Rock Island Transfers Protective
union and nearly one thousand citi-
zens. asking that the Sennott Con-
struction company he required to
employ Rock Island transfers on the
reservoir excavation in accordance
with the terms of the contract. and
Charles j. Searle addressed the coun-
ciEin behalf of the business of the
contention. a resolution offered bv
AID. Fender, granting the PRAYER OF
the petition and referring the matter
to a special committee. composed OF
the mayor and three aldermen. one
of whom should be the present chair
man. was adopted. The committee.
rs announced by the chair. consists OF
| Mayor Medill and Aids. Maucker.
Johnson and Surman.
Aid. Elwell. from the ordinance
committee. reported favorablv the
ordinance granting the Rock Island d
Peoria Railway company the right to
lay side track across Eighth and
Seventh streets and ordinance ordered
considered. Passed by unanimous
vote.
AID. Gall offered a resolution for
the placing in of a gutter on Twenty
seventh street between Eighth and
| SiXth-and-a-half avenue. Referred to
the street and alley committee to as
certain cost on motion of Aid. John
son.
Adjourned on motion of Aid. Pen
der. \. ID. HUEsING.
CitV Clerk.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1898-07-12
PERSONAL POINTS.

Thomas Smart has gone to Califor-
mia.
Otto Kock. of Pekin. H.. was in
the city yesterday.
James Battles and bride are here
for an extended visit.
Miss Sophie Bader, of st. Louis. is
visiting at the residence of Daniel
Scully on Thirty-eighth street
P. 5. Nowerland, agent of the In
terstate Despatch at Peoria, WAS Il
Rock Island visitor yesterday.
Miss Dollie Cool left today over the
Burlington for Colorado. where she
Will spend several weeks in the noun
tains.
Mrs. Phil Mitchell. accompanied by
her mother, Mrs. Judd. has gone to
Philadelphia for Il visit at the latter :
home
Mrs. NJ. Z. Knox. who is visiting
her son. F. +. Donlin. leaves soon for
Denver, and from there goes To Orient'
where she has mining interests.
Galesburg Republican Register:
Miss Ora Cunningham gave party
to small company of her friends at
her home on South Prairie street in
honor of Miss Margaret Browan.
Miss Bro~an has been en-
p!oyed in the Macken-Donelan store
for nearly a year and half. where
she has made many warm friends.
She has recently resigned her posi-
ton and leaves today for her home in
Rock Island. where. on Aug. 10. she
will he married tn Harry Wright. of
Chicago. well known and popular
salesman for the Henry A. Rice Rub
Der company. Miss Bro@an * a
charming young lady. and her de-
parture from Galesburg is much re-
GREETED by her many friends. who.
however. rejoice with hcr in the APP
preaching happy event. A number
from this city will attend the we'd
ding.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1898-07-12
The Coming Woman

Who goes TO the club while her hus-
band tends the baby. as well as the
good old-fashioned woman who look.
after her home, viii both at times "et
run down in health. They will he in
trouble with loss of appetite. head.
aches. slccplcssncss. fainting or dizzy
spells. The most wonderful remedy
for these women is Electric Bitters.
Thousands Of sufferers from lam,
back and weak kidneys rise up and
call IT blessed. II is the medicine foI
women. Female complaints and ner.
vous troubles Of all kinds are soon re.
licved by the use of Electric Bitters.
Delicate women should keep this rem.
edy on hand to build up the system.
Only % cents per bottle. For sale bv
liar,z Il Ullemeyer.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1898-07-12
WORKING ON BRAINS.
Food Specialists Bring out a Novel,

Food Specialists Bring out Novelty.
y food expert at Battle Greek. Mich.
connected with the Postum Cereal
company. limited. has produced a
food especially intended for rebuild
ing the brain. Ii is wcll-known fact
among physicians that examination
of pcrspiration and urine will tell
whether the individual has been ac-
lively using the brain or not.
Brain work eNhausts the phosphates
which appear in the cXcreta above
mentioned. Administration of inor-
@anic PHOSPHORUS or phosphatcs does
not readily supply the waste. for nat
ure demands that phosphatcs be made
up and blended in food which she fur
nishes. Advantage has been taken Of
this knowledge and scientific selec-
ton OF part of the grain has been
made. and these have been put through
mechanical processes parallel to the
processes through which food is
passed in It's management bv the hui
man digestive organs. Therefore the
new food is not only ready to serve
without cooking. but il has passed
through the process where the
starcheS have been changed to grape
sugar. and that with the proteids. or
ganic phosphateS, etc, are at once
ready to he quickly absorbed and
turned to use in vitalizing and nour-
ishing the parts of the body like brain.
solar pleXus. and the delicate nerve
centers.
The new food has been given the
name of Grape-Nuts, and far from
being 'crank's food .invalid's
food. "or anything of that sort. il is a
crisp. sweet novelty. charming to the
athlete, brain worker epicure. or in
valid.
Grape-Nuts can be had of grocers.
and trial dish for breakfast will be
found a pleasant experience.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1898-07-12

Army General Once a Resident of Gales
burg.


During the autumn of 1856 tall.
slim. but broad-shouldered Young fell
low, fresh from term IF years in Il
country school up in Michigan. had
charge of a gang of workmen in the
c., B. IL Q. yards in Galesburg, says
the Galesburg Mail. He was famil-
iarly known as Bill Shafter.
Early in the fall young Shafter
walked into the home of Charles A.
Cothren in Galesburr. an unexpected
visitor from Galesburg, Mich. where
the two families had been the closest
neighbors. Mr.. Cothren was in charge
of the freight department of the c..
B. & q. railway. and gave his young
visitor charge of Il crew of men.
Traffic continued heavy for some time,
and as young Shafter filled the posi-
ton to his credit. he was allowed to
remain. His men could get through
with piece OF work in short order
and could do it well. Even in his
new home Shafter enjoyed outdoor
sports. He was good natured. quiet
sort of 4 fellow while in Galesburg.
and although he did not go out much
yet he was well liked by the Young
men OF the town who knew him.
Down on the east side Of the present
freight house there is the autograph of
William Shafter daubed on with a
paint brush.
Late in the winter of 80 he left for
his old home in Michigan. where he
was ii work when the war broke out.
and where he entered the army to
seek military career.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1898-07-12
Piles. Piles piIesr

DIR. Williams Indian Pile Ointment
will cure blind, bleeding and itching
piles when all other ointments have
failed. 1t absorhs the tumors, allav.
the itching at once, acts as a poultice.
gives instant relief. DR.. Williams
Indian Pile Ointment is prepared only
for piles and itching of the private
parts. and nothing else. Every box
is warranted. Sold by druggists o,
sent by mail on receipt Of price, sc
cents and 81 per box.
WILLIAMS MANUFACTURING Co.
Proprietors, Cleveland Ohio.
Sold by II. f. Bahnsen. Druggist.