davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The San Francisco call., 1899-07-09

member should recite in detail the cir
cumstances surrounding his divorce,
and a badge suggestive OF the most or
iginal and unique family fallout would
be designed.
The story related by Secretary Ward
Battles carried off the palm. AS recited
to the writer by Mr.. Battles, his eXpe-
rience is a story in itself.
My wife and l had INDUCED in one
of those love spats' SO common in most
families and had not spoken for week.
l was fool enough not to appreciate the
value of. a woman's silence then and
so originated a plan to break the spell.
Fixing a hook in the floor under my
wife's bedroom, I ran a long cord over
1t, one end of which was passed through
hole in the floor of my apartment. On
the other end of the string / tied
couple of coalgoii cans. That night af-
ter Mrs Battles retired set in motion
the machinery calculated to bring
about a family reunion. Pulling the
string gently / raised the tin cans from
the cellar floor and let them drop. There
was a terrific rattle and bang. Pretty
soon ! heard my wife moving about in
her room. She raised the window and
l distinguished faint Who's there?
There was no answer. of course
When l thought 1T was about time for
her to be doing again / gave the cans
another rattle She screamed this time,
and, running into my room, shouted
The San Francisco call., 1899-07-09

his earthly career In a most atrocious
manner while the organization was still
in its infancy, virtually christening the
association in deed of blood, the
members still hold fast to his ideas
and are carrying out his plans to the
best of their ability.
A strange feature in the gruesome
story OF Won Schmidt in connection with
his ideas as expressed in the objects of
the Divorced Mems Club is the fact
that although he was the loudest IL
denouncing matrimOny he found life
unbearable without the cOrpaniorship
Of his wife and took her life in the most
cruel and brutal mapner because she
would not listen to his prayers for for
giveness and return to him. Despite
his statements that a&WomanS love
was not worth having he could not
QuenCh the spark that smOldered
within him, and when his wife lay dead
at his feet he plunged into his own
heart the blade that was still dripping
with her life's blood.
The progress of the club was not in
terrupted by the death of its founder.
Stanley Stephenson, an ex-Cfty 'Trus-
tee, was elevated to the position of
president The members were pledged
to the most profound secrecy, and it
was only by the merest accident that
the existence of the organization be-
came known months after it had
sprang into life. While the, membership
is stated to be in the neighborhood of
The San Francisco call., 1899-07-09
California City Bachelor Colony
HuvulnerubIe to C4p1avs
T1chezw
Colony

'And why do you employ only un-
married mem" I asked Mr.. Hough,
who is one of the bachelor owners Of
the fish warehouse.
He winked slyly and said: Because
they want to be hired"
But don't the benedicts ever apply?"
Hardly ever, but"
Butt"
Mr. Hough thought a moment, looked
wise and replied: You know, man
who is unmarried has no responsible
ties and he is contented to stay with
his work, and"
"And?"
,'Wen, most of them are seafaring
men and haven't domestic lncllna-
tions.
is that your only reason?"
Now, hear, Q bachelor maids: this Is
what he said
If we had women over there all har-
mony would be destroyed; the men
would become dissatisfied and-well-
it wouldn't do; we have had men who
have been married, but-they were
widowers when they came to u.s."
And are contented?".
Just go over and see"
Our little boat rocked into Bachelors
Harbor on Wednesday at high tide.
The little white city of mateleSS men
is not very imposing; the buildings are
small and whiteWashed, and into these
Scampered several men. They watched
us until we turned to port, then, t1mtd
and tactful, scattered everywhere. But
there was one who stood his ground,
and that one was AlonZo Bates. He
stood on the wharf regarding us with
a cynical smile His white, neglected
beard. which runs riot over his
weather. beaten face, told more plainly
than registered oaths that a bachelor
he had lived and a bachelor he would
die. He raised a shaking finger and
piped out in his unmistakable Vermont
tone:
'Ye be MT allowed to land here"
This was an unexpected greeting,
which the artist ignored by remarking,
They're having big time in the city
MISUNDERSTANDING the Fourth and
Oh, lucky speech that opened the
avenues of his pride of nativity!
I'm right proud of Dewey" he
drawled out; "he is a Vermonter, too"
The rest was easy. 1 was famishing
of thirst. Could 1 have drink, of
water?
wouldn't ye?"
nodded,
"Then tie your boat and come along"
Mr. Bates is long, spare of build and
slow of speech. He kept his eyes upon
the ground until I asked
why did you never marry?"
Then he was vfsibly agitated and
muttered disdainfully
"Wimins tarnal fools"
But did you never find one who
wasn't?'
Men are tarnal fools, too"
"Oh, are they? When?"
when they talk to wimin."
And this is what one bachelor thinks
The San Francisco call., 1899-07-09

have had experiences as lively as they
are varied,
President Stanley Stephenson enjoyed
married life for many years, and the
white winged dove of peace hovered
over his household until he got into pol
itics At first his wife objected to his
staying out nights, then she positively
ordered that he remain at home. Be-
ing man more easily led than driven,
he lost no opportunity to attend pub
lie meeting or other nocturnal function
where his wife could not go. Failing
to curb his desire to associate with his
fellow-politicians, she forbid him using
tobacco This, ne thought, was perse
cution, and he would have no more of
it. He took the matrimonial bit between
his teeth and no power could hold him.
His wife sued him for a divorce and
he did not raise the slightest objection.
Joseph Maristaney, an Alameda capi-
talist. had an expensive experience
while he allowed his heart to- be tar
get for the darts of Cupid's bow. He
has figured in the divorce courts more
times than any member of the Divorced
Mems Club. He has been married sew
eral times and divorced as many, and it
took him a long time TO find out that
a large slice of his property went with
each successive wife. 1t was only after
the Divorced Mems Club was created
that q missionary from the orSdnlZd-
ton pointed out the hopelessness of his
search for an ideal wife. Now Mr.. Mar
istaney is one of the clubs most enthu-
siastic members.
Baron Alfred Baroteau, the club
steward, who prepares the refresh
ments for the organizations social ses-
sions, married a rich widow some years
his senior. She undertook to rule him
with a rod of iron from the very start
The iron burned into his soul, but he
stood it like martyr. 1t was always
understood by their acquaintances that
the widow had done most of the love-
making before the marriage, but could
not win the Baron until she volunteered
to pay the honeymoon expenses, and
then he surrendered his >feart at once
In after years she reminded him of this
The San Francisco call., 1899-07-09

When he was forced to defend him
self from his wife's charges of inde-
scribable cruelty set forth in detail in
a complaint for divorce, the whole
spirit of the man changed. He was
no longer a defender of the home. He
declared himself foe to matrimOny
and an enemy Of Womankind. He
boasted that he would devote his days
on earth to the injury of both. The
weapons with which he proposed to 10
this were the divorced man with whom
he had sympathized.
Calling them together. he suggested
the formation of the Divorced Mems
Club He set forth his ideas fully. re
prevent marriage wherever possible
was the paramount object. Every
member of the club could set himself
up as an example of the horrors and
dangers Of matrimony. Mankind was
TO be cautioned against the wiles of
women and the state Of single blessed
ness" was to be painted in the rosiest
hues Prompted by feeling of SYM
pathy for Won Schmidt and feeling of
resentment against Womankind on ac-
count of their own unhappy expe-
riences, these friends of the captain
EXPRESSED themselves in hearty accord
with his ideas.
1t was thus that the Divorced Mems
Club sprung into life. Won Schmidt
was honored by being named it's first
president and Ward Battles was elected
secretary,
Although the clubs founder closed
The San Francisco call., 1899-07-09
2QIameaa's Dlvorco Club ana Ohe11
Crusade 2lgaxnst ZIahz-
W0lH.

IN HE course Of matrimony, like
that of true love, does not run
smooth in Alameda, Every OBJ
stacle has been cast in its path
way, and if Cupid is not dis
couraged with the outlook 1T Is
not the fault of those who have found
marriage failure. a Bachelors Club
was formed in Alameda some time ago.
1t defed the god of love with much sue
cess for time, but in the end the sly
imp was victor and the bachelors dis
banded.
The Alameda Divorced Mems Club
sprang into existence last winter. The
city had experienced an epidemic of
divorce Society was shocked by each
successive announcement of some
couple-who to the outer world had
basked in the sunshine of each others
love-seeking surcease from domestic
discord.
Finally the long list of divorces cul-
minated in the announcement that
Captain A W. Won Schmidt had been
sued by his wife for a legal separation.
Many of the captains male friends had
been through the divorce mill He had
sympa thized with them, and during
their matrimonial troubles had taken
much pride in referring to his own
home life as ideal, and to his married
life as one of those matches which are
supposed to be made only in heaven.
The San Francisco call., 1899-07-09

Pacific Coast. For one score years and
ten no woman has lived within its sa-
cred precincts. Fer thirty years no
child has played upon it's beach or lisp
ed an evening prayer.
1t is a settlement of the bachelors. It
is a home provided for the bachelors.
and it is city governed by the bachel-
ors.
It is located geographically in the
glorious State of California. Its shores
are washed by the waters Of San Fran
cisco Bay.
1t is registered on the map as Califor-
mia City.
Do you wish to go there?
If you are strong of limb and long Of
breath, try scaling the hills back of
Tiburon until you come to the little
white city in the cove-then drop down
upon the gay Lotharios unawares
Or if you prefer. the Raccoon Straits
in an open boat, and the fates be with
you and the tide, then you may make
landing the same as the artist and l.
There is a universal spirit of defiant
warfare against woman at this set
tlement that BODIES Cupid no good. But,
then, much depends.
Diplomatic caution is the only loop
dom if the visitor be a woman.
The bachelor on guard at the wharf
may be peevish; he may be cynical and
refuse you permission to land just be-
cause you are a woman, and then he
may be the other kind. AS 1 said be-
fore, much depends.
There are several varieties of the
species even among the one hundred
who call this place home.
There is the. genial, Warm-hearted
fellow who looks you straight in the
eve and at once extends his hand and
says welcome. There is the economical
bachelor who makes you feel that he is
obliged for time and eternity to evade
a womans smile There is the stingy,
greedy and unkempt creature who es-
chews manners and even abhors the
use of the obnoxious weed just because
it is a luxury.
This is the kind who is ever saving
for rainy day, and it is said that he
spends his holidays counting his gold
The San Francisco call., 1899-07-09

"a bachelor who has saved 100000 by
rigid economy, and matrimony has not
troubled him for many a. year. he
saves his money and patches his
clothes while they are yet new to keep
them from wearing out.
But there are others.
J. G. CaSWell is not one of the misery
kind He is a spendthrift bachelor. he
is one of the Caswells of Rhode Island
bodybuilding fame and for the past
twenty-five years has built the dories
and repaired the boats at California
City.
why don't L marry? Cause no one
would have me, guess. There are no
Mrs. Caudles over here, and l guess we
would make 'em mighty sorry II they
came nosino around now"
And Pietro Piaggi, the bachelor cook.
said: when 1 get a fortune am going
back to the Alps-to my home in Switz-
erland-and if the girl | left waits for
me. then perhaps-but who knows" [
AS for the mythical mayor: No, III
never marry. You see, all OF the ladies
are so attractive that l can't make
choice l wouldn't even object to pay
a bachelors fine if the proceeds would
go toward founding an old maids
home We are all right without the
ministering angels and sewing circle
small talk We have three good meals
per day and peace"
oh. happy community!
ANNABEL LEE
The San Francisco call., 1899-07-09
MrcherY

and building plans for the future. This
is the kind who can no more be wheed-
led, coaXed or coerced into letting you
land than he could be persuaded to
marry, and if I say this specie of bach
elordom be on guard, put to sea; he Will
not let you land.
There is the jolly good fellow who
bursts into uncomfortable fits of laugh
ter at the least provocation. he likes
the sound of his own voice and you IT.
resistibly join him in the loquac1ous
gurgle, not because of his wit pure ana
sparkling, but because of his irrepres-
sible good nature that beams and bows
at you until you respond. Bachelors
from the bold and defiant to the tim1d
and shrinking find shelter here.
There are those who skulk along the
wharf and dodge in the first open door
when a woman approaches, and you
may be sure. that his eye is glued to
some aperture in the wall where he can
observe you without your knowledge.
If his kind be on. guard, then you
may land without protest. He Will lfsee
to it that you do not get near enough
to disturb him.
The coast is yours If you want 1t
from California City to Ell Campo.
Bachelors by preference and bachelors
by necessity drift here from all quar-
ters of the civilized world, bide for
time and are gone; but none mas ever
been known to enter the field OF matrl-
mony and escape the verdict whose Sc
we're penalty is ostracism from the
community. Single blessedness is here
a manifesto of inexorable law.
The iron-clad rules that govern a
colony and those that control bach
elors' club differ widely in their effects.
Mrs Charlotte Smith of the Woman
Reserve League and her cOterie may
work general destruction to rich bach
elors to compel matrimony. By her
time and eloquence she may influence
Congress to impose annual bachelor
The San Francisco call., 1899-07-09

fines equivalent to the support of a
family. But the law that keeps Cupid
at bay in California City is the law
that the civilized bachelor cannot dis
regard and still be a member of the
Eveless realm.
The man who marries from this COM
munity will find his Occupation gone.
Aye, there's the rub" For in this
port of peace there is but one ulti-
matum. The man who commits the
violent crime of matrimony must suf-
fer the relentless penalty-banishment
And what sort of man is proof against
the common wants of bread and but
ter?
Thirty years ago the Pioneer Fish
Warehouse of the Pacific Coast was
established at this. point. Then the
name of California City was applied to
a site further up the bay-a site whose
foundations crumbled before they were
finished, and so the mythical name de-
scended to this fish curing station, and
G.. w. Crowell is dubbed the mythical
mayor of the mythical city. In thirty
wears every country in the civilized
world has been represented there.
The San Francisco call., 1899-07-09
California;

= :: :: 4: !; !: + :' :: :: =: f: + ::
spent life's fieeting hours in
meditation fancy free, 1 have a sur
prise.
l have a surprise.
l have discovered an Eden of Adams
only
This Eden is deep-sea harbor on the
Williston graphic. (Williston, Williams County, N.D.) 1895-1919, 1899-06-15
FOURTH OF JULY.
Meeting Of Williston Citizens to Ar
range for the Celebration.

meeting Of citizens was held at the
courthouse Monday evening to talk oyer
the matter Of a 4th Of July celebration.
and quite large number were in at
tendance.
The meeting organized by the election
of r. II. Copeland us chairman, and G.
a. Bryant us secretary.
The meeting preceded at once to
business, and on motion, the following
persons were elected to act as an execu-
tive committee: w. J. Ford, G. W.
Newton and J. Il. Cornish
This committee was empowered to ap-
point auxiliary committees and arrange
a program for the celebration.
On motion, the following persons were
elected to act as a finance committee: ::
G. w. Newton, w. J. Ford and J. T..
Cornish. The duty of this committee is
to canyas the town, and secure subscrip.
tions to a celebration fund, and when
their work is completed to report their
action to the executive committee.
At present writing we are unable to
give any idea Of the size of purses which
are proposed to be offered, but it will
be the aim of the executive committee
to get up an attractive program, and
offer as great inducements as possible to
bring here some Gne race horses and a
large crowd of people.
LATER-The purses have been arranged
for, and the whole program will be
found on 4th page
Williston graphic. (Williston, Williams County, N.D.) 1895-1919, 1899-06-15

THE sheds OF the Bruegger Mercantile
Co.'s brick yard collapsed yesterday
afternoon, with about 25,0OO freshly
moulded brick, nearly all of which are
a total loss. OF course. this is not a very
great item but it will put work back tor
at least week or ten days.
Deputy Sheriff c. E. Bell returned
Monday evening with Alex Renyile,
the young half-breed who stole Andrew
Johnson's horse last week. Mr. Bell
caught Renvil!e at Turtle Mountain,
not far from Rolla. The prisoner was
taken before Justice Burgess Tuesday
evening, and asked to have his exami
nation postponed until Saturday, at
which time he expects his father to
come here.
1t now turns out that the great wrest-
ling match advertised to come off at
Fargo between Hall Adai, the terrible
Turk" and Mcmillan, as one of the
attractions Of the fire festival, was a
grand fake. The person pretending
to represent the Turk was man named
Pierre, and the contest put up job.
The Turk was at Omaha at the time, and
the people of Fargo feel greatly chag-
rined for the way they were duped..
Mrs. E. w. Daniels, signal service
officer of the weather bureau of this
place, departed Friday evening for Il
two weeks visit with friends and rela.
tives at Oregon City, Ore. This is the
first leave of absence Mrs. Daniels has
asked for in the past two years, and she
has amply earned it. During her alb
sence Agent Atterberry will attend to
the receiving and transmitting reports,
while Rev. Hjetland will take obserya-
tions and regulate the weather.
A short time ago the Devils Lake
papers announced with great flourish
of trumpets, that, now that that city was
completely in accord with the prohibition
law and that all blind pigs and other
loose joints were closed, the enforce
ment league would turn their attention
to Williston, and clean out the Aueean
stables here, too. Well as a preliminary
step, the advance guard is here. He says
he got drunk in Devils Lake, and came
to Williston to sober up, but says he
does not know how be got here. 1t is
evident the enforcement league whiskey
is ID bad stuff. That's right-come
to Wi.iston if you want something good.
We have the best Of everything.
Williston graphic. (Williston, Williams County, N.D.) 1895-1919, 1899-06-15

Remember that the election Of new
school trustees will take place next
Tuesday. Are you prepared to elect
men who will show some respect for the
wishes Of the people? For the sake Of
common decency-for the good of the
educational interests of WiIliston, let
us elect men who are not actuated by
jealousy and personal revenge. If you
will elect men possessed OF d little per-
sonal honor, common intelligence and
business tact, you need have no fear Of
the future welfare of tie schools.
Williston graphic. (Williston, Williams County, N.D.) 1895-1919, 1899-06-15
FREE OF CHARGE.

ANY adult suffering from cold settled
on the breast, bronchitis, throat or lung
troubles Of any nature, who will call at
Bruegger Mercantile Co., will be pre-
sented with small bottle Of Boschee's 8
German Syrup, free of charge. Only
one bottle given to one person, and none
to children without order from parents.
No throat or lung remedy ever had
such sale as 3oschee's German Syrup
in all parts of the civilized world.
Twenty years ago millions Of bottles
were given away, and your druggists
will tell you its success was marvellous.
1t is really the only Throat and Lung
Remedy generally endorsed by physi-
clans. One IS cent bottle will cure or
prove its value. Sold by all druggists in
this city. oc7-9S
Williston graphic. (Williston, Williams County, N.D.) 1895-1919, 1899-06-15

The report comes from Buford this
morning that the new saloon, which was
being erected by Mr.. Roberts, bnt which
was not yet quite completed, was des-
troyed by fire last night.
G. B. Meizger, who has been in at
tendance as delegate to the Grand
Lodge |. O. O. F. at Larimore the past
week. returned home Monday, and re-
ports very interesting session.
Architect c. f. Bell of Helena, Mont,
arrived in the city yesterday, aud was
present at the session of the board of
county commissioners who met to open
bids for the construction of the new
courthouse.
The Ladies' Aid will haye measur-
ing party in the NJ. Z. Church. Wednes.
day June p, a varied program will be
rendered. eshments, including ice
cream will be served. A cordial inyita-
ton is extended to all.
Down at Fargo the improvement
leaguers have been successful in clean
ing out "The Hollow" in the First ward
Of that city. The Hollow was the motor
ious resort Of ''soiled doves" and pimps,
but now the place is as clean as a whis-
tie.
Walter G. Lyons, one Of Langdon's
prominent attorneys, arrived in this city
Tuesday. Mr.. Lyons expects to remain
here two or three weeks to await the
arrival of band of horses from Montana,
which he and another gentleman re-
Gently purchased in that state.
Nick Bruegger's high steppers became
obstreperous YESTERDAY afternoon for
being left moment by themselves and
took lively spin around block 10 on
theil own account. They were brought
up standing when they struck the cor
ner post Of Wittmeier's front yard, but
no serious damage resulted.
B. L. Hardaway has about finished
shearing this season. Billy Adams
expects to begin shearing about to-
morrow. He has about $500 sheep to
clip from. and estimates that his clip
will reach close to $500 pounds. II. V.
Smith will start shealing next week.
A. r. Mayo this week laid the keel
for a tug boat, which he proposes to use
on the Missouri river at this point for
towing rafts, and for excursion parties.
The boat will be supplied with ample
steam power and facilities to run her
anywhere desired on the Missouri river
in all conditions of weather.
Williston graphic. (Williston, Williams County, N.D.) 1895-1919, 1899-06-15
Williston, June IA.

n. p. Rasmussen was up from Grin
nell yesterday, and reports the death OF
three or four children in his neighbor-
hood within the past month from a
disease supposed to be tonslitis, but
which strongly indicates diphtheria.
Mr. Wallander lost u little boy, aged
about 6 years. last Friday, and some
two weeks ago, Mr.. Asbjorn Olson s
little 5.year-old daughter was carried
away by the same disease, and Mr..
Hanson has also lost child. DR.. Van
Dyke, the health officer Of the county,
will visit that portion Of the county and
make Il professional examination, "and
institute such measures as will tend to
check the spread Of the disease.
Williston graphic. (Williston, Williams County, N.D.) 1895-1919, 1899-06-15

G. II. Merrill, Of the great sheep and
wool firm OF Merrill & Libby OF Montana,
was in the city this week conferringwith
our sheep raisers. We understand THAT
he succeeded in contracting with Billy
Adams, B. J.. Hardaway and H. v. Smith
for their entire clip Of wool this season ut
II, average price Of ID cents cash, the
wool to be delivered on board Of cars.
THIS price is Il good figure for wool in
the present state Of the market, and
greatly to the advantage of the sellers,
AS they will realize the benefits of cash
payments, and run no risks in shipments
or loss by change in prices of the
markets east.