davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The San Francisco call., 1901-12-21
HRS. w. C. CURTIS WAS
NOT GUILTY OF THEFT
Hale Bros. Acknowledge the Injus-
tice Done Lady Who Was Charged
With Shoplifting.

Mrs w C Curtis. the lady who was
charged with shoplifting by detective
in the employ Of Hale Bros, was COM
pletely vindicated in court yesterday af-
ternoon Messrs. Campbell, Metson &
Campbell, attorneys for the well-known
dry goods house, signed a statement re-
futing the charge against her This docu-
ment was read to Judge COnlan and then
filed The charge was dismissed. The
statement is as follows:
SAN FRANCISCO. Dec 20. 1901.
To the Honorable Police Court. Department
No 2 and Hon. Charles T. Conlan, Judge
thereof City Hall, city-Dear Sir: Having
been employed in the prosecution Of this case.
growing out Of the arrest of the defendant.
Mrs W {. Curtis. on Saturday December Z,
1901 by a detective in the employ of Hale
Bros doing a retail business at 797 Mar
ket street, San Francisco, would say:
That when the lady was arrested the coun-
ter in the store she had in her hand a new
purse bearing a tag not yet removed. with
which she seemed to be making away, and
another purse was lying on the floor near by;
and when charged with stealing, owing prob
ably to fright or embarrassment regarding the
Hale Bros. refused TO state her name resi-
dence or condition in life or the names of any
of her relatives or friends, all Of which seemed
to US at the time to point to the fact that she
was a professional shopifter Subsequent in
yestigation into the matter has convinced US
that the lady's standing and her antecedents
were OF the best and that the purse which she
had in her hand with the tag on was her
was unlike any purse they had in their store,
and which purse has been this day returned to
her.
Evidently an unfortunate mistake has been
made and in justice to all parties concerned
we make this statement and move the court
to dismiss the charge
The San Francisco call., 1901-12-21
WALSH SAVED FROM
BEING A CONVICT
Charge of Burglary Against Him Is
Reduced to Disturbing the
Peace.

John Walsh, a sailor, has been saved
from the disgrace of being an ex-con-
vict through the kindness of Judge Law
Ior. Just before the Judge left on his va
cation a jury in his court brought in a
verdict of guilty against Walsh on a
charge of burglary. His attorney at the
time remarked that if he had thought
for d moment the jury would convict
Walsh he would have asked that they ex-
anime the place he was charged with fe-
ioniously entering.
Walsh was found in a room at 135 Fifth
street on the night of July %. 1t was
occupied by Mrs. Nesser, who was sick in
bed. The gas was turned and Walsh
had q small stick in his hand. He was
under the influence of liquor. When ar
rested he said he had done time in Lon
DON" but it turned out to be a drunken
mans boast.
The Judge. after Walsh's conviction was
impressed by the remark of his attorney
and personally examined the premises.
He also wrote to Walsh's native place in
Wales and received replies that Walsh
had always borne an excellent character
and had never been in trouble.
A week ago Walsh's attorney moved for
a trial. and when the case called
yesterday the Judge said that, consider
ing all the circumstances, he did not be-
lieve there was felonious intent but as
a crime had been committed he left the
matter to be dealt with by the District
Attorney. Walsh was taken before Judge
Conlan on a charge of disturbing the
peace and was sentenced to five days in
Jail. He has already spent five months
in jail.
The San Francisco call., 1901-12-21
MASONS INSTALL
THEIR OFFICERS
Fidelity Lodge Ceremony
Is a Fashionable
Event.
Retiring Master Solomons is
Presented With Rich
Jewel.

The public installation of the officers Of
Fidelity Lodge No. 120, Free and Ac-
cepted Masons, last Thursday night in
the assembly hall of the Native Sons
building was the most fashionable event
of installation week noticeable fea-'
ture of the event was that not only the
officers-elect but all the members of the
lodge wore full evening dress suits. This
was in accordance with the rule in many
of the European countries that no Mason
appear in the lodgerooms, whether at the
ordinary lodge meeting or social function,
unless attired in the conventional even
ing costume.
The officers were installed in very i'm
pressive manner by the retiring master,
Lucius l.. Solomons, who had for his
marshal Past Master Gustave Brenner.
The ceremony was watched with much
interest by all and with marked atten-
ton. The officials who assumed stations
on that night are:
Benjamin L, Stone. worshipful master; Theo-
dore Cohn senior warden; Wallace A. Wise,
junior warden; Max Goldman, treasurer; Fred
erick Barry secretary; Newton d. MewstadeT esron
Charles Schlessinger, junior deacon; John r
Albro and T. Trlest. stewards. and NJ j.
Meyers, tyler, the latter entering upon MS
that office.
At the close of the ceremony Past Mas
ter Rev. Jacob Voorsanger, on behalf OF
the lodge, presented beautiful jewel TO
Lucius l.. SolOmons, the retiring master.
The music during the installation was fur-
nished by J. r. OgilVie, ]. p. Fleming, j.
r. Jones and r. F. Tilton, the latter pre-
siding at the organ.
There was a grand march to the supper
served in the large banquet hall, where
covers were laid for 500 persons, and
when all were seated there were very
few chairs vacant. The retiring master
was toastma ster. During the discussion
of the excellent supper a number OF vocal
selections were rendered, and there was
also number of instrumental numbers
rendered by an orchestra There were
addresses by the Reverends Voorsanger
and Nieto, Wallace A. Wise, NJ. H. Was
cerwitz and several others.
High Masons Elect Officers.
Last Thursday night San Francisco Con-
sistory No. l, Ancient and Accepted Scot
tish Rites. elected the following named
officers for the current term:
F. c. Van Schaick, venerable master of Ka-
dosh; James A. Wilson, prior; Joseph ID.
Abrams sub-prior; Henry Burner. registrar;
Samuel w. Levy, treasurer; William S. Moses,
Miller minister of state; r. E. Allan, prelate;
George Varcoe, master Of ceremonies: H. ].
Grauerholz, expert: Dr. T: e James, junior ex-
pert; A. Fodera, standard bearer; H. Van Luz
sen, master Of the guard, and John D Arcy,
tyler
by Frank 3. Ladd, master of Kadosh, and
Frank Koenig, who acted as marshal OF
ceremonies:
At the meeting of Mission Chapter No.
70 Of the Royal Arch Masons on Thurs
day night in Mission Masonic Hall the
following named were elected for the en-
suing term:
c. Bunker SCRIBE ]. r. HiIman, secretary.
and C. Hewig. treasurer.
The San Francisco call., 1901-12-21
FIGHTING tones
READY FOR WAR
Break Agreement and
Are Anxious to Open
Hostilities.
Pin Kong Men Fire Bomb in
Defiance of Members of
Four Families.

The fighting tongs of Chinatown are
again on the warpath. Despite the an
nOuncement that the Four Families and
the Pin Kong Tong had agreed TO call off
their differences and bury the hatcheJ,
both sides are armed to the teeth and
ready to do battle.
The trouble is over the failure of both
tongs to abide by the agreement which
they signed about a week ago. The Four
Families claim that the Pin Kong Tong
people have not lived up to the agree
ment, inasmuch as they have failed to
settle with the families Of the men whom
tney nave murdered. Late Thursday
night the two rival factions met and en-
QeaVored to come to some understanding.
The -Four Families insisted that the Pin
Kong Tong should abide by the peace
terms, making it imperative on either
side that the families OF their victims
should be given a certain amount Of
money. The Pin Kong Tong people
claimed that they were unable to pay
the demands, and war was formally de-
clared. The agreement which both fac
uons signed was then destroyed and the
renewal of hostilities announced.
Had IL not been for the presence of
special watchman named Jim Meyers a
bloody battle would have ensued. Antici
pating serious trouble after the Four
Families had destroyed the agreement
between the factions, Meyers hustled the
gun lighters out of the meeting place
after depriving number of them of their
weapons.
The Pin Kong Tong shortly afterward
called a special meeting Of its own peo-
pie and the trouble with the Four Fami-
lies was discussed. After a long session
II was decided to give battle to the Four
Families, and, following the usual Gus
tom of the Chinese in case Of war be-
tween tongs, large bomb was exploded
from the headquarters Of the Pin Kong
Tong, which was intended to notify their
friends and sympathizers that the war
with the Four Families was on.
In view Of serious trouble Captain Sey-
mour has detailed Detectives Mcmahon
and Gibson to keep strict watch on the
warning tongs and to prevent further
bloodshed If possible. Late yesterday aft
ernoon McNahOn arrested a Pin Kong
Tong man for carrying concealed weap-
ons. He was found on Jackson street
wI.h revolver and long knife hidden
in his blouse
The San Francisco call., 1901-12-21
SERIOUS CHARGE MADE
AGAINST ARMY OFFICER r
Captain Donovan Said to Be in Finan-
cial Difficulty and Frequently
Tnt0xipafed

Considerable interest has been aroused
in local military circles by the news from
washington that serious charges have
been preferred against Captain ]. l.. Dom
ovan. Twenty-second Infantry, who is
now in command of battalion of casuals
at camp at the Presidio. 1t is alleged
that the captain was intoxicated while on
his way to Manila from Columbus Bar
racks. Columbus, Ohio, and was guilty Of
conduct unbecoming officer and a gen.
tleman 1t is alleged further that he
habitualIy overindulges in alcoholic stim-
llants and that he is very irregular in
meeting his financial obligations.
If these charges can be proved It will
mean either that Captain Donovan will
be dismissed from the service Of the
United States or at least severely cen
sured and black mark placed against his
hitherto enviable record. He states that
is to be ourt-rnartialed, but is aware that
something of the kind is in the wind. He
was ordered 10 Manila, but has been de-
tained at the Preside.
The captain has fine military record
During the Spanish-American war he was
lieutenant colonel of the Sixty-ninth New
York Volunteers While in the Philippines
he was shot twice through the leg in q
fierce battle near CaVite. but refused all
profers of assistance and led his company
through the engagement On several 9TH
mended for bravery. He is well known
in local society and is a great favorite
with his brother officers. 1t is stated that
charges have been preferred against him
before, but that his record saved him
from a trial.
The San Francisco call., 1901-12-21
BoWHAYS SETTLE THEIR
MARITAL DIFFERENCES
Ladies' Tailor and Spouse Decide to
Abandon Proceedings in Di-
UOrce Court

Margaret May Bowhay and Alfred L.
Bowhay have decided to abandon their
proceedings in the divorce court Van R.
Patterson, attorney for Mrs Bowhay, ap-
peared before Judge Sloss yesterday and
withdrew his motion for ali1nony and pc
tiion for an order restraining Bowhay
from visiting the ladies tailoring estac-
lishment conducted by them previous to
the institution by Mrs. Bowhay of divorce
proceedings. Patterson intimated that
and were about to enter into a second
honeymoon.
Judge Graham issued an order yester-
day directing Louis ArZur, proprietor Of
The Ferry cafe, to pay to his wife Janet
maintenance she instituted is pending.
Minnie /. Christopher was granted a
divorce from John Francis Christopher by
Judge Hunt yesterday. The couple were
married at Los Angeles in November.
1898. The couple did not appear in court.
and Judge Hunt grained the divorce CT
the report of Court Commissioner Thomas
Mulvey, who acted as referee. Christie
pher is a drug clerk. His former wife
accused him Of treating her cruelty since
May, 1899. They resided at Al Van Ness
avenue.
A decree of divorce was also granted to
Rosa J. Probst from Henry B. Probst
for crpelty.
The marriage of Virginia shppee TO
James H. Shippee was annulled by Judge
Kerrigan yesterday. The former Mrs.
Shippee testified that after her marriage
to Shippee at San Rafael in August. 1899.
she learned that he had another wife liV
ing.
Suits for divorce were filed Yesterday
by Mary Challiol against Edward Chal-
liol for cruelty, Minnie Bickerstaff against
Joseph Bickerstaff for cruelty, Susan J.
ty and Minnie Z. Bicknell against George
Bicknell Cor cruelty. -
The San Francisco call., 1901-12-21
COMPROMISE IS EFFECTED
BY THE HENARIE HEIRS
Executors of Estate of Divorced Wife
Of Late Capitalist Accept
$4,000.

An order consenting to the compromise
of the claim Of the executors of the es-
tate of Mary, B. Henarie against the es-
tate of d. " b. Henarie was made in
Department of the Superior Court yes
tcrday. This settles the contest of the
will of the late capitalist that has beer.
waged in the courts for the last two
years. The sum agreed upon is $40 600
Mrs. Henarie was the divorced wife Of
d. v B. Henarie After the Will was pro-
bated she petitioned the courts for d
revocation of Henarie's will, alleging that
she was entitled to. the property. Her
claims were opposed on the ground that
when she secured a divorce she received
all of the property she was entitled to-
Failing to win this suit, she filed suits
for an accounting against E. S. Pillsbury
and l.. D. Radgesky, executors of the
will, and then appealed to the Supreme
Court from the decision rendered against
her in, her suit for the revoking Of the
probate proceedings.
The suits and the appeal are still pend
inS, as Mrs. Henarie died before they
came up for trial. The compromise made
yesterday, however, disposes OF the ac-
tions, and in a few days steps will be
taken to have them dismissed.
The San Francisco call., 1901-12-21
TUNNEL SCHEME
NOT PRACTICAL
Boring Into Telegraph
Hill Is Opposed by
Merchants.
Supervisors Joint Committee
Acts on Weighty
Measures.

Various matters of public interest which
it IS proposed to submit to the popular
vote at the coming election were consid-
cred at a joint meeting of the committees
Oh Public Utilities and Judiciary of the
Board of Supervisors yesterday. There
were present Supervisors Reed, Comte,
Tobin, Connor, Jennings and Braunhart.
Mayor Phelan, eX-Mayor E. B. Pond.
Frank ]. Symmes, president of the Mer-
chants Association, and a number Of
members Of that organization.
The proposed plan of beautifying Tele-
graph Hill and tunneling it was consid
cred. The resolution before the commit
tee provides for raising funds for the ac-
quisition of property on the hill by the
city and for the submission Of the plan to
the electors. The Merchants Association
was requested to instruct the committee
as to its views relative to the matter and
President SymmeS said the hill ought to
be preserved. His organization was op-
posed to the tunnel scheme. however. at
this time.
A long discussion then followed in which
Mayor Phelan, E. B. Pond and City En-
gineeT Grunsky took part The tunnel
proposition was at length discarded by
the committee on motion of Connor, there
by cutting down the proposed bond issue
to the extent of $167, 900.
The matter of cutting down the grade
of SanSOme street across the hill was also
discussed. 1t was decided to postpone
action in this respect for another week.
The resolution to acquire property be-
tween California, Pine and Dupont streets
and st. Mary's place for park, to be
known st. Mary'S Square, was recon-
merded for passage, notwithstanding the
opposition Of the Merchants Association,
whcih regarded the proposed Improvement
as unwise at the present time. AS certain
real property will have to be acquired the
committee decided to make the sum need
ed for the Improvement S215000 instead Of
$125, 900, as was first proposed. If this
proposition receives two-thirds of the vote
of the electors at the special election the
present st. Mary's Square litigation will
be abandoned.
The proposition of setting aside 81, ,000, 900
for the improvement nf streets was ad-
versely considered. President Symmcs
stated that no less than $3.50, 900 should be
set aside each year for the repairs of aC-
cepteG streets. He remarked that the con-
dition of the streets of this city was far
below the standard maintained by first
class cities.
\ majority of the committee felt inclined
to favor the plan of setting aside each
year certain sum for the repairs of ac-
cepted streets. The discussion resulted
in the rejection of the resolution to refer
the matter to the people for their approval
or rejection by the following vote:
Ayes Reed, Connor.
Noes-Tobin, Comte, Jennings.
The il dietary Committee met after the
adjournment Of the joint committee and
transacted routine business.
The San Francisco call., 1901-12-21
CALIFORNIA HAS SECRET
FOR PRESERVING FRUIT
Samples Exhibited in Paris and Buff
falo Show No Signs Of De-
farioration
terIOrauOn.

France for many years held supremacy
in the art Of preserving fruit, but now it
is conceded that California is in advance
of the rest of the world in the matter Of
preserving fruits in solution for exhibition
purposes J. A. FiIcher, manager of the
State Board Of Trade, returned recently
from his labors at the Buffalo Exposition
and is now engaged experimenting the
unpacking of massive glass jars OF fruits
which won prizes and created an inter-
national envy.
ton is coming out, as it is being un-
hacked. as fresh and perfect as though
lust picked from the vines and trees.
Some of this fruit was exhibited in Paris
i'm 1900 as we'll as In Buffalo and will now
take its place among the different eXhib-
its in the permanent display of the Board
Of Trade
Manager Filcher claims that in Califor
MIA fruit can be preserved for exhibition
better than anywhere else in the world.
1--WE have the secret" he said yester-
day. ''I have had q chance of seeing
fruit at the expositionS of Europe and
at all the exhibitions of this country and
/ have never seen fruit compare even
favorably with ours. We not only pre-
serve it more perfectly, but it seems to
stand up better as Illustrated by the per-
feet condition of the fruit now being un-
II was besieged by foreigners at Buff
falo desiring to know by what method
the California fruit is preserved. That
however, is our own secret"
The San Francisco call., 1901-12-21
MASONRY IS THREATENED
BY UNSCRUPULoUs MEN
Grand Master Meade of New York
Taking Steps to Check a Clan
destine Movement.

NEW YORK, Dec. 21.-The Press this
morning says Into New York to-day, as
fast as the service of the New York Cen
tral road can carry him, will come Charles
W. Meade, grand master of the Grand
Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons to
take hold with other high officers of a.
question of more Importance to Masonry
than any that has confronted it since the
stormy period in 1928. To-day the order
has before it's officers facts which show
that lodges are being formed by expelled
and clandestine Masons, and that the
right to fellowship may become a COM
candidates at so much a head. Men who
have been initiated in the city of New
York have come forth believing them
selves true in the faith which has been
taught for so many centuries, and which
has embraced among its followers every
President of the United States from
Washington to Roosevelt.
Grand Secretary Ellis has come out in
a public statement that the Grand Lodge
of Ohio of which Justin Pinney is grand
master is a bogus institution composed of
expeIIed and clandestine Masons without
Masonic authority of any kind
This it is said, will be followed by
strong edict from Meade. Everything
that can be done to prevent the prODa-
gandists from misleading the people of
New York will be done and every lodge
in the State will be p at on its guard
against these clandestfne Masons, who
are to be made wholesale at SIS a head
and turned loose upon the public.
Not that alone, but a most rigid investi-
cation will be made 1t is alleged that
certain men who are Masons are giving
the clandeStine movement their cOunten-
anCe and support.
The San Francisco call., 1901-12-21
DARING HOLD-UP
ON CLAY STREET
Fl. Darlington Wilson Is
Robbed in Western
Addition.
Two Bold Highwaymen Re-
lieve Him of His Money
and Jewelry.

Two daring highwaymen held up and
robbed H. Darlington Wilson in front Of
his home at 1919 Clay street about 10
o'clock last night The robbery was one
of the boldest that has occurred in some
time. The daring knights of the high
way secured about three hundred dollars
worth of jewelry and ten dollars in cash
and escaped.
Wilson, who is well known in local
musical circles, was about to walk up a
short flight Of steps that lead to the front
door of his home when the footpads
swung around Clay street from Van Ness
avenue, where they had been probably
lying in wait in front of the Spreckles
mansion. Wilson was attracted by some
remark which one Of the men made and
as he turned around he heard one of the
The next moment Wilson was looking
down the glistening barrel Of aNrevolver
and the man who held the pistol thun-
dered out, Throw up your hands"
was a joke, but when the highwayman
showed the pistol so close to his nose that
cartridges he threw up his hands.
The other robber then ri1ed Wilson'S $
pockets and took everything that was ne
gotiable He secured $40, all the money
attention to Wilson's gold watch aud
chain, which he took with Is good grace
as if it belonged to him. The man who
searched Wilson forgot to take his Ola
mond ring and his pal" who had Wilson
covered with the revolver, promptly
called his attention to the oversight The
ring was quickly removed from Wilson s
finger. The robber next removed Wilson's 6
gold trimmed spectacles, but his compan-
ion advised him to give them back, re-
marking that they were not worth much.
While the thieves were going through
Wilson he was perfectly cool. When they
took his silver cigarette case inscribed
with the initials, "H. c. S. Wilson tried
to joke them into returning 1t as it was
much priced gift, but the robbers refused
to give it back.
After rifing Wilson'S pockets thorough
he ascended the steps the highwaymen
ran I'D Sacramento street to Franklin,
where they separated.
Wilson watched them until they turned
the corner and then he hurried to the
North End Station, where he reported the
robbery to the police. Wilson furnished q
good description of the robbers. He said
that the man who rifled his pockets was
tall and wore a mask, while the man who
covered him with the revolver was rather
short and stoutly built. He was not
masked and Wilson thinks if he ever sees
him again he will be able to identify him.