davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The San Francisco call., 1903-09-26

San Quentin some time during the morn
ing, but where he will go when he leaves
the prison is mere conjecture. He is en-
titled to a railroad ticket to any part Of
California All he wishes, however, is
transportation to San Francisco.
The report so freely circulated within
the past year that the American Bankers
Association will take care Of Becker and
allow him a monthly pension Of $500 is
still believed by many persons. The noted
forger IS non-committal on that point,
however. He will not affirm or deny the
story that .overtures have been made to
him by the Bankers Association.
Becker is about 65 years old. His So
journ in prison has materially altered his
physique, but his brain is as active as 1T
was quarter of a century ago. During
his Imprisonment at San Quentin Becker
has not been idle, neither has he been
compelled to soil his hands. During War
den Aguirre's regime Becker used to de-
vote his time to pen sketches and the
homes Of the prison officials are filled
with specimens of his handiwork. Becker
was good to his friends and would ac-
commodate them at most any time on
any kind Of work. Nothing baff1ed him,
from q sketch from life to the alteration
of a document. Not more than a few
months ago he altered a diploma for a
lege because her name was misspelled on
a high school certificate She wished to
enter the University of California, but on
the sheepskin the letter ~ appeared in
stead Of ''u." The certificate was intrust-
ed TO Becker and within fifteen minutes
he had corrected it.
In speaking of the alleged pension by
the bankers, Becker said:
Well the papers have it that I am to re-
ceive all the way from $500 a month $4,000
per year. Some people assert that l am going
to Chicago 10 work in OF the large banks
having been engaged to detect forged drafts
That story is absolutely untrue. No such offer
has ever been made me. / could do the work
all right. but don't you suppose the bankers
would be afraid of me? They would fear that
while I was passing of the bad paper
might conveniently overlook a large draft.
am a pretty old and want my
freedom the balance of my days. OF course
still believe | could make the bankers make
good" on the pension idea. A man can do a
lot Of harm with little acid. pulp. India ink
and penknife il he knows how and is so in
clined. My intention is to quit the business
though.
Charles Becker arrived at San Quen-
tin in 1898. He has been a most exem-
plary convict and has received all of his
credits, thus having to serve only about
five years. He was convicted of fleeing
a San Francisco bank out of $4,000 by
means of a raised check.
The San Francisco call., 1903-09-26
MOURN AS DEAD
LIVING RELATIVE
>-
Ohio Family Hears From
a Long Missing
Member.
Special Dispatch to The Call.

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio, Sept. 25-That
truth is stranger than fiction is again ex-
emplified in the remarkable story of the
life of Robert Reid of this city, who for
fifty years has been mourned by relatives
here as dead. Reid left in 1916 for
California to seek his fortune. Time
passed and his relatives heard moth
ing from him. After the lapse of many
years he was given up for dead.
Recently an advertisement asking for
the whereabouts of Robert Reid was in
serted in a San Francisco paper 1t
brought an answer. In letter received
here from Reid the missing man tells
little about himself. From the history he
gives of his parents. brothers and sisters,
there can be no mistake as to his Identity.
He writes that he has been known among
the Indians as "Shokum Bort" which
means strong man. Relatives expect him
here in few days, when a reunion will
be held. Robert Reid's address is given
as Prairie City, Grant County Oregon.
The San Francisco call., 1903-09-26
ARGUMENT WINS
4 HIGH TRIBUTE
Justice AlverstOne Com
pliments an Ameri-
can Lawyer.
Alaskan Boundary Commis-
sion Hears Analyzation
Of a Treaty.

LONDON. Sept. 25-David 7. Watson
Of Pittsburg. of counsel for the American
side, continued at to-day's session of the
Alaskan Boundary Commission his analy-
zation Of the treaty OF 1875.
Alexander Begg, the unofficial repre-
sentative Of British Columbia. asked the
commission to-day 10 give an answer to
his application TO be heard. which will be
denied. He roundly denounced the action
Of Great Britain in running line through
Portland Channel instead of north, up
Clara Strait to the ffty-sixth degree, the
effect Of which was to leave a large
stretch Of territory indisputably in Amer
lean possession
During the afternoon Mr.. Watson dis
cussed the question OF the existence Of a
mountain chain along the coast, declaring
II was quite clear that the negOtiatOrs Of
the treaty proceeded with the assumption
that there was a continuous dominant
range around all the elements. Mr. Wat
son said there was no such range.
IF such a range existed as depicted on
the maps" interjected A B. Aylesworth
Of Canadian counsel, I'VE would not be
here
Proceeding. Mr.. Watson claimed that
Great Britain argued that the treaty did
not settle the boundary line. but left it
10 be ascertained.
Chief Justice .Alverstone says he did not
understand the British argument. Ameri-
can counsel considered Lord Alverstone' $
statement 10 indicate that he disregards
what is considered to be the main feature
Of the British contention. Lord Alver-
stone made a few remarks indicating that
he was impressed by Mr.. Watson 5
speech. finally remarking:
Without wishing TO fiatter YOU. yours
is a powerful argument"
The San Francisco call., 1903-09-26
BRITAIN GIVES WARNING.
Government Believes That Demands
for Reforms Must Be Obeyed.

LONDON, Sept. 25.-It was stated at
the Foreign Office to-day that Sir Nicho-
las O'Conor the British ambassador at
Constantinople had been instructed to in
form the Porte that neither Turkey nor
Bulgaria must expect support from the
British Government in resisting openly or
secretly the execution of the reforms pro-
posed for Macedonia as already promul-
gated that the reforms, in the opinion
of the British Government, were the min
imum of what was required; that the
steps taken to give effect to them, even
making allowance for the difficulties of
the situation. were lamentably made
quate, and that far more prompt and
more effective measures for this purpose
were required than had hitherto been
adopted by the Turkish authorities.
The Bulgarian Government received a
similar intimation
The San Francisco call., 1903-09-26
PRISON CELL
Is OCCUPIED
BY MINISTER
Deserts His Family and
Elopes With Member
Of His Flock.
Woman Dies in Los Angeles
Under Rather Suspicious
Circumstances.
Rev. D. Whalen, Former Pastor of
Baptist Church in New York,
Becomes Involved in Sc
rious Trouble.
Special Dispatch to The Call.

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 25.-Rev. D.
Whalen, until eight months ago pastor of
a Baptist church at Prattsburg, n. Y,
occupies cell tonight in the city jail
He has confessed that when he left
Prattsburg he eloped with Mrs James H.
Clark. a member of his church, and that
he deserted wife and four children: He
will be held until the authorities Of the
New York town can be communicated
with and decide what action they will
take. 1t is possible that he may be ex-
tradited TO New York and tried there on
a felony charge. The woman who gave
up home, family and honor for him died
in this city August e. She was Ill only
twelve hours and until now no suspicion
existed that her death was not due to
natural causes, but in the light of more
recent developments the circumstances
attending her death will be as thoroughly
investigated as is possible after the lapse
, of so many weeks.
Whalen appeared here about seven
months ago. accompanied by the woman,
who was only 20 years of age and very
handsome. He introduced her as his
wife. They were welcomed into the work
and meetings of the Woman's Christian
Temperance Union and substantially as
sisted for Whalen had money. He
took up the work of the Volunteers of
America and became a prominent figure
at their meetings.
Whalen has frequently preached here
and tonight was to have led a religious
meeting, but his arrest made that i'm
possible. Between his religious engage
/ ments he peddled preparation for the
hair which he manufactured himself.
The couple had rooms al the headquarters
of the Volunteers and Whalens supposed
/ wife took active part in religious and
] temperance work throughout the city.
/ During the latter part Of August she
cidentally fell at her room and within
twelve hours she was dead. 1t was
( Whalen who stated to the physicians that
she had fallen and injured herself. He
caused the death certificate to be made
! out in the name of Mrs. Whalen and it
/ was so entered upon the Health Depart
ment records. Ten days later Whalen
wrote to members of his own family in
/ New York informing them that the wo-
man had died of kidney disease. He
gave no address to which they could send
a reply They tried to find him through
the church people with whom they
thought he might be associated, but fail
ing they applied to the police.
For more than a week officers have
been looking for Whalen, but he kept out
of sight and after his arrest 1t was
learned that friends had informed him
that officers were inquiring for him.
! After he had been placed in jail he con-
. fessed the elopement and the desertion
of his family. He took the matter coolly
and even intimated that there is no law
by which he can now be punished AS
to the death of the woman he says that
it was due entirely to natural causes and
that investigation will so disclose.
The San Francisco call., 1903-09-26
DANIEL KEVANE SUES
OUT WRIT OF MANDATE
Papers Are Ordered Served on Con-
troller Colgan and the Four State
Bank Commissioners.

Daniel j. Kevane sued out a writ OF
mandate against State Bank COmmis-
siOners Barham, High, Silver and Dams
moor and State Controller COlgan yester-
day. The papers were put in the hands
Of the Sheriff for service.
The writ is the outcome Of Kevane's
proceedings in the Sacramento courts to
get back the office of Bank Commissioner
from which he was Ousted by action OF
the Legislature
q : : : : : + : q
Thomas Byrne. Frank Wratten. George
Brown A j. Rocker. Thomas Rovven and
Lewis Nye IN citizens clothes to accom-
pany him 10 HaFbOr View The officers
waited until the fight had commenced
then demanded admittance and being re-
fused battered down the door. In the
meantime most of the spectators roa1t,
their escape. but the police succeeded in
arresting the two principals and ten sDac-
tators. With the two PRINCIPALS Fro',l,
Cannon. V. w Sloane. c. G. Rickaf,.
Martin Johnson. o. b. Turman. # C,afIa
A. l. Fuller. James BacigaluDi. n III
Fairfax and James Griffin were taksn me
custody. -'e0
The San Francisco call., 1903-09-26
HEAVY FIRING CAUSES
A SEWER TO CAVE IN
Board of Public Works Will Recon
struct Drainage Outlet at
Bakers Beach.

AS a result of the recent heavy firing In
target practice at the Preside the Board
of Public Works will be compelled to re-
construct the outlet sewer at Bakers
Beach The concussion has caused the
solid rock through which the sewer ran
to cave in for distance of several hun
dred yards.
1t will be necessary to blast the rock
in order to remove tons of debris which
has choked the sewer. The board will
have the work done by it's employees, who
will be taken off work in other parts of
the city The expense of the work, for
which the City Engineer is now preparing
plans, will be large and the United States
Government will be called upon to pay
for the damage.
The San Francisco call., 1903-09-26
REPRoAcH TO cHR1sTENDoM.
John Redmond Writes of the Atroci-
ties in Macedonia.

LONDON, Sept. 26.-John Redmond. the
Irish leader, in a letter to H. A. Law Ma
tionalist Member of Parliament for Done
gal, with reference to the atrocities in
Macedonia, says:
at is surely great reproach to Chris
tendon that these infamies are possible.
l wish it were in the power of Ireland to
make her voice heard on the side of JUS
tice and liberty in the Balkans"
The San Francisco call., 1903-09-26
eashes His Throat With Razor.

held to answer on charge of felony, at
tempted suicide in the County Jail to-
day by gashing his throat with a razor
He lacked the nerve to cut deep enough
however, and was placed in solitary con-
finement after his wounds were dressed,
The San Francisco call., 1903-09-26
BULGARIA
is GIVEN
WARNING
Continued From Page 1, Column 4.

lister has had several conferences with
Tewfik Pasha, the Turkish Foreign Min
lister, concerning the settlement of the
Magelssen affair and the American claims
against the Sutan's Government. While
definite conclusions have not been report
ed, no hitch has occurred in the negotia-
tions. On the ground that all is quiet at
Beirut it is not unlikely that the Porte is
pressing for the withdrawal of the Amer
lean ships, but no direct request of this
nature has been preferred to the authori-
ties here.
The San Francisco call., 1903-09-26
Railroad Constructor Dies.

EAST LAS VEGAS, \. NJ. Sept. 25.-
John McCallum, general foreman of the
grading camp Of B. Lantry & Sons, who
are building the Santa Fe cutoff. died
suddenly to-day from apoplexy. He was
one Of the best known railroad construct
OTIS in the West. His home was at Strong
CITY. Kans.
The San Francisco call., 1903-09-26
South End Club Incorporates.

The South End Rowing, Club was in
corporated yesterday. The> directors of
the organization, which is incorporated to
enable it to erect handsome clubhouse,
are ]. E. Scullys ]. B. Feehan, A. H.
Melletz, f. r. Deremer. T. 1. Fitzpat-
rick, J. p. Foley T. F. Barry, Ike Tuch-
Ter and w. H. Mead.
The San Francisco call., 1903-09-26

AN RAFAEL, Sept. 25.-After hav-
ing been incarcerated in the State
~ penitentiary at San Quentin for
- seven prison years Charles II.
Becker, who is considered TO be
one of the cleverest forgers in the world.
viii, on Monday next, breathe the air of
freedom. Becker will be discharged from
The San Francisco call., 1903-09-26
NEW TURKISH WARSHIP.
Cruiser Named for the Sultar
Launched in England.

LONDON, Sept 25.-A new Turkish
cruiser. named Abdul Hamid, was
launched at Elswick- k-on-t the-Tyne to-day
She will carry twenty-five quick-firing
guns. Her length is 800 feet and her dis
placement of 1850 tons. Her speed is to be
% knots
The San Francisco call., 1903-09-26
Miners Leave for cripnls Greek.

WALLACE. Idaho, Sept. 25.-A car con-
tanning seventy Coeur d'Alene miners left
here to-day for Cripple Creek, Colo, to
take the places of the striking miners
there. Most Of them are AIissourians.
who were brought here during the labor
troubles of 1899
The San Francisco call., 1903-09-26
A Guaranteed cure for Piles.

Itching. Blind, Bleeding or Protruding Piles.
Your druggist viii refund y5ur money If PAZO
OINTMENT fails tn YOU so cents
The San Francisco call., 1903-09-26
PRISON GATES TO OPEN
FOR NOTORIOUS FORGER

c. H. Becker Who SWindled San Francisco Bank Out
of Twenty Thousand Dollars by Means of Cleverly
Raised Check, Will Be Released From Prison Monday
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-12-27
THE CALICO MILLS DESTROYED;
BUSINESS SECTION in FIERY RAIN.

decided to take clinrgc OF tho trnmway
tracks. the only disputed question being
whether tlic city Would pledge itself to
the permanent operation Of the lines Or
reserve the right to permit private cor
sporatioiis To use the tracks
Nothing has impressed me more ~ my
visit to tie British Isles than the N
stercst which the leading citizens OF the
various municipalities arc taking III
problems Of government and sociology;
It must be remembered that here the
members Of the city councils receive
no pay.
The work that they do IS entirely
gratuitols and i have found that the
councils are composed Of representatives
OF all classes OF society. Many OF tho
successful business men, professional men
and educators arc to be found devot-
ing portion Of their, time. sometimes y
Very considerable portion, to the work
Of tho city.
They attend meetings serve on COM m,
mlttees and carry on. invcst lgations. ana
Shnd their recompense not In n salary.
but In the honor which attaches TO me
position and in z the, consciousness that
they arc giving something OF value TO
their fellows. ft " ig5E syft sSgi.
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-12-27

Many Persons Hrrt@by Flying
Missiles During the
I t2.5t;r Darkness, 800
THE NERO URY GOES DOWN
(Dy Associated Press.)

NEW YORK, Dec. -26.--A driving snow.
storm, . accompanied by furious squalls
Ethat At times rose to almost hurricane
force, struck the&clty early today. Low
nring, black clouds pressing down OH a
bark or sea fog and the dense character
Of the snowfall combined to produce for
nearly half an hour such deep darkness
that lights we're lit,aSln Ill the the down
town streets ana along, the river fronts.
During this period many ferry boats
ana other. craft lost.ttheir bearings CONF
plctely and the llarbor resoundcd with
the Whistles Of vessels cautiously cropping
their way through tho gloom. Ono
Brooklyn boat, heading for tho Manhat-
tan side, found herself off tho Battery,
several blocks away from her slip. Ocean
steamers bound In ana out were com
pelled To slip and Ito to until tho dark
ness lifted.
The ferry boat John g. Carlisle, carry
ing Immigrants from Ellis Island. crashed
into the steamboat Taurus, off tho Bat
terry, but both vessels escaped with slight
damage.
Tho darkness lifted almost rs quickly
as It settled down, and the snow was
succeeded by clearing skies. high gales
and rapidly falling temperature the
mercury going down fifteen degrees,
from 81 to 10, within three hours. So
fierce was tho gale during the afternoon
that many pedestrians were thrown down
and IN some Instances were seriously in
,urcu. Around Cape Fatiron.' ht
broadway and Twenty-third Street. tho
wind ragged In gusts of almost cyclonic
fury. Here ono man was dangerously
.xr,t ia, rtsnt ont
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-12-27
COLOMBIA
IMPATIENT
FOR REPLY |..,|
Minister. Calls Twice on.
Secretary Hay.
HAS NOT INDICATED
WHEN WILL ANSWER
Unless the Reply Is Satisfactory.
Both General Reyes and Or.
11crran Will Leave.
WANT TO REFER IT
TO THE HAGUE.
Admiral Cogl,lan Denies That
WANT TO REFER IT
TO THE HAGUE
Admiral Cogl,lan Denies That
He Landed Force on Colon
bia Terl.itoryTfe Dixie to
Sail for Colon With Six
Hundred Marincs-Dc-
stroycrs to be Sent. y
(By Associated Press.)

10y hhboClhkCu I'Ieso1
r WASHINGTON, u. c.. December 20
Unless the United States. in the reply
which Secretary Hay will make to the
note OF General Reyes, accords Colombia
that measure OF satisfaction to which.
from her point ofview. she feels herself
entitled. with respect to Panama, both
General Reyes and DR.. Herran will leave
tonight. While dlsnvowng any inten-
stiongof bringing undue pressure 10 bear on
Secretary Hay for {, speedy reply to the
note which General Reyes has filed In
behalf OF his government. both lie aud
DR. TIerran arc most anxious to be ap-
prised or the Secretarys conclusions at
the earliest possible moment.
COULD NOT SEE HAY.
FIJI with the view of obtaining light OH
this point, DIR. Herran. the Colombian
charge, to-day twice called at the resi-
denca of Mr.. Hay. but was unable to sec
him on account Of his continued illness.
The hope Is entertained both by Cen
eral Reyes and DR.. lIerran that in the
event of a refusal by MIR. Hay to admit
their contentious, the United States may
agree as a last resort 10 a submission OF
the proposition to Tho Hague Court OF
Arbitration. y,
in ACCORDANCE WITH TREATY.
II was pointed out that the Hing OF
the note was in accordance with the treaty
of 1915 between the United States ana
colombia, one of the provisions of which
gives the contracting party feeling az
grIeyed at the action Of the other the
right to protest. with the further stipula-
tion that IA reply shall be Forthcoming.
tits said that Mr.. Hay has not indicated
when he will make answer TO he Golom'
hin pote
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-12-27
IJc Says That Both Gas and
Water Are Made Much
Cheaper.
WHAT LONDON lis NOW
DOING THIS MATTER
Many Cities Assuming Control
LOT. Their Street ailway Sys-
temsL eading NJ eli aDevot-
'...t ing Themselves to NUM- y.
cipal Affairs Without
Any Compensation.
BY W. ]. BRYAN.

/.
.. Especial Cable to The Tlmes-D lspatcllo Il
(. LONDON. Dec. 26-Let us hope that the
/ time Is near at hand when the. successful
business mem in the United States, in.
stead fof continuing thcir Accommodations
10 tho very end of life will be satisfied
with q competency and. when this is
secured, give to thelr country the BENG
{ fit Of their experience, their intelligence
and their conscience, as many Of the
business men Of Issglaa sotland and
ireland are doing. as fhoW r-h by the de-
velopmcnt. OF sn,unicipa ownership in the
British isles. ~
Glasgow. owns and operates It's water
system. In this case, however, he water
instead Of being furnished at 80 much
per thousand gallons, Is paid forEby n tax
upon the property. si5
f& Glasgow owns Its gasS plant and fur-
nishcs gas to consumers at about 50 cents
per thousand cubic feet.
The stramways are owned and operated
by the municipality. The service Is ex-
tcellent, and the fare depends on tho
distance travelled. At certain hours of the
day, there are special cars that carry
-mer from ono end OF the city
to the other for one cent.
London is also making progress In tho
work Of municpalizing it's public service.
The County Council is taking over the
swater&service and Is also furnishing to
some extent electricity.
Just now the County Council Is putting
down tramways and preparing to follow
In the footsteps of Glasgow In the matter
OF furnishing transit for its citizens
Nottingham has furnished gas to It's
citizens for more than thirty years. The
price of gas has been reduced from time
to time, until 1t is now about 80 cents
per thousand for private citizens, and
even at this low rate the gas plant pays
into the city treasury Il net profit OF
about $1aO.0OO n year 1t Is only about
five years since the city entered upon tho
work OF furnishing electricity but the
profit from that source is now nearly
$500 annually.
): The city has taken over the tramways
and, notwiths tanding that 1t has raised
the hours Of labor, improved the SER
vice, extended the lines and reduced the
fares. II has now derived about 100000
profit from tho earnings Of the tram
ways. Nottingham has n population of
about 9iO.O00. Birmingham furnishes water
and light to Its people and has just de-
cided to take charge of the tranlway SER
Vice, 1t already owns the tracks but
has been ALLOWING private corporations to
run the cars. The people have decided
to operate the lines In the future.
GREAT INTEREST SHOWN
In Belfast J found that the city had
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-12-27
TERRIFIC AT BOSTON.
Wild Storm Causes Number OF
Marine Disasters.
(By AsSOCiated PIeSS.

BOSTON, MASS, Dec, W,--After one az
Tia mildcst Christmas days for many
Years a Wild winters storm broke. over
New England to-day an q a. usual WIS
accountable fora number OF marine d!sns-
lcrs.
iIp to Z o'clock Tonight three wrecks
had been reported whilo several other
vessels had been IN distress during the day,
inc OF tho wrecks, n dredge, which SUNK
resulted in the loss Of three men, but in
Tho ease Of the other two, the sinking OF
Tho steamer Kiown off Boston light and
The wreck of tho barge John ". Mnekuy
on Watch Hill, II, l., everyone was saved,
Reports from Maine md New llnmp-
shire show that the storm has delayed
train service tsonsiderubly.8 44M