davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The San Francisco call., 1903-01-15
WOULD PREVENT
ASPHYX|AT|ONS
Mayor Schmitz Exam
ines Into Case Of Gas
Sufocation.
Will Ask the Grand Jury
to Investigate the
Matter.

The unusually large number of asphyxi-
ations which have occurred in cheap
lodging houses in various parts of the
city has led Mayor SchnitZ to undertake
an investigation. 1t is the Mayors belief
that in many instances the APPROPRIATIONS
have been caused by criminal careless
ness or worse on the part of the proprie-
tors in practicing economy at the ex-
pense of the lives of their guests. The
Mayor began his investigation yesterday
and learned sufficient to warrant him in
calling the attention of the Grand Jury
TO the matter.
Mayor SchmitZ was prompted to make
an examination by the fact that two
deaths from gas suffocation have occurred
recently in the st. David's House on How
ard street, and yesterday morning a third
fatality was almost added to the list j..
Haljes, the proprietor of the house, was
summoned TO the Mayors office. He ad-
rnitted that he had been accustomed TO
turning the gas on at the meter at night
and off in the morning a daybreak in the
interest of economy
The Mayor was so impressed with the
danger TO human life resulting from this
practice of regulating the gas supply that
he at once decided TO ask the Grand Jury
TO hold an investigation with a view TO
luTIneF dSDnNXldIlOnS. lie Will
also request the Supervisors to pass an
ordinance prohibiting lodging-house pro-
prietors from endangering the lives of
their guests
Ernest Stamm, who was a soldier in the
First Regiment under General Shafter
and who has also been employed as
packer in the Quartermaster' Depart
ment of the United States army, is the
latest victim of gas in the St. Davids
1s 70 hi
o'clock Tuesday night, and yesterday
morning he was found in an unconscious
condition, due to the inhalation of gas.
He was removed at once to the Central
Emergency Hospital and is now on the
way to recovery.
Stamm's case had scarcely been attend
ed to when two sailors were brought to
the hospital in an unconscious con-
tion from a lodging-house at S14
Sansome street Both were suffering
from carbon monoxide poisoning. They
had been recently employed on a vessel
which is now at Port Costa. They hired
a room in the lodging -housesat 10 o'clock
Tuesday forenoon and it is not known
when they went to bed. At any rate,
when they were found yesterday morning
they were both unconscious and their
room was filled with gas. They were in a
very precarious condition when they ar
rived at the hospital. but it Is believed
that they will recover.
This is not the first occasion that the
lodging house keepers method of regulat-
ing the gas supply has been subjected to
an investigation During December of
last year o. NJ. Tupper. inspector of wa
ter and light. at the suggestion of Mayor
Schnitz examined into case of asphyxi-
alton at the St. David's House. In the
report which he made at that time he
suggested that an ordinance should be
passed requiring the gas company to keep
a lock on the gaseock at the meter. His
suggestion, however, was not followed.
The San Francisco call., 1903-01-15
TESTIFY FOR DEFENDANT.

He further testified that on the follow
ing day Lieutenant Densmore telephoned
to him and requested further leave, and
Mccoy referred him to Major Van Ors-
dale, who was the commanding officer.
It was admitted that Densmore called UP
Major Van Orsdale. He Will probably be
called upon later to testify in Lieutenant
Densmore's behalf
Private Cassidy was the next witness
introduced by Lieutenant Murphy, who
questioned him at length on the writing
of the letter which his client dictated to
Cassidy and later addressed to Colonel
Coolidge. Cassidy stated that Lieutenant
Densmore dictated the letter to him and
that he subsequently read it over to see
II 1t was correct.
At the conclusion of Cassidys testimony
Lieutenant Murphy announced that two
OF his witnesses had not put In an ap-
pearance, and he asked that the case be
postponed until next Monday. The court
then adjourned until that time.
Much sympathy is felt for Lieutenant
Densmore at the Preside and in other
circles, where he is very popular. He
has an enviable record as an officer of
the army He served in the war with
Spain and for the last three years he has
been fighting in the Philippines. His rec
ord as brave and efficient officer ranks
with the highest, and this will in all prob
ability be taken into consideration by the
court when 1t comes to pass judgment
upon the accused officer.
The San Francisco call., 1903-01-15

tion was that he was sick at a downtown
hotel during all the time he was absent
from duty
The testimony of Clerk Squires closed
the case for the prosecution. Lieutenant
Densmore's counsel then called Lieuten-
ant Mccoy, recently transferred from the
Seventh to the Twenty-seventh Infantry.
Mccoy was to have sailed on the Sheri-
dan for the Philippines, but he was held
over to appear as a witness for Lieuten-
ant Densmore. Mccoy testified that he
was adjutant at the time Lieutenant
Densmore returned from his first leave
on or about December Is. and that on or
about that day he gave Densmore per-
mission TO remain in town until the fol-
lowing day, for the reason that Lieuten-
ant. Densnore did not have any bedding
or other comforts for his camp.
The San Francisco call., 1903-01-15
FATHER TELLS SAD TALE
OF FILIAL INGRATITUDE
William Coulter Deeds Property to
His Two Sons and Then Goes
To A I'm shn11Sa

A sad case of flial ingratitude was un-
covered yesterday in the office of the
Health Board. when William Coulter, an
old man, was sent to the Almshouse al
his own request. In making his applica-
tion Coulter states that his wife, aged 73
was now in the institution, having been
sent there from the City and County Hos
pita1.
Coulter said that his wife had induced
hin to sign over their property at 256 and
258 Dore street to their two sons William
and James. and after the latter acquired
the property they had no more use for
their aged parents.
The old man says that one Of the sons
lives in the lower fiat and the upper rents
for $22 per month. William is a bartender
and James is employed in the glass works
the elder Coulter says.
The San Francisco call., 1903-01-15
The Prettiest Yet

Are the shapes and finishes of our new
frames just received. Exquisite designs
in oval. square and other odd shapes, fin
ished in dead black, grays and greens
with the daintiest gold top ornaments and
festoonings fitted complete with gold
beaded mats to match, at Sanborn, Vail
& Co.'S. 741 Market street.
The San Francisco call., 1903-01-15
Accused of Looting Safe.

Henry Luhr5ng. Caud McCusker and
Frank Smith. who are accused Of loot
ing the safe in the grocery of Becker
& Mesenburg, Sutter and Taylor streets.
where Luhring was employed, were in
structed and arraigned before Judge
Cabaniss yesterday. The case was con-
tfnued till Saturday
The San Francisco call., 1903-01-15
Elect New Officers.

At the annual meeting of the California
Society of the Sons of the American Rev
olution held Tuesday evening the follow
ing officers for the ensuing year were
elected
President, Giles II. Gray; senior vice presi-
cent. Colonel A. d. Cutler: junior vice presi-
dent. A. G. Eells; secretary, Edward Bounell
treasurer. G. H. Warner; registrar, Colonel A.
:. Hubbard: marshal Byron Mauzy; board OF
managers-W. J. Dutton. z. NJ. Adams H. H.
Wood Colonel J. c. Currier, j. A. Hosmer and
G. L. Howe.
The San Francisco call., 1903-01-15
Mofftt Found Guilty.

Samuel H Moffitt. captain of the steam
ship Tucapel. was yesterday found guilty
in the United States District Court of the
charge of having allowed an allen to es-
cape from his vessel before his case had
been investigated by the immigration Of
ficers The indictment specified that on
June 80, 1901, Moff1tt allowed one Rodrego
MARQUEE of Mazatlan. Mexico, to land.
Judge de Haven will pronounce sentence
Saturday.
The San Francisco call., 1903-01-15
A Shopping Crowd.

Even If you don't want to buy. you will
be interested in seeing the big store and
the crowds of people who are picking up
odds and ends. in draperies, furniture,
carpets, matungs. ETC.. at Pattosien' 5
great odds and ends sale. People are get
ting the odd parts of broken suits and
remnants at just half price Sixteenth
and Mission streets.
The San Francisco call., 1903-01-15
Elect Hecht President

At the regular meeting of the Fire Com
missiopers- yesterday forenoon, Commits
sloner NJ H. Hecht was elected chairman.
He was nominated by Commissioner Par
ry and received unanimous vote of the
board.
Chief Engineer Sullivan submitted a re-
port and recommendation showing that
for the ensuing year there will be re-
quired about 1000 more hydrants. This
was fully approved and confirmed.
The San Francisco call., 1903-01-15
Takes Stand Against Cruelty.

Senator Perkins has written to Secre-
tary HOlbrook Of the Humane Society that
he viii strenuously oppose the proposed
ia which aims TO make it legal to keep
live stock In cars for forty hours without
food or water. instead Of tWenty-eight
hours as heretofore.
The San Francisco call., 1903-01-15
Denies Existence of LOTTERY

Mayor Schmitz is in receipt of a let
ter from W. E. Won Johannsen. Consul
General of Costa Rica, stating that there
is no lottery in that city and the en-
deavor TO sell tickets for the same is a
fraud.
The San Francisco call., 1903-01-15

%r< HE prosecution in the case Of
Lieutenant George A Densmore.
Tenth Infantry, now being tried
n by court-martial at the Presidio
on charges Of being intoxicated
while wearing the uniform of the United
States army and failure to report for
duty without leave of absence, closed its
side of the case yesterday morning, and
Lieutenant John b. Murphy of the artil-
lery corps, who is Densmore's attorney.
began to submit testimony behalf of
the defense.
The court-martial was called to order
promptly at 1O:40 o'clock yesterday morn
ing. with Colonel Edmund Rice as presi-
dent and Captain Mcintyre of the Nine
teenth Infantry sitting as judge advocate.
The prosecution introduced its last wit
ness in the person of Frank r. Squires,
chief clerk of the Langham Hotel. Mr..
Squire was requested to produce his hotel
register and he brought the big book
with him. On December IS, % and "a the
name of George A. Densmore was regis
tered, but Clerk Squires could not swear
that Lieutenant Densmore was the man
who occupied a room in the hotel on
those dates When called upon to identify
could not say whether or not he was the
man who registered at the hotel on those
dates
ARGUE ON SIGNATURES.
A question from Judge Advocate McIn-
tyre as to whether or not the signature
compared with letter written and signed
by Densmore brought forth vigorous OBJ
jections from Lieutenant Murphy, Dens-
mores counsel, and Captain McIntyre
he
ever, decided to compare the signatures
themselves. and this they proceeded to
do without passing any comments on the
signatures The letter in question was
one which the lieutenant sent to Colonel
Coolidge, the commanding officer of his
detachment. explaining the reasons why
Densmore failed to report for duty at the
proper time. Densmores written explana-
o Observation-Disclosures" o
The San Francisco call., 1903-01-15
Removal Notice.

Or. Barksn. Dr. Stillman and DR.. Costi-
gan have moved their Offices 20 the new
Mutual Savings Bank aulding, Market [
and Geary streets
The San Francisco call., 1903-01-15

II has been said that ALI whisky is good "
Put Jesse Moore" is better than others
Found at all frst-class places.
The San Francisco call., 1903-01-15

The Sultan of Turkey Is extremely fond
of his children, for whom he has a tiny
theater wherein they play small parts for
his Majesty's delectation.
The San Francisco call., 1903-01-15

Royal Worcester Corsets. style 446, at 75c.
Chester f. Wright. s Geary St. upstairs.
The San Francisco call., 1903-01-15
Flowers

And the flowers are natural as
can be. Splendid for decorating,
but think of
ChrySaHthemHnlS, 25c dozen.
II big beauties in yellow, pink,
lavender, red or variegated colors.
They regularly sell at 75c a dozen
and are fine value at that price.
Now just as good as ever, but we
are going TO close out 700 of them
at 25c a Dozen 1t IS a remarkable
opportunity.
HANGING BASKETS, H.75-Fine for
decorating parlors or any room in the
house; green with palms, leaves
grasses, ferns and moss.
FLOWER BASKETS $250-Of roses,
violets, sweet peas. begonia and other
flowers. These have hanging vines.
The San Francisco call., 1903-01-15
ESPECIALLY FOR CHILDREN.

Adams Irish Moss Cough Balsam-
For Group and Infantile coughs contains no
narcotics OF stupefying drugs. 25c. soc. Drug
gists.
The San Francisco call., 1903-01-15

PUC HE prosecution in the case of
Lieutenant George A. Densmore
Tenth Infantry, now being tried
u by a court-martial at the Presidio
The San Francisco call., 1903-01-15
ADVERTISEMENT.

From week to week our store Is crowded
more and more with seekers after our spe-
cfaIs so Il Is evident are giving the
people what they most desire. Here 70
another good list for
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1903-05-12
A DISAPPOINTED DOG.
He Was n Hunter and the Cash Ball
in the Dry Goods store
Fooled Him.

A young lady went into large dry
goods store on shopping expedition
having for companion big, hand
some dog. He was a pointer, and the
manner in which he trotted sedately
along and kept out of everybody's way
showed that he was as intelligent as
handsome. The young lady having
made her purchase, the shop-girl put
the check and the money in wooden
ball and sent it along the cash rail-
way" relates Golden Days.
At the first ''whiz" the dog pricked
up his ears, and the next instant he
started after the ball as if he were
morally sure it was some new kind of
bird. Past the crowds of Christmas
buyers, in and out and between hun
dreds of people, the pointer dashed
until the ball disappeared from view
Then he looked puzzled and then
Inundated, and was coming back to
his indignant mistress when the ball
came whizzing on its return trip.
This time the dog expressed his feel
ings by short yelps as he few after his
game, and this time he took the short
route along the counter and fetched
Up in front of the shop girl. leaving
behind him a trail of dismayed shop
pers. Then the bail was given him to
investigate, and a more disappointed
dog was never seen.
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1903-05-12
BILLIONS OF CIGARS SMOKED.
Interesting Facts Revealed by Fig
ures In the Report of Internal
Revenue commissioner.

In one year 6,s05, 749, PCS cigars were
consumed by the cigar smokers of the
United States. For every one of the
365 days of the year, beginning June
30, 1901, and ending June 30, 1902, 49,
919,S62 cigars were consumed. Or. it
might be said, in every second of the
"A hours, comprising each day, 21s
stubs were thrown away. There were
90 cigars consumed for every man.
woman and child in the United States,
says a Washington correspondent of
the Chicago Inter Ocean.
The information upon which these
figures are based was cleaned from
the annual report for the fiscal year
1902 of the commissioner of internal
revenue, recently issued by the United
States treasury department at Wash
ington. The estimates are made upon
the receipts from the sale of revenue
stamps for the payment of tax on
domestic and imported manufactures
Withdrawn from warehouses for con-
sumption.
In order to place it more readily
within the grasp of the reader. if the
entire number consumed in the year
were placed end to end they would
reach distance of 400, 465 miles. which
is more than 10 times the circumfer-
ence of the earth.
The average yearly increase in the
number consumed for the past five
calendar years is 573,233, 161, or more
than half billion a year. If the
present rate of increase continues. ten
years hence, in 1912, the people of this
country will be smoking at the rate of
12,O00,O0o,O0 cigars annually.
As enormous as the number NAV
seem. the cigars smoked last year do
I not represent one-third of all the to-
bacco consumed. The consumption of
cigarettes alone is estimated at the
approximate number of 1855. 176. 100.
From this source the government real
lied in tax y, 6s7, 1898.
The number of pounds of tobacco
and snuff, which does not include CT
CARS and cigarettes, produced last
year was 29s.O4s.339 and 1851, I36. re-
spectlyely, making Il total of 32S. 1884,
42o pounds. Deducting the amount ex-
ported, 13,11s,431 pounds, and adding
the amount imported, 373.47s pounds,
gives Sl5,719,475, which represents APP
Proximately the number of pounds of
tobacco and snuff consumed IN the
United States last year
In the fiscal year 1901 the production
of tobacco and snuff was 320.O19. 531
pounds. The increase in 1909 was
s,444,9s7 pounds.
The increase in the quantity of to-
bacco and snuff withdrawn for con-
sumption was 4,925,915 pounds; the in
crease in tobacco and snuff exported
was 3,594,301 pounds, and the increase
IN tobacco and snuff imported was
| $3.50 pounds.
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1903-05-12
FEATs OF CHICKEN FANcIERs
By Intelligent Breeding They Have
Produced Fowls of All Sizes
aAd CoIoFs.

The American Standard of Perfec-
ton as drafted and copyrighted by the
American Poultry association, con-
tains the names of 1I6 varieties of
fowls, lis of which are due to the de-
velopment of man. God made only
one-a homely, wild thing, which
made it's home in the jungle along
with the rest of primeval creation,
says a writer on the Great American
Barnyard, in Leslie's Monthly. By in
telligent breeding fanciers have pro-
duced fowls, of all sizes, from the
diminutive bantam to the mammoth
bronze turkey; one tiny bit of feath-
cred vanity, weighing only a few
ounces, and the other bulky fowl
weighing from 40 to 60 pounds-as
much as a half-grown boy. Results
equally wonderful have been accom-
plished in color effects. There are
varieties in red, black, brown and
white, with nearly all possible COM
binations, beside buff and Andalusian
blue. The fanciers have shown that
they can lace, stripe, spangle or bar
the feathers of their birds in any way
to satisfy their individual fancy. In
fact, about all they have left undone
is to put their initials on the feathers
of their birds.
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1903-05-12
POLAR BEARS EASILY TAKEN.
with the Modern Repeating Riae the
Great Animals Are Killed
without Danger.

The animal par excellence, which
the hunter, the amateur Arctic trav-
eler and the young explorer hopes
and dreams of killing, is the polar
bear, writes Com. Robert E. Peary,
in Leslie's Monthly. The reason for
this is the magnificent trophy which
the great white skin makes. This
feeling was no less strong centuries
ago than it is now, for we read that
one of the early Icelandic sea rovers
to Greenland quarreled with and
killed his bosom companion because
he had slain large bear, instead of
leaving that honor to his chief With
the modern repeating rife the bear
stands no chance against the hunter
no matter under what conditions they
may meet, and if he is hunted in the
native way, with the assistance of
dogs, there is hardly more excite
ment than in killing musk-oxen. ex-
cept for the wild, helter-skelter dash
over the ice to overtake the animal
after the dogs strike the hot scent.
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1903-05-12
OYSTERS AND DISEASE.
The Green Color of Some May BE ATT
tributed to Various Causes
Not Harmful.

In a recent scientific work by Profs.
Herdman and Boyce, entitled Oysters
and Disease" they report the result of
their Investigations on the cause which
produces green oysters. Many epi-
cures prefer their oysters to have the
emerald hue, though there is a wide
spread opinion that green oysters are
not edible, says the Chicago Tribune.
The investigators arrive at the con-
clusion that there are several forms
of greenness. Copper is said to be
present in minute quantity in all oys-
tiers. 1t was found that the greenest
American oysters contained about
four times the amount of copper which
is present in the whitest American
oysters. Careful chemical examina-
ton demonstrated conclusively that
there is proportionately more copper
in the greener parts of the oysters than
in those parts which are less green.
The green color of the highly priced
Marennes oysters was found to be
produced by the presence of certain
pigment and did not depend upon the
amount of the contained copper.
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1903-05-12
FORESTRY FOR FARMERS.
suggestions for Their Guidance in
the Matter of Economy in
Timber Cutting.

The farmers of this country own
about 500,000,00O acres of woodland.
ten times the acreage of all the federal
forest reserves. Most of it consists of
small wooG lots from which the own
ers derive their timber supplies for
farm purposes.
1t was to help the farmer in caring
for his timber land that the bureau
of forestry several years ago under-
took to furnish him, without ecst. me
services of its foresters. The offer
proved popular, says a Washington
report, ano applications for assistance
have far exceeded the ability OF The
bureau, with its limited number of
trained foresters, TO answer them.
During the season just passed the
bureau has accomplished more than
ever before in putting small WOOD lots
under forest management ana in
teaching the farmer how properly to
treat has timber.
A great deal of wood is consumed
every year on the farm for fuel. posts.
poles and other uses. Ordinarily the
~1eS NAAeAA 1C uGGNS
thought as to whether he is lessen. ng
the power of his forest constantly to
yield its supplies. The result is lhat
the forest becomes poorer ana poorer
every year and less able to furnish the
wooo its owner needs. The skill the
farmer exercises in the managenls 1t
of his crops is not OF the kind tAat
enables him to manage properly his
timber. He needs tn services of a
forester.
Usually only one visit to the farm
by the bureaus expert is necessary
and this service is given without coss
to the owner. When, as occasionally
happens, second visit is needed. the
owner is required to pay the travel
ing and living expenses of the expert
while employed at the work.
The Harry Catalpa," bulletin Just
published, forms another contribu-
ton to the series of studies of Amer
lean commercial trees which the
bureau of forestry has undertaken.
The value of this publication will be
greatest in the middle west, where the
eatalpa has been planted for many
years with varying success, and where
even now it is imperfectly understood.
The farmer of the prairie states who
desires to put part of his lands into
eatalPa, either for profit in selling
posts and ties, or to supply his farm
with timber, will find in the bulletin
valuable information clearly and sim
ply given.
The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1903-05-12

The antiseptic shaving saloon is the
latest achievement in hygienic science.
says Tit-Bits. The victim is seated in
an enameled iron chair, with his neck
and shoulders enveloped in a rubber
pad that has been dipped in an anti
septic solution. Previously the razor,
soap dish, and brush have been steril-
lied by half an hours hard boiling.
Nothing is allowed to touch the face
that has not been either sterilized or
disinfected antiseptically. Even the
finger tips of the operator are dipped
in solution. Taps are turned by the
foot, and the drawers where towels
are kept are microbe-proof.