The San Francisco call., 1904-08-30
STOPS SISTER-IN-LAW'S
SUPPLY OF KEROSENE
Mrs Alexander n McVicker Decides Abolish Practice
Established by Her Husband Before He Married Her.
With Result That She Is Assaulted and Files Complaint

Prior to the marriage Of her brother,
Alexander n. McVicker, it was the
privilege of Mrs. John Bulger to go
TO his grocery, so Chesley street, and
there help herself to as much kerosene
as she might happen to need for the
artificial illumination of her home, S24
Harriet street. Such a thing as pay
ing for the coal oil never occurred to
her, 1or did he ever think of such a
thing as demanding payment for 1t.
There was tacit understanding that the
Bulger home was to be provided with
petroleum at Mr. McVicker's expense.
After the grocer took unto himself
wife and installed her in the store Mrs.
Bulger continued TO tap the kerosene
barrel until Mrs. McVicker coldly in
formed her that the liquid thus OBJ
tanned must be paid for at the pre-
vailing retail rate. When Mrs. Bulger
recovered from her indignant surprise
she appealed TO Nher brother, but that
gentleman adroitly sidestepped the is
sue. Then Mrs. Bulger went home ana
told her husband that if he had one
remaining spark of manhood ne would
exhibit il by disciplining Mrs. Nc
Wicker Mr. Bulger went to the gro
Gerry and asked Mrs. McVicker if she
realized that by cutting off from his
household its free light she was shat
tering a beautiful illustration of broth
erly love, TO say nothing or the icono-
clasm committed by abohshing Gus
tom that had become time -honored.
Mrs AIcVicker's reply. according to
the testimony Of Mr.. Bulger yesterday
before Police Judge Cabaniss. was
heavy beer glass hurled at him with
aim of such accuracy that it struck his
right side, inflicting a severe pain. Ere
he could retaliate with violence his
wife butted in and dealt Mrs. Nc
Wicker several right and left hooks on
the face, discolOring the lady's eyes
But it was Mr.. Bulger instead of his
wife whom Mrs. McVicker charged
with battery.
The Judge heard all the testimony
and then informed Mrs. McVicker,
sharp featured little woman, that it
was her husbands sister and not his
brother-in-law that she should have
filed complaint against. To which Mrs.
Bulger, large -fral-ed and muscular,
quickly responded by declaring that
she did not attack Mrs. McVicker until
that lady had landed a hard right upon
her jaw. What would the court have
her do-tamely turn the other cheek TO
a person who had not only shut off
her supply Of coal oil, but had severed
a friendship between brother and sis
ter that had existed since their child
hood?
That's not the question at all, Mrs.
Bulger," said his Honor What we
are wrestling with is the guilt or in
nocence of your husband as he is
charged in this complaint. l am in
clined to consider him innocent and
pursuant to that inclination will con-
tinue the case for thirty days. In the
meantime you might practice discretion
by procuring your coal oil at some
other grocery, even if you have to
pay for il"
The Rev. Father P. ]. Grey former
pastor of St Patrick's Church, ap-
peared in Judge Conlan's court as a
witness for the prosecution in the case
Of DR.. Thomas F. Brennan, accused of
stealing $37 900 from the octogenarian
priest. Very feeble did the aged priest
appear as he sat upon the witness
stand and answered the questions put
to him by the attorneys. The apparent
object of the defense was to prove his
memory defective and his testimony
/ incompetent, but on all the important
points of the accusation he seemed to
/ have clear recollection. His examina-
! ton consumed several hours and at its
/ conclusion he was taken from the
/ courtroom by medical attendant from
/ St Josephs Hospital, who had stood
/ close to him constantly and watched
/ him with solicitous care throughout the
ordeal. The hearing will be resumed
tomorrow morning.
Harry Walton. confidence man, will
not be permitted to ply his vocation
! while the knights Templar have the