The San Francisco call., 1906-07-29

of Jere Dunn. who died OF
cancer the other dag in his
home at Elizabeth. n Y, after
long suffering.
Dunn had spent the last eight months
Of his life mostly in San Francisco,
leaving here Just before the earthquake
10 go TO his home to Gle
Although his suffering here was in
tense, he made no complaint. He cont
hded TO his friends that he was in
bad way, but philosophically said that
he'd have to grin and bear 1t until the
end.
When that will be I can't say" he
remarked TO an acquaintance. but I'm
ready to quit any time" And when he
7 took to his bed it was in full knowI-
edge Of the fact that the end was not
far of. He simply lay down and wait
&c for the call
Years ago, when thick in the turmoil
OF East Side politics. Dunn became in
volved in a wrangle with Justice
sitting on the bench and shot to death
the bravo hired, his friends said, to
assassinate him. He desired TO remain
in New York and face the music. He
believed himself justified in defending
his own life at the cost of another, and
he was convinced that any jury would
set him free.
His friends argued that the judicial
influence would he used against him
with doubtful results. and they urged
him TO go away for time upon the
chance that sentiment would cool in
his absence and the pull against him
might be dissipated. Acting under ear
nest persuasion Dunn shaved off his
heavy black beard and mustache and
went first TO Chicago, where he re-
mained for a time under the name of
Matthews.
In the Illinois metropolis at that time
there was large billiard hall that had
- become the rendezvous of sportsmen of
every description. and IN this establish
: nent Dunn used OF spend much Of his
leisure time. The interior of the bill
lizard hall was lined with broad mirrors
against which the backs Of tall loung-
ing chairs were arranged.
Here it was that Dunn became ac-
qlainted with a man VINO was. perhaps.
the best known private detective in
America. The two struck up a friend
skip and had many long chat as they
watched the billiard players at their
pastime
One day the men were seated beside
each other. talking of various matters.
Reflected in the mirrors across the
billiard hall were the faces Of both, so
that each could see the expression upon
the others countenance without turn
ins his head
suddenly the detective, staring
straight at the reflected countenance of
Mr. Matthews of New York" in
quired:
DO you know a man named Dunn?"
The clean-shaven. black haired Wis
itor from the East gazed hxedly back
into the eyes Of his interrogation.
DO you mean Jere DUNN" he asked
The detective nodded an affirmative
reply.
Yes, I know him very we'll" assented
unn. never once faltering in his gaze
UNTO the mirror over the way.
IF you had a chance would you do
him a favor?" pursued the detective
4 certainly would" responded Dunn.
Then if you should happen to run
across him tell him to go to Mexico and
be quick about it."
The detective arose and shook hands
with his acquaintance. Dunn walked
out Of the billiard hall and proceeded
Immediately to a railroad train south
ward bound.
Some months later he received a tele-
gram, unsigned, suggesting that he re-
turn to the United States and give him
self up to the authorities. He knew
whom the dispatch was from and fol-
lowed the advice implicitly. 1t was in
St Louis that he surrendered to the
authorities.
The episode here described was the
beginning Of a friendship that lasted
TO the hour Of Dunn's death, for the
noted detective was one of the very last
TO press the hand of the dying man
when the death sweat was already
gathering on his brow.
WENT TO THE WAR AT I8.
The spirit OF adventure was predomi-
nant in Jere Dunn almost from in
fancy. He was but 16 at the outbreak
OF the Civil War, of course too young
TO enlist in the regular way, but he was
determined to go to the front, even as
his mother was determined that he
should do nothing. Of the sort.
So when the first trainload Of volun-
teers was about to pull out Of Oswego
Mrs Dunn missed her boy and ran down
10 the station to find him. Through
one car after another, in seats and un-
der them and even beneath the piles Of
nrewood in the woodboxes, she searched
with the eager scrutiny of an alarmed
mother.
She did not find her Jere. That young
rascal was lying on the roof of one Of
the cars. gazing down upon the head of
his mother as she passed from one
platform to the other in her futile at