davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-12-08
re Story Of Mayor and Political Boss;
a Man Is Still Judged by the Company He Ke
The Story

x is Dolphin N. Delmas the emf
nent legal wit who was chosen to
defend Harry Kendall Thaw. who
is responsible for the suggestion
that Eugene f. Schmitz. the musician
mayor Of san Francisco, is a second
edition of Nero. Of course it was q
mere verbal inspiration born in the
tumult of a heated political campaign.
but it tickled the popular ear. ard the
comparison has been charging ever
since.
And now that this once fond idol of
the common people has fallen there
are thousands of his former supporters
who accept the Nero likeness and all
that it implies. The comparison is not
so fantastic as might be supposed, de-
clare those who are pressing the
charges Of extortion against the official
who has been indicted by the grand
jury on five counts
Nero was a pOetaster. No we'll con-
ditiOned historian has denied that fact
He was suspected also of being VIC
linist, or at least a fiddler. Schmitz
was the leader of an orchestra, and a
very good one, it is said. The royal
degenerate composed odes which his
fawning courtiers declared to be
models of poetic elegance. Schmitz
did not descend to that depth of in
y
whiskers and courted the favor of the
vox populi-
Again, as the sermOnizer says. Rome
had a hagration which was almost
annihilating. and there is a tradition
that while it was hottest Nero kept
on reciting verses of his own compost
ton and that at the very moment when
the Circus Nfaximus collapsed he &C
tually fddled. Perhaps there was
some shadow of excuse for the en-
peror Stated with the blood of the
martyrs, he felt the need of a new sen
sation.
After a period of rapine and extor-
ton that makes mighty lively reading
of several pages in history the Imperial
degenerate grew so weary of the Whole
business that he=he, too one might
upon the scene of his extremely bad
conduct.
San Francisco also had an epoch
making fire No one holds Mayor
Schmitz responsible for that OF for the
earthquake which preceded it. Neither
is there any positive evidence that he
hddled while the awful destruction was
in progress. He did go away to Eu-
rope, however. and there are ugly
charges of extortion which he must
disDrove if he can
The revelations concerning the al
legged conduct Of Mayor Schmitz and
his Fidus Achates. Abraham Ruef
have aroused a whirlwind of disgust
and indignation as well as q good deal
IF amazement First came the charge
that sI.0OO.0OO sent by warm hearted
sympathizers to the earthquake and
are victims had contributed to
neartless system Of graft. This was a
matter in which the entire nation was
Interested Popular Indignation be-
came so strong that an Investigation
was ordered, ana President Roosevelt
declared that It must be exhaustive
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-12-08
A EAMoua alMcER-

Nine Media, the famous. ,prina dom
ma. is Of Scottish parentage on the IA
TIERS side. while on the maternal side
she can boast of Spanish forbears.
There are many people in Melbourne
who remember the sweet notes of lit
tie Nellie Mitchell and recall their
prophecies of her future greatness. TIC
the clever child music was second ma
ture, and when her great talent was
realized she received training in Paris
under Nine. Marchesi. Nine. Melba
made her debut nearly twenty years
ago in Brussels as Gilda in "Rigoletto"
and her first appearance in London as
Lucia. Since those days the charming
diva has gained the encomiums of the
world, singing before kings and en-
perors and enhancing all those fortu-
nate enough to hear her golden notes
It. is a fact too. we'll known to need
repetition that Nine. Media adapted he1
name from. Melbourne. the city of her
birth. During the opera season in Lon
don Nine. Melba rents. Coombe cottage,
a charming place some miles out OF
town
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-12-08
ENGLAND AND NORWAY.

Very few people are aware that the
Orkney and Shetland isles belong
strictly speaking, to Norway. To-
ward the end of the fifteenth century
King Christian OF Norway pledged
these islands to King James III OF
Scotland for the payment of the dowry
of his daughter Margaret. who became
queen of Scotland. The pledge has
never. been redeemed.
Queen Maud is. not the first British
princess to figure on the throne Of ar
Independent Norway. Phillipa, sdaugh-
ter of Henry ". became the wife Of
Erik. one of the Scandinavian union
kings. She was married in London, by
proxy on Nov. rs, 1405. and on the
same day. 500 years afterward. King
Edward Wis youngest daughter. sn-
tered Norway as it's queen
Another English princess who be-
came queen. of Norway was the un-
happy Caroline Matilda, sister. Of
George III. and. consort Of Christiau
VII who died in 7~~
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-12-08

features of the municipal crookedness.
Ruef was alarmed. but by no means
beaten. He was too bright lawyer
not to realize that his position was
exceedingly precarfous. but he ,hac
been the boss OF san Francisco toe
long to yield without a fight. He knew
that the energetic Heney and the
United States secret service man hac
secured evidence that would result ir
his Indictment by the grand jury, anc
he determined to prevent such an out
come if possible. To that end he pre-
vailed on the subservient acting mayor
to remove District Attorney Lapgdor
and to appoint him to the Office. This
was actually done. and Ruef, with an
audacity that has never been exceeded
in legal history, became his own prose
cutor.
The court to which an appeal was
taken decided that the removal Of
Langdon was illegal and that Ruefs
appointment was invalid.
SETH E. MACKEY..
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-12-08

self in his true coIors. It was not long
before every proprietor of these in
famous resorts knew that if he would
reopen he must first "see' Abe Ruef.
The few who were so shortsighted as
to neglect this precaution were unde-
ceived with a promptness that opened
their eyes. 1t was made evident that
those whose licenses had been revoked
were powerless until they had secured
the legal aid of Ruef He accepted
their money as retainer fees, being par
ticular to give receipts therefor in
which the term for legal services
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-12-08

matters to a crisis. Schmitz went to
Germany with the avowed purpose of
seeing for himself how it was that the
insurance companies We're so slow in
adjudicating the claims of the fire suf-
ferers. Ruef, the brains of the admin
istration, was left in control of the
city
Then the fight began. The acting
mayor and the eighteen supervisors
were entirely under the spell of the
willy and energetic little boss. District
Attorney Langdon, who had been elect
ed on the Schmitz ticket, turned out to
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-12-08

embargo. It has never been made clear
that the mayor accepted any of this
corruption fund. but Ruef, the power
behind the throne. does not deny that
he has received fees from the proprie-
tors of the joints as an attorney to
promote their interests.
Schnlitz is a native Of the Golden
Gate City. and although only little
past forty is now serving his third
term as mayor. He was elected to the
inayoralty without the aid of either of
the great party organizations, being
the candidate or the Union Labor rar-
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-12-08
EUGENE E. sCHM1Tz.

deliver attitude. a veritable holdup.
For nearly two years the alleged OBJ
Jectionable relations between the so
called French restaurants and the
municipal administration had been a
matter Of public denunciation. These
resorts. which We're destroyed by the
great fire. We're the objects of bitter
attack from the pulpit and the press.
The agitation for their suppression
had been so active that the city off,
Gals were compelled to make a show
Of getting rid OF them Their licenses
We're taken away. and they were locked
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-12-08

up. But not for long. One by one
they were opened again, and it was
not long until the nefarious traffic was
in full swing. Some of the newspapers
of the state charged openly that a fund
amounting to many thousands OF dol
lars had been collected and that this
money had found it's way into official
hands with the design of lifting the
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-12-08

That the revelations promise to be as
founding. involving some of those who
were prominent in distributing money
and supplies to the dazed and home
less population of the stricken city
does not enter into the present dis
cussiOn.
The specific charges against Schmitz
and Ruef allege a deliberate stand and
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-12-08

was conspicuous. AS a result, the vile
places began to flourish again, and
Abe Ruef's pocketbook began to grow
plethopic.
1t was small wonder that San Fran
cisco became very tired of the rule of
this pair The ugly rumors that were
in circulation concerning the distribu-
tian of tho relief frrd helped to brlng
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-12-08

be another Joseph W. Folk and an
nounced his intention to bring crook
edness to book no matter where it
might be found To aid him Langdon
employed Francis J. Heney, the lawyer
who prosecuted the oregon land
thieves so successfully The latter and
a secret service agent began at once
to ferret ort some CT the leading
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-04-26
NEW PHASE OF DOWIE CASE
Creditors seek to Have Founder of
Zion city Declared
Bankrupt.

CHICAGO. April 25-Involuntary bank
ruptcy proceedings were started late this
afternoon against John Alexander Dowie
individually before Judge X. NJ. lands.
Ransom f. Walker is one OF the pettionns z
creditors He is guardian of the estate OF
Ethel B. Foley minor and conservator Of
'HViiila,fi T. Folesa !. TGo cia.nis inXoieed
amount to 1900 Dowies liabilities are
not actually known at this time. His as
sets are said to be about $2,5O0,OO0. Hearing
was set for next Monday morning.
The action taken today threatens to dis
rupt Zion City in its present unsettled
state. The filing of the petition also
places some knotty points of law before
the court for an untangling. The Zion
City property, estimated to be worth any
where from $l5,00O,OO0 to $2OOOO,OOO is now
claimed by two factions of the church. led
by DIR. Dowe and General Overseer VII.
bur Glenn Volva.
Before a receiver is appointed on the pc
tition in bankruptcy filed today the United
States court will endeavor to determine
who has the proper title TO the property
Whatever may be the decision Ions
drawn out legal fight is promised.
Dowie's legal advisors declare that h,
is solvent beyond question and that tn,
bankruptcy proceedings viii serve to prov,
this assertion
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-04-26
TWO CATTLEMEN kRRAIGNED
Plead Not Guilty 20 ConApiracy to
Defraud Government Out
of Lands.

SIOUX FALLS. s. D.. April 2S.--(speclal
Telegram the United States court to-
day John Mcclure and Howard A. Binford
were arraigned before Judge Garland and
pleaded not guilty to an Indictment char
cling them with engaging in a conspiracy to
defraud tho United States government out
OF tracts of public land in western South
Dakota. Mcclure and Binford were Jointly
indicted with Thomas H. Ayers. John 7.
Newell and Carl Petan, the first two
named having filed a plea Of not guilty
several days ago, while Petan last satur-
day pleaded guilty and was sentenced 10
Imprisonment for a period OF one year in
the Hughes county Jail at Pierre and fined
5000. The trial Of the cases against Mo
Guire. Binford. Ayers and Newell have
been continued until the October term OF
the federal court In Sioux Falls.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-04-26
KANSAS DEMOCRATS MEET
Former senator William A. Harris
Nominated for Governor by
AcclamRtiOn.

TOPEKA, kan, April 25.-The demo-
cratic state convention tonight made the
following nominations for state officers by
PROCLAMATION:
Governor William A. Harris. Lyndon;
lieutenant governor H. 7. Farely, Cha
mute; attorney general. David Overmyer,
Topeka; secretary Of state, Hugh c. Ahl-
born, Smith county; superintendent OF pub
lie instruction, A. B. Carney, COncordia
state auditor. William Bowen, Atchison;
state treasurer, Patrick German. Bourbon
county; railroad commissioners, Harry Nc
MILAN, Ottawa; c. 4, Cooper, Rice county;
James Humphrey, Geary county; justices
OF the supreme court, w. S. Glass, Mar
shall county. and Lorenzo Hawn. Leaven-
worth, for four years. A. NJ. jackson,
Cowley county, and ID. NJ Dale, Sedgwick
county, for six years; insurance commits
sioner. ]. W. Murphy, Russell; for state
printer, W. +. FEEDER, Barton county.
William A Harris. candidate for gov
ernOr, was formerly United States senator
from Kansas He was confederate
soldier i'm the civil war and was one OF
the engineers who built the Union Pacific
railroad.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-04-26
PREDICTS QUAKE FOR HAVANA
Austrian Scientist says PhenOmena of
Nature Indicates n ShakeuP
Next Month

HAVANA. April 25.-Prof. J. F. Nowack
of Vienna. who is lecturing before the
Cuban institute Of scientists on phenomena
OF nature. said that his studies OF the con-
dition OF plant life in the vicinity Of Ha-
vana. combined with peculiarties in the
suns appearances, indicate a violent earth
quake and tidal wave between May Is ana
10 which will sweep the seaward part OF
Havana, including the suburb OF Vedadedo.
Being questioned closely Prof. Nowack
said that while the conditions pointed pos
itively 60 a disturbance he could not guar
antee It's appearance,
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-04-26
ANTITRUST SUITS in TEXAS
Charters of Armour, Swift and Fort
Worth Live stock Corporations
Attacked.

AUSTIN. Tex, April 25.-As a result Of
antitrust investigation made by Judge j.
II. IAghtfoot. assistant to the attorney
general. twenty-one antitrust suits wore
filed today in the Twenty-slxth district
court by the state, involving penalties OF
SI7OOO,OOO. It is sought by the state to for
felt the charters and permits Of the Fort
Worth 1--we Stock exchange and all It's
members, the Fort Worth Stock Yards
company. Armour & Co. and Swift and
Company. These corporations are charged
with maintaining a monopoly and conspir-
acy in restraint Of trade
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-04-26
Fair and Cooler Thursday. Friday
Fair.
EULoGIES ON THE FARMER
EnthusiastIo Tributes Paid 10 TiIIera
OF the Soil by Congress-
men.

WASHINGTON, April 25.-The ears of
the American farmer must have burned
today because OF the eulogies and tributes
to his energy, devotion and patriotism paid
him by members of the house during the
consideration OF the agricultural appropri-
alton bill. Next to the achievements Of
the American farmer the American hen
came In for unstinted praise for her in
dustry and her usefulness. her champion
being Mr.. Dawson da.), who contributed
a thoughtful speech to the literature OF
the farm.
The presidents message recommending an
appropriation Of $4,000 for Mare Island
navy yard was read and referred to the
committee on appropriations.
Without reaching an agreement as to the
limit of general debate on tho agricultural
bill 1t went over until tomorrow, the fea-
lures of the bill not being touched upon.
Immediately after the completion OF the
routine business today the senate took up
and passed the bill amending the law to
give allotments Of land to the Indians.
An amendment for the cession of the
lands Of the Blackfeet Indian reservation
in Montana was adopted. after being modi-
fed so as not to prohibit the bringing
OF suits regarding water rights in the res
ervation.
The bill was then laid aside and the mes
sage Of the president regarding the en-
ployment OF labor on government works
in the vicinity OF San Francisco was or
dered printed.
Mr.. Flint followed the reading of the mes
sage by Immediately introducing bill ap-
propriating 10000 for the employment OF
extra labor in the navy yard at Mare
island
Mr.. Tillman made an effort to have a
day fixed for a vote on the railroad bill,
but was again unsuccessful. Mr.. spooner
gave notice of a speech for tomorrow on
that bill and Mr. Clark of Arkansas for a
speech on Friday on the same question
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-04-26
FUNDS PAID IN ARE USED UP
Contributions for California Relief Spent
for Provisions that Are Sent,
SEVERAL THOUSAND YET TO Be COLLECTED
Public schools Add over seven Hum
dred Dollars, which is Pleasant
Surprise to AlI-wOrk
Goes Forward.

Treasurer Drake OF the Omaha-san Fran
cisco relief committee announces that some
thing over $4,000 already has been spent
for food supplies sent to California. This
practically uses up the funds contributed
and paid in up to Saturday night. but sew
eral thousand dollars are outstanding that
will more than cover the initial expense
incurred in making arrangements TO feed
refugees passing through Omaha eastward.
Nothing has been done by the committee
toward buying fresh supplies for the
earthquake victims.
Public school children Tuesday con-
tributed t72394 in money and carload
and half of foodstuffs in excellent con-
ditiUn. The money has been taken care
of by Superintendent Davidson and was
paid over to the relief committee Wednes-
day. The provisions will be loaded within
a day or two and included in some OF
the many relief trains the Union Pacific
is running to the coast
Schools Give Surprise.
The cash contributions from the schools
surprised Superintendent Davidson and
everyone else. Nothing nearly so large
was anticipated. OF the grade schools
the Central sent the biggest single dona-
tion, S10057. Miss Fitch, the principal
had to make two trips to the city hal
with the cash because one little gir
absent Tuesday cried Wednesday morning
on arriving with a gift of so cents, under
the impression that she was too late. To
comfort her Miss Fitch made specia
trip to the city hall with the half dollar
The boys In the eighth grade at tho
Beals school collected forty-tive dozer
eggs in their locality, sold them in the
commission district and devoted the pro
ceeds to the relief fund. Practically
every one of the 1900 school children
of the city gave something. The pennies
and small coins filled a tin ballot boa
and Superintendent Davidson was puzzled
about what TO do with the amount lat
| Tuesday evening. 1t was finally place.
in the vault of President McCague Of thu
Board of Education
] Mayor Zimman Wednesday morning ap
pointed Passenger Agent West of tn,
! Northwestern to have charge on behal
of the local relief committee of trans
portation arrangements eastward for tn
! refugees.
Schmitz Wires Thanks.
w. H. Green, president Of the Omahi
Real Estate exchange, wednesday morning
received belated reply to his Telegram
to Mayor Schmitz of San Francisco, sen
last Wednesday on behalf OF the exchange
! The reply was sent from San Francisc
| wednesday morning, and 1t read:
1--WE deeply appreciate your sympath
and offer of service" SCHMITZ, Mayor.
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-04-26
NEW york BANKER ON GROUND
w. A. sinionsOn Brings Good News
from the East.

w. A. sinionsOn Brings Good News
from the East.
SAN FRANCISCO, April 25.-W. A. ST.
monson, vice president of the National City
bank Of New York. which has the largest
financial connections in this city of any
OF the eastern banking institutions has
come to San Francisco as the personal
representative OF his bank. Today he made
a cheering announcement TO the effect that
the National City bank will do all in its
power to aid in the rebuilding OF San Fran
cisco. The institution for which he speaks
is one OF the strongest banks in the United
States Among it's directors are E. II.
Hartman, Jacob H. schin and william
Rockefeller.
On learning of the earthquake. Mr.. Simon
son took the first train out Of New York
for San Francisco. In an interview today
he said:
'T have been deeply impressed by the
courage with which you are facing this
situation and the wisdom and Judgment
which is being displayed in meeting it. The
unquestioned solvency of your banks and
the fact that they will be prepared to meet
all reasonable demands will go far toward
the maintenance of confidence in the COM
munity.
! I'm the necessities Of the present and the
requirements OF the future. in the restora-
/ tion Of your city and its business I assure
! you that the National City bank of New
York is prepared and intends to extend
/ TO you IT'S resources and influence. We
I stood up for Galveston, we stood up fol
Baltimore and now we are going to stand
up for San Francisco
TN my opinion eastern capital. ih general
realizing that the disaster which has
wrecked San Francisco may not be repeated
before the end OF time will not hesitate
to again invest largely in this city"
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-04-26
FOUR VICTIMS FROM DAKOTA CITY
Old Residents of that Place Lose life
in SaE Francisco.


I'm SaE FranctscO.
DAKOTA CITY. Neb. April 25.-(Special) }
From news so far obtainable Dakota
county furnished four victims for the great
California disaster in the persons Of Albert
H. Bliven. wife and two daughters Mrs.
Ed Mason and Miss Dolly Bliven. Edwin
Bliven manager of the Akron Milling COM
pany at this place and son of Mr.. Bliven,
received the following telegram this after
noon from San Francisco: Albert H.
BIiven. wife and two daughters killed at
Palace hotel The telegram is signed
Palace Hotel. A telegram was at once
sent to another son, Theodore r. Bliven
who but recently removed from this place
TO Santa Rosa. Cal. to go at once 10 San
Francisco 90 further investigate the tele-
graphic news, Mr.. Bliven was one OF the
pioneer residents of this county. leaving
here about five years ago and locating In
Eureka. Cal Mr and Mrs. Bliven left here
about two months ago for their home ii
California after an extended visit with rel
atives
Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-04-26
Nomination.. Cnrnrmed.

WASHINGTON, April E.-Nominations
confirmed:
BENJAMIN +, Marshall, United States mar
shal. territory OF Arizona.
Postmasters; Kansas, j. NJ Chisham,
AtchisOn: II. Jermark, Beloit: s. p Knapp.
Clyde. j. H.. Stevens GOOdland. Missouri.
S, IS, Keifner, Perryville; @. w. SchWeer.
Windsor. Montana, {. C. Chahin, Hamil-
ton. Nebraska, +. w. Barnhart Harting-
tom A. +. EnOs. Stanton.