davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1908-01-21
Aged Hermit Rancher
Is Slain by Robbers
Huri Heavy Rock on
x. A. Cordes and Ransack
His Cabin for Gold

TRACY, Jan. 20.-R. Atger Cordes. a
murdered in the kitchen of his cabin,
near the Western Pacific tracks. at
Midway, close to the Alameda county
line, late Saturday night or early SUM-
day morning. Robbery was the mo-
tive, as Cordes was believed TO have
his house. Every nook and corner in
the house was ransacked inithe search
for the hidden coin.
A 20 pound rock was hurled at the
old man as he was cooking doves. and
his shotgun was broken off at the stock
by the blow. A bullet hole in a post
on the front porch shows that he must
have fired a shot from the revolver
he had strapped to his waist. After
wounding the man the robbers tied hts
hands with cotton rope. This he broke
in his death struggles.
Coroner Wallace has evidence to
show where the rope was purchased
by a man living not far from the
Cordes ranch Saturday morning This
and other evidence in the possession
of the officers may lead to the arrest
of several ranchers. Cordes lived in
fear of being robbed. He had bowie
knives hung few feet apart all about
the walls of his house. and last week
he bought large revolver. He said
he would rather bury or lend his
money to friends than to place it in
banks He leaves two cousins. ranch
ers near here. Farmers In the neigh
borhood say that If the murderers are
caught no mercy will be given them
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1908-01-21
PRIESTS DIRECTED TO
CAUSE PRAYER. FOR RAIN
Bishop Conaty Sends Letter
With Instructions TO Each
Parish in Diocese

Los ANGELES Jan. 2o.-Right Rev.
Thomas j. Conaty. bishop Of this do
cese, has issued directions TO all the
priests of the diocese and their congre-
cations to pray for rain. A letter with
Instructions how to proceed IN this
matter has been sent to each parish in
the city and vicinity
a special prayer for rain Will be in
serted in each mass. and the Catholics
will follow out this plan until the
dowEpour comes. Bishop Conaty issued
similar order once before. There are
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1908-01-21
UNMASKED
RUFF BEGS
FOR DELAY
Boss. InsoIence Falls Away as
He Pleads for Brief
Continuance
sx@
Intense Nervousness Takes the
Place OF Crocodile Tears
o. and Assurance
Clashes With Burns Over For
mer Chauffeur, Who Will
- Give Testimony
st4Ahs
Ruef's Trial 'on Trolley Bribery
Case Goes Over Until
Tomorrow M

Brought to bay at last, with all
hope of the immunity on which
ne has so long relied torn from
him and only vision of years
behind prison walls ahead, Abe
Ruef clutched yesterday at the
only straw which seemed to Of
fer promise of postponing for a
few short days the beginning of
the trial from which he has SO
much to fear. Through George
Keane, who acted as his mouth
piece, Ruef let fall his mantle
of i1solent independence, pro-
claimed himself a weakling un-
able to secure counsel who could
preserve his rights and pleaded
with the court to grant him three
weeksEtwo weeks. even single
week-of grace 'in which to pre-
pare to defend himself
The prospect OF immediate
trial has changed Ruef more in
4S hours than eight months OF
Imprisonment and contant dick
ering have done. 1t was not the
smiling, debonair, confident Ruef
who sat in Judge Lawlors
court yesterday morning, but a
worn. haggard Individual, too in
tent on the details Of his battle for
time even 10 attempt to keep up the
sham which has shielded him so long.
Even the keen, quick glance Of the eye
and the sunny affability which he has
never before allowed to depart for an
instant were gone and Ruef showed
himself. possibly for the first time,
stripped clean of every vestige Of pre-
tense and make believe.
DROPS HIS PRETENsE
Ruers intense excitement and ner-
vousness while the proceedings before
Judge Lawlor were in progress yester-
day morning were not the mimicry OF
rehearsed action. such the tears he
shed when he played his part before
Judge Dunne eight months ago, utter
ing meaningless plea Of guilt and
promising the support to decency which
ne had no intention OF giving His
attitude was IN vivid contrast to that
Of Eugene z. schmitz. who sat with
his attorneys serene and almost smil-
ing There was also an expression OF
suppressed satisfaction on the faces of
the attorneys for the indicted corpora
ton magnates. who sat IN a little
group taking the deepest interest in
all that was transpiring.
The appearance OF Alec Latham,
Ruers former chauffeur, who has been
missing for several months, caused a
stir in court and was the cause of an
open clash. between Ruef and Special
Agent Burns Latham figures as an
important witness against Ruef and
some of the higher up graft defend
ants. as he was constantly with Ruef
during the halcyon bribery days OF the
old administration. and made the ia
nous trip on which Ruef carried the
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1908-01-21

NAPA. Jan. 20-Foster H. Roper. q
widely known and highly respected
pioneer citizen of this county. died at
his home here this afternoon. aged 7s.
He was a native Of Massachusetts and
is survived by a wife and nve adult
children. His only daughter is the wife
OF exCongressman Frank l. coombs.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1908-01-21
Irnpertinent Question No. "a

What's fhe Msffer With fhe Appellate Cour7
For the most original or wittest answer to this ques
ton and the bnefer the better-The Call will pay
i FIVE DOLLARS. For the next FIVE answers
The Call will pay ONE DOLLAR each. Prize
winning answers will be printed next Wednesday
and checks mailed to the winners at once Make
your answer short and address it to
IMPERTINENT QUESTIONS.
s-sss THE CALL
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1908-01-21

Eugene Schtz (upper) whose careless attitude in
with the nervous haggard expression by
Abraham Rue Qower to lefty; also photograph of Alex
Latham formerly Ruef's chauffeur, talk with whom
Ruef clashed with Detective Burns.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1908-01-21
TUESDAY, JANUARY 2l. 1908
TELEPHONE KEARNY SO
WEATHER CONDITIONS
NEWS TO-DAY

YEsTERDAY-Raiu; east wind; maximum
temperature, "a; minimum, so
FORECAST FOR T0DAY-Cloudy: somewhat
cooler; fresh north winds Page IL
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1908-01-21
COAST
EASTERN

Tetrazzini ronses New Yor
pitch OF enthusiasm by her
di Lsmmermoor."
Jerome's pitiless questions
Thaw's simplicity and revei
astute woman Of world.
BrIstow's report shows an
in traffic on the Panama rail
Secretary cortelyou explain
on Panama canal bond 4
10 senate.
Cortelyou viii resign this
senators inform democrats.
Pennsylvania state supreme
fare law unconstitutional.
Home Of Theodore +. Sh
by customs officials. who Z,
in gowns said to have bee
f-o17eea.u
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1908-01-21
GRAFT
BANK FAILURE

Ruef, unmasked. nervous and excited. plead
for few weeks delay. but Langdon IS ohdu
rate Page
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1908-01-21
FOREIGN

French public looks on story of plot to destro
feet as fantastic creation. Page
Plot 10 blow up feet is crushe,
by the Brazilian police who take anarchist
into custody. Page
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1908-01-21

Friends OF James Tresdwen supply bail snd
the banker is released from Jail. Page 3
CITY
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1908-01-21

Miss Anita Dasss invites girls Of younger set
today Page 8
The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1908-11-22
Irving Work Done

The men who have been at work
on thc Irving slide, ID the employ 81
ono or more private property own.
efs, were yesterday paid on and sey.
|eral oi them who were down from
Portland for Tie work have returned
there The sluicing has now been
virtually completed. at least the sink
holes or ponds have been cut into
land ilerc now should be drainage
enplgh N prevent any further bad
movement 81 the hillside, II Is
thought The street committee OF
the council has been asked to sec Il
the employees oi the ely street dc.
parlment cannot keep some little
watch On The place during the rest
IF the winter 80 as to keep the
draina open Last night one Of the
FieHhtfs VI the streets committee
sid that there apparently Is no Oh,
lection 70 this course
The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1908-11-22
$8,782,4i6
New Church Carpet

Grace Episcopal church is again to
be congratulated upon being able to
secure new carpet for the bcauti-
fui edifice. Some 20 years ago the
ladies through the leadership Of Mrs,
WestdahI raised funds for carpet
for the "new church, and after the
wear 81 20 years on this carpet II
naturally became necessary for the
church TO have a new one. Through
Mrs. Il. M. Bakers efforts the church
cook book was put on the market SO
as TO raise funds for a new carpet
and as all know this book has in
every way been success. Eight
months ago when Mrs. Baker moved
10 Portland, Mrs. H. G Van Dusen
became the leader to carry on the
work of obtaining the new carpet,
and today the church is beautifully
carpeted 10 me utmost satisfaction
u the rector and the whole church
membership.
The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1908-11-22
Fine Vaudeville.

I.ass night At The Bakeronian the
people enjoyed ape Of the neatest
shows ever seen IN Astoria. One Of
shc main features was the first apr
psarahca here oi lhe great TfavioIas
IN 4 very neat and pleasing juggling
act The managers are to be greatly
praised on the class Of show they are
giving and w ION witi tie people in
wishing them success.
The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1908-11-22
Al Grace eharsA

All Grace EpisH0p NB s
evening II go e|n ~ siIE
Of decided interest va at|I9sa
BY Mr. r. Y Mitchell Ns
drsws Brotherhood
should not BIZ mitssd ~ 6NlF y
desire 10 hear i saik
esllence upon an u'insH Nl
The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1908-11-22
Mi Anderson Withdraws

fth n n fffHH NFNHAF4 w
I Y Anderson yesterday withdrew
Its name Is a candidate for the Office
|of water commissioner from the
Fouytb ward, and inasmuch as Mr.
Pessfscn lad already Withdrawn
Ellefv afe now two vacancies IN that
wafd ipf this Office. II Is understood
tAlas MAJ Anderson withdrew his
naAit FIX the reason that the proVis-
Ion of The charter requiring that ey-
cry candidate must pay SIS city taxes
pFeelnded him from running. II is
alsD mia That The same provision
may apply III one or more Of the
other candidates Il was yesterday
aaid that Ben Young possibly is the
only man I'll thc Fourth ward whose
lAg payments would permit him 10
he candidate, though investigation
tends ,o show that perhaps this IS
driving The line too closely. II is
sald thas tomorrow the names Of two
men Who evidently can quality will
he named for The vacancies In the
Fourth ward the provision Of tho
hafser n being criticized somewhat
NJ Rather humorous color Is
u ID tie whole mstier By the
that the Port d Astoria bill
ns 4 similar provision, requir-
M commissioner W pay $2s
A and y ~ said TINT 81 shc
named on this commits
No or three can appafens-
The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1908-11-22
AFalr Exehanga M Rebbsll

There were two silk urnhftllas s
"A AZ the Philharmcnls eoutes An
AW Tuesday night which were prA
eats 10 their owners; And Il she pkFs
sons having them viii kindly felHge
them 10 this Office, they can pEpeafs
order Cor two umbrellas eaHaA IN
lae. u any they may baye lost
lAat evening
The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1908-11-22
0Ia Spinning Wheel

old Spinning Wheel
III the windows If THE A#oria
Furniture Company on Commercial
street Is an old spinning wheel and
II attracted much attention ysslss
day and last night from The Saturday
shoppers. This old spinning wheel
eame across the plains N 1870 %
0gegon, aud then was owned BY NJ
HhaHells grandmosher and hks
ee remained IN their family II II
landally built and looks as i
ad been made aby hand Il was
made to be run BY tread, how'
huf the wheel was turned nv
The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1908-11-22

The 81 Agnes 0alia NJ FH
church have completed aFtsa
iof an organ recital Il hs ~ n
Grace church IN Friday eeenlM Na
vember 9th Mlss f ~
be ofganisi. Mg. a. a riach
Mr.. w. r Gratke wiIl Be ,he so'a
and Miss Esther sunaaalss
The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1908-11-22
VALUATIONS Of CITY
AND COUNTY
COUNTY CLERK COMPLETES
SEGREGATION OF ALL
BUT ROAD DISTRICTS

Mr. Clinton. the county clerk, yes
icrday completed the segregation Of
the valuations of property through
out The towns and cities Of the
county, as shown on the 1908 as
scssment roll. The segregations
among the road districts will not be
finished until some time this week.
The segregation completed yesterday
shows the valuation Of Astoria prop
crty to be S3.4o0,47S. The entire
valuation in fhc county Is $s782,416
Following are the segregations in
the cities and towns, and the last
item shows the valuation Of all the
property outside Of cities and towns:
The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1908-11-22

eNitfslaY wrfe
Lawrence Roecfa
5000 people bad
l|le game which
peFl hoop rollers
pIls pn ai she
ehl Md lAait arl
e n really Al *.
The ffaVloias
erouian All thin
nR, she z7fh
plpe.ofRan
church
The N
balne
III Sh
MFs
viii
lnn
he
The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1908-11-22

The Grac
their next
Brenham
afternoon,
articles fas
Christmas
The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1908-03-07
T~HIRTY-NINTH DAY.

The fact that the members of the leg
~islature are anxious to finish up the
work ahead of them was demonstrated
when the members of the House decided
to hold a night session, for the transac-
ton of legislative floor work. In addi-
ton to a number of bills passed, several
other matters received attention. Nota-
bic among these was the adoption of a
privilege resolution offered by Mr.. Alcorn
to appropriate the sum of $3.50, to be
used in the proper entertainment of Mr..
Bryan on Saturday. In moving the adop-
ton of the resolution, Mr.. Alcorn stated
that it was nothing but right that they
show their appreciation of their expected
guest by taking proper steps to do him
honor, and the House passed the resolu-
ton without dissent, the money to be
set aside out of the contingent fund.
The House also tonight passed, by a
rising vote, the Vance joint resolution
memorialzing Congress to pass a law au-
thorizing the secretary of the treasury
to pro rate the war cotton tax funds now
held in the United States treasury to the
cotton States of the South, to be dis
tributed among the soldiers and sailors
iof the Confederacy. or their dependent
widows: The resolution calls on the
members of Congress and senators from
the State to take all proper steps to en-
compass the passage of such a law by
Congress.
The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1908-03-07
FORTY.SECOND DAY.

A notable victory for the advocates of
county prison reform and for putting an
end to the leasing of county c%onvicts was
scored today when the Senate, by a vote
of 25 to l3 on reconsideration, passed
the Hebron bill, prohibiting the leasing
of county convicts to so-called contract
ors. There was a spirited and long
drawn out conflict on the floor. but those
who favor a departure from the custom
Of leasing convicts literally snatched
victory from the jaws of defeat.
After a full and free discussion the
Senate this afternoon, by a decisive vote,
laid on the table the McGehee bill pro-
viding for the sale of the old capital and
grounds, or rather recommitted the bill.
The House adopted, without debate,
the Joint resolution to memorabilia Con-
gress to adopt such laws as will lead to a
broadening of the market for cotton
goods.
Two bills, one to improve on the pres
ent game laws and the other to increase
the pay of the enlisted men of the Ma
tional Guard, were called up, considered
and after much discussion were indef
nitely postponed.
The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1908-03-07
FORTY-FIRST DAY.

The House committee on railroads held
a final meeting this afternoon to con-
slider the bills and propositions before it
relative to reduction of passenger rates
on the roads in Mississippi. There was
an animated though good natured session
when the final question, "What will we
do with it ?" was ~canvassed. The result
was hat by a vote of Q to 7 it was de-
cided to report back ~unfavorably all
bills with the rate reduction plan in
view. This is in line with the action of
the Senate committee in voting down the
same proposition. There will be a mi
nOrity report, but under the rules any
bill with an adverse report goes to the
back of the calendar, only to be called
up by unanimous consent out of order.
The chances of any legislative action on
railroad rates is therefore very slim.
In both branches a debate was had on
the subject of constitutional prohibition.
The House rccOnsidered the vote on the
same proposition had several days ago,
when it was found that the friends OF
constitutional prohibition had gained a
number of adherents. The ultimate set
Element of the question is still indefinite
and is involved in doubt.
The Senate had under consideration
the House concurrent resolution propos-
ing to submit to the voters next Novem-
Der all amendments adopted at this ses-
sion. so that they can be incorporated
in the constitution at the next succeed
ing session of the same Legislature. the
question was explained by Mr.. Mahon,
chairman of the constitution committee,
but the requisite two-thirds could not
be secured.
The Adair banking bill. which the au-
thor believes would 90 far toward the
checking and suppressing altogether of
wildcat banking. and the establishment
of such institutions upon sound and ac-
tual cash principles, was called up in the
House by it's author this morning, but
after discussion was recommitted.
A message from the Senate announced
the passage of sundry bills and resolu-
tions. Among these was the bill TO APP
prOpriate money for the support and
work of the branch experiment station
at Stonewall, in Washington county, and
the concurrent resolutions incorporating
the last duly adopted amendments into
the constitution, that regulating the
granting of donations or gratuities by
the Legislature, and that repeating the
enumeration section No. los of the con-
stitution. The Senate also reported the
adoption of the McLaurin resolution
making the salary of the elevator boy
S35 a month during the session of the
Legislature, a most meritorious measure.
The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1908-03-07
~FORTY.THIRD DAY.

The Legislature devoted itself to con
siderable routine work today in both
branches, the House meeting at night
in order to advance the calendar matter
as much as possible, owing to the inter
ruption tomorrow IN the occasion of
Mr.. Bryan's visit. The Senate, by a vote
of % to Is, defeated the concurrent res
olution providing for an elective judi
ciary amendment to be voted on next
fall. The resolution lacked seven votes
of receiving the constitutional two-thirds
vote of the Senate. The House passed
the bill providing for a reassessment OF
lands for the year 1908 in those
ties in which the boards of supervisors
deem it necessary. There was a warm
debate, which at times approached the
acrimonious, but the waters were Gained
and the bill passed by a good majority.
The House also passed the privilege
tax chapter of 1906, with a few amend
ments, changing certain privileges, with
very little opposition.
The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1908-03-07
will be taken by the House coyamittee az

will be taken by the House cogamittee az
to the House bills.
The Senate devoted the greater part
of the day to the consideration ana ultr
mate killing of the Hebron county con
vict leasing bill, which was defeated by
the close vote of 90 to 10, on q motion
to indefinitely postpone.
The House passed the bill to- amend
the oyster catching laws of 1905 under
the Bloomfield bill, which went through
without a dissenting vote.
The fight against the bill to regulate
the terms of chancery courts, as being
violative of public policy and Leaving
the way open to judicial construction,
was led by Mr.. Johnston of Coahena,
and the trend of argument of those who
shared his views was that the bill was
unwise and violative of the rights of the
chancellors to conduct their own courts.
The bill passed by a vote of GA to %.
The House committee on constitution
reorted favorably a resolution to effect
an amendment providing for an elective
judiciary, and also to empower the legis-
lature to increase the supreme bench
from three to five members.
The House committee on public health
and quarantine also f~avorably reported
the Holmes bill, providing for a State
chemical and pathological laboratory at
the capitol, and the King bill, providing
for a change in the methods of securing
writs of lunacy by employing three prac-
ticing physicians instead of a jury of
six laymen.
The Senate, during the afternoon ses-
sion, disposed of some unfinished bust
ness, which included consideration of the
bill to regulate the service of all tele-
phone companies and require prompt at
%tention, under penalties of $25 fine for
failure to comply with its provisions,
which was passed.
Just as the Senate had gotten to a
point where adjournment for the day
was in sight, Mr.. Engle fired a bomb
shell by introducing the famous anti
lobbyist resolution, known as the Sample
resolution of 1906.
The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1908-03-07

One of the English "suffragettes,"
who tried, but vainly, to start the doc
trine of force in this country, has been
telling London that suffrage is
checked in this country by the gallant
~ Of the men. who say the women
can have anything they ask for, and
by the folly of the women, who reply
that they have already everything
they want. She seems, with true
British d~enseness, to be utterly obliv-
ious of the excellent showing she is
making for us all around.
The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1908-03-07

Cable lines look straight enough as
seen on the maps, but they are any
thing but straight as they lie on the
ocean floor. DR.. Klotz of Canada said
in a recent lecture that the great Pa
cifc cable, 5000 miles long. between
Vancouver and New Zealand was
time and again detected from a
straight line between the island sta
tions at which it touched in order
to avoid towering submarine noun
tains or craters or ground that was
hard or otherwise undesirable as a
resting place for the cable.
The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1908-03-07

The Ohio state fire marshal has been
looking up the records and makes the
announcement that last year in the
United States parlor matches caused
a loss of 81, 1000 and 500 lives.
That is a serious and tragic matter.
But it is not fair to lay the blame
wholly on the matches. They may
be dangerous, but as a rule they do
not start fires spontaneously. 1t is
the human factor that must be reck-
oned with, and unfortunately, there
is a great deal of carelesness,
thoughtlessnesS and stupidity in the
world.
The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1908-03-07
FORTIETH DAY.

; The Senate committee on railroads to-
day, by the decisive vote of z to 2, re-
ported adversely on the proposed two
cent passenger fare law, and will take
similar action on all railroad legislation
presented of similar character.
There was no meeting OF the House
committee on railroads today, and Chair
man Foster, of the committee, intimated
that there would not be a report until
after a final melting of the committee to-
morrow afternoon. The feeling is. quite
general that there will be no bill re-
turned with a favorable report, the
Senate bill having been killed in commit
tee, and it is believed that similar action